Abstract The author of this paper examines the theme of betrayal in classical literature. The author looks at examples of betrayal in Anne Carson's translation, "If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho," and Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey". The writer also looks at examples of betrayal as told in the Old Testament.
From the Paper "In Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, deception is a theme that runs throughout the whole novel. Athena and Odysseus are deceitful to other characters. Athena disguised herself as Mentor to help Odysseus' son, Telemechus, on his own journey. Telemechus never knew that it was a Zeus' daughter guiding and strengthening him. But Telemechus was not the only character that was uniformed of someone's presence--the suitors and Penelope, Odysseus' wife, thought the man in the castle was a beggar. Known to the readers, this beggar is in fact King Odysseus, back to reclaim his castle. Homer's use of disguises to hide an identity represents how people are never truly themselves when betraying others. The true person is hiding under the facade that has been created, but the mask is what everyone else sees. The deceitful person has been transformed into someone new to the rest of the world. Betrayal cannot be undone--it always lingers over shoulders, and unfortunately stays with the ones that were betrayed."
This is a personal essay examining and analyzing arguments about both the good and bad of today's morality, a value-system that is generally without God's influence.
Abstract This is an essay which discusses God and morality. It looks at how God is viewed by different people. The author disagrees that a lack in faith in God has contributed to the country's current moral fibre, and argues that while moral standards and looser values are in existance today, but they are a result of the influence of the mass media and dissolution of the nuclear family, and not because of absence of a God-based society.
From the Paper "The negative effects of the loss of God are just as crucial to understand in discussing God and morality. These have often been overlooked by those who welcome all things new and better at whatever cost. The fact that society has lost the perception of harmony and unity created by divine guidance means that it can be argued that there are no universal morals left in the world. The acceptability of certain acts that were considered immoral before bothers many of us, and the term "liberalization" is often used in society when we really mean that we are without common norms of behavior or values."
Abstract This paper analyzes the creation of humans by gods and how they are portrayed in religions and myths. It studies 'Genesis' and 'Popul Vuh' and analyzes excerpts from them discussing the forming of the Mayans by the gods. It concludes that truth is dangerous to the gods according the the examples of the Jewish people and the Mayans and the way the gods treated them.
From the Paper "Why should truth be so dangerous to the gods? Why should knowledge of the truth be so threatening to those who inhabit the heavens? We do not know this, and yet it must be true, for one of the similarities in many creation myths ? drawn from cultures very distant from one another ? is the idea that while the gods initially make humans who are wise and even omniscient, afterwards they change their creations so that humans are limited in their knowledge, in their ability to divine the truth. The gods create us in their own image, at least to the extent that we are wise like they are, and then they punish us for bearing the same attributes that they themselves carry."
Abstract This paper explains that the Greek god Apollo represents archery, music and the sun. The author points out that, by being raised on the island of Delos, he was trained by Themis to develop god-like skills away from other Olympian gods and the lower mortals of Earth. The paper relates that, by being the son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo had the powers of both a Titan and Olympian, making him unusually powerful within the pantheon of Greek Gods.
Abstract This paper supports Mackie's position that the traditional Judeo/Christian/Muslim God cannot possibly exist given the evidence of the existence of evil, since God is omnipotent, omniscient and most importantly, Good. The writer maintains that if God did exist and was as described, then evil could not possibly exist because God would do everything - could, in fact - to prevent it, yet evil abounds.
From the Paper "The question of whether or not God, in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic tradition, exists is as old as the religions themselves, and has been answered many times in many different ways. God is said to be omniscient and omnipotent, yet Evil still exists in the world. According to J.L. Mackie and other philosophers, this trilemma is irreconcilable, and therefore God must not exist. It is the writer's argument that Evil does exist, therefore God cannot exist if the statements regarding the power and knowledge of God are true. It is important to establish meanings of the words God and Evil for the purposes of this discussion. The definition of God given by the American Heritage Dictionary will suffice: "a. A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions"."
Abstract This paper analyzes the main theme found in "The Aeneid", that is that the gods will have their way even when some of them differ in opinion from other gods. The paper describes the writings by Virgil that the Italian gods and goddesses are connected closely to the humans in the story and how the gods in The Aeneid play a vital role in directing humans to do their will even when there are negative consequences from their actions.
