Freedom and Determinism: A Philosophical Exploration
Theological Determinism
Theological determinism, or predestination, argues that God’s omniscience implies predetermination. If God knows all, it’s because God has determined all, including human actions. This raises questions about human responsibility, sin, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. This viewpoint was central to the Protestant Reformation, which emphasized predestination and the absence of free will.
The Catholic Counter-Reformation offered a counter-argument, proposing that God and
Read MoreDescartes’ Rationalism and the Existence of God
Argument of Causality
Applied to the Idea of God
The idea of God as an objective reality requires a proportionate cause. The idea of infinity requires an infinite cause, which can only be God. Therefore, God exists.
Applied to the Self
I exist, but that requires a reason. That reason cannot be found within myself. Therefore, I was caused by another being, which was either caused or uncaused. This chain of causality ultimately leads to a being that is not caused by anyone, i.e., God. Therefore, God exists.
Read MoreThe Four Contexts of Scientific Activity and the Philosophy of Science
The Four Contexts of Scientific Activity
Echeverria Raichenbach criticizes the common misunderstanding of reducing science to solely scientific knowledge. They argue that science is an activity and cannot be restricted to the cognitive aspects. Expanding on traditional concepts, they propose four contexts of scientific activity:
1. Teaching and Dissemination Context
This context encompasses the teaching of scientific concepts, language, imaging techniques, and equipment management. It spans from the
Read MoreVampire Religion and Capitalism: A Critical Analysis of Gothic Literature and Culture
WEEK 1 Introduction: Vampire Religion
Talal Asad, “The Construction of Religion as an Anthropological Category”
Religion: (1) a system of symbols which act to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.
Symbol: any object, act, event, quality, or relation that serves as a
Vampire Religion and Capitalism: A Cultural and Literary Analysis
WEEK 1: Introduction to Vampire Religion
Talal Asad, “The Construction of Religion as an Anthropological Category”
- Religion:
- A system of symbols which act to
- Establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in people by
- Formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and
- Clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that
- The moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.
- Symbol: Any object, act, event, quality, or relation that serves as a vehicle for conception
- Cultural
Glossary of Medical Ethics Terms
A
Autonomy
The right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision. Patient autonomy allows healthcare providers to educate the patient but does not allow the healthcare provider to make the decision for the patient.
B
Beneficence
A concept in research ethics stating that researchers should have the welfare of the research participant as a goal of any clinical trial.
Beneficent Deception
Whose best interests are we serving?