Abstract This paper looks at the central concept of Islamic cosmology and then goes on to explain Sufism and why it should be viewed as a spiritual dimension of Islam. Furthermore, based on the research cited, the paper concludes that the emergence of Sufism is a natural development within the religion and a necessary revelation of Islamic faith.
From the Paper "Nasr states categorically that Sufism is a part of the Islamic tradition that extends the spiritual and the ' esoteric' dimensions of the faith. "The truth and reality of the inner teachings of Islam became crystallized mostly in Sufism. Sufism therefore embodies more than any other facet of Islam the various aspects of Islamic spirituality". (Nasr, 1987. p 3) As such, Islamic Sufism also extends and adds to the understanding of the essential cosmological elements that characterize Islam. Sufism is related to these cosmological aspects as an extension and a deepening of the spirituality of Islam."
Abstract This paper describes dark energy, or anti-gravity, and debates theories of universe expansion, touching on Einstein's theory of relativity and cosmologicalconstant. It also talks about the equation of state of the universe and its impact on universe expansion or contraction. It looks at how there are many theories about dark energy from the quintessence theory and the topological defect theory to the cosmologicalconstant theory. It explains that, by analyzing the equation of state of this energy and evaluating current theories, scientists can construe a plausible theory for the fate of the universe.
From the Paper "Physicists started negotiating and theorizing about the possibility of a dark energy around the turn of the century. One generally un-disproved theory from that time is that which relates the equation of state to the "cosmological constant". The cosmological constant (often called lambda) was proposed by Einstein in 1917 to make the universe unchanging in his equations (5). He was generally unsure of this idea, and rejected this theory shortly after it was determined that the universe is perpetually growing. However, his idea of a cosmological constant is currently applied to the universe in a slightly different way, setting the equation of state constant (5)(4). The current theories of dark energy date back to 1998 when supernovae were discovered to be dimmer than expected."
Abstract This paper analyzes the life story of Muhammad according to the rites-of-passage model of Arnold van Gennep and Victor Turner, the relationship between the life story of Muhammad, and some of the key principles of Islamic cosmology and the ways in which Muhammad's life story might be linked to the cosmological traditions of the religions out of which Islam emerged.
From the Paper "The rites-of-passage model, explained by Victor Turner, "indicate and constitute transitions between states" of ?relatively fixed or stable conditions.? This model contains three phases, pre-liminal, liminal, and post-liminal