From the Paper " The Gods in "The Aeneid" "The God of Love obeys, and sets aside his bow and quiver, and his plumy pride; he walks Iulus in his mother's sight, and in the sweet resemblance takes delight. The goddess then to your Ascanius flies..." (Virgil, Aeneid.1.i). Cupid, the god of love, takes the form of Aeneas's son so that the queen will fall passionately in love with Aeneas. This is only part one and the gods are active in the story:"The Aeneid" by Virgil. The main theme found in "The Aeneid" is the gods will have their way even when some of them differ in opinion from other gods. "
Abstract This is a teleological argument for God's existence. Cleanthes' argument for the existence of God is based on the assumption that the universe has an ordered arrangement. This is why Cleanthes attempts to present a case for order in the universe. In doing so, he argues for the existence of God. In his view, there is a design in the creation, and he believes that a certain amount of scientific thought was needed to create the universe.
Abstract This paper argues that the proposition set up by J.L. Mackie whereby he claims to prove that an all-mighty, all-good God and the existence of evil are logically contradictory is itself in error. The paper uses the concept of a "process-relational" God, first proposed by Alfred North Whitehead, to disprove Mackie's argument. The paper also shows that this does not damage God's omnipotence any more than neo-Thomist arguments do.
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of the image of God. It discusses research that indicates that some believe that the image of God and man's creation refers to the physical image. The research paper contends that this is the spiritual image of God that is found in Christ and in man that is spoken of in the Bible. Through research this point is discussed within the paper.
From the Paper "To be created in the image of God means to be, in all ways possible, like He is. In the Bible it is written, "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man" (1 Corinthians 11:7). This passage infers that man should not be ashamed of who he is because he is created in the image of the creator of the world, and in this there can be no shame. Reverend Dennis Duncan contends that some believe the passages from the Bible that speak of man being created in God's image refer to His physical form (Duncan). Yet, Duncan clarifies to his readers that the "image" is in reference to what is inside of a human being."
Abstract This paper briefly reviews how the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece affected humans. The paper looks at the Gods in their roles as capricious puppeteers vainly manipulating the lives of men and women. The paper specifically focuses on the Gods who were successful in their roles and how they affected society.
From the Paper "The Greek Gods and how they affect mortals The relationship of the Greek Gods (and Goddesses) of Ancient Greece to their human underlings is a striking one. Whereas many polytheistic and certainly monotheistic societies portray their deities as beyond reproach, the Greeks preferred to show their deities in human dress. In other words, Greek Gods and Goddesses are often vain, cruel, autocratic, lascivious, irresponsible and destructive. At the same time, however, they were capable of magnanimity, charity and exemplary courage. "
Abstract This paper explores the theories presented in Rabbi Steven Greenberg's book, "Wrestling with God and Men". The paper explains that Rabbi Steven Greenberg works to reconcile his love for God with his homosexual nature. Greenberg identifies himself as both a devout follower of God and the Jewish faith, but also identifies himself as having homosexual preferences. The paper also explains that the thesis of Greenberg's book is that the question whether homosexual activities are permitted in the Holy Scriptures is actually a moot point: Greenberg seeks to identify whether the nature of homosexual love is permitted.
From the Paper "In his book, Wrestling with God and Men, Rabbi Steven Greenberg works to reconcile his love for God with his homosexual nature. Greenberg identifies himself as both a devout follower of God and the Jewish faith, but also identifies himself as having homosexual preferences. The thesis of Greenberg's book is that the question whether homosexual activities are permitted in the Holy Scriptures is actually a moot point: Greenberg seeks to identify whether the nature of homosexual love is permitted. In doing so, Greenberg transforms the question of homosexuality from one of sex to one of love, in which he asks how God can deny the nature of love through prohibition. The root cause of this problem is found in the passage "Va-yar Elokim et kol asher asah v-hinei tov meod" (Bereshis 1:31) or, translated, states "And G-d saw..."
Abstract This paper analyzes two theories on the foreknowledge of God - the classical view (everything is predetermined) and the open view (some things are only partially determined by God). The paper describes the way in which both views defend the omniscience of God, yet reason themselves in different ways. The paper gives the author's opinion on the validity of each claim.
From the Paper "Nearly 2000 years ago Christianity came about and the people of this newly formed Church became known as Christians. According to scripture, the body of the Church is united in Christ as One. Ephesians 2:14 states, "For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us." Although Christ may have abolished the external differences between us, there still exists many inner discrepancies within the Church. Within Christian theology there exists the diversity of the Christian community on controversial topics and doctrines. From these dynamic topics arise positions at both ends of the theological spectrum as well as others in between. One of the debated issues amongst the Church is the foreknowledge of God. That is to ask, to what extent does God know that which will happen? The foreknowledge debate has created two positions within the Christian community: The Classical View and The Open View."
This paper discusses the philosopher George Berkeley's concept of immaterialism, his subsequent argument for the existence of God, and the reasons why his argument cannot be accepted as being valid.
Abstract An intricate discussion of philosopher George Berkeley's concept of immaterialism and his subsequent argument for the necessary existence of a Supreme Being, or God. The author outlines and analyzes Berkeley's two major philosophical treatises, and the main arguments found in each are clearly defined and presented in a succinct, yet detailed manner. Philosophical ideas/concepts discussed include the "Likeness Principle" and the variability of sensory experience. The paper then presents Berkeley's argument for the existence of God, which builds upon the already established theory of immaterialism by discussing the distinction between absolute and relative existence.
From the Paper "Immaterialism, as defined by Berkeley, is the idea that it is impossible for any sensible qualities whatsoever to exist independent of a mind (Berkeley 1965, 5-6). This argument is brought forth succinctly and clearly in the Dialogues, in which Berkeley presents his case through the character of Philonous, and defends it against criticism by the character of Hylas. Although there are many aspects in both Principles and the Dialogues that contribute to the overall argument for immaterialism, for the purpose of this essay, only two of the strongest points will be discussed- the argument from variability and the likeness principle.
One of the key features of Berkeley's argument for immaterialism centers on the variability of one's sensory experiences in comparison to another?s. He notes that each individual perceives the world differently, whether in terms of smell, taste, sight, or touch. One of the ways in which this variability of sensory experiences is presented by Philonous to Hylas is during a discussion between the two concerning taste. Philonous points out that although a certain food may taste pleasant to one person, that same food may taste awful to another. "How could this be", Philonous asks Hylas, "if taste was something really inherent in the food"? (Berkeley 1998, [180]) There is only apparent taste, and this requires dependence on a mind. The same argument is also applied to smell, touch, sight, extension, motion, and solidity, and is reasoned to be just as effective. Perceptual variability occurs with these senses/qualities as well, and none of the apparent smells or colors seem to be any more real than any other ([68-78])."
An analysis and critique of the first argument Descartes presents to prove God's existence in the Third Meditation of his "Meditations on First Philosophy".
2,415 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 73.95
Abstract This paper critically analyzes Descartes attempt at proving God exists in the Third Meditation of his "Meditations on First Philosophy". After thoroughly explaining how the argument unfolds in the original text, the writer offers two lines of objections that undercut his proof which focus on his claim that he has a "clear and distinct" idea of God and the relationship Descartes claims exists between the objective reality of an idea and the formal reality of the thing represented by that idea. (It also clearly defines all of these terms.)
From the Paper "In the Third Meditation of his Meditations on First Philosophy, Rene Descartes presents his first proof of God's existence by characterizing the nature of ideas, examining the relationship between causes and effects, and defining the relationships between ideas and the things or concepts they represent. He then applies these results to the clear and distinct idea of God he claims to have. Descartes systematically defines each of these components to build the premises for his argument in such a way that the conclusion that God exists immediately and obviously follows. As such, if one is going to deny that Descartes has irrefutably proved God's existence, one must find fault in at least one of these premises. This will be the strategy that I will employ in this paper. After laying out the premises of Descartes' first proof of God's existence and the justification he employs for each one, I will argue that his argument ultimately fails because he does not sufficient justify two of the most important premises. First, I will argue that he does not - and perhaps cannot - sufficiently prove that he really has a "clear and distinct" idea of a perfect God. Second, I will argue that he does not properly justify his claim that there is a direct relationship between the objective reality of an idea and the formal reality of the thing that causes the idea."
Abstract "The God Of Small Things", a Booker Prize winning novel by Arundhati Roy, is a tragic story that renders rich psychological insights into the effects of India's political and social problems on an everyday family in their everyday lives; and illustrates in a powerful fashion the ways in which these problems can destroy both rich and poor people alike. This paper attempts to interpret the multitude of psychological meanings in "The God of Small Things".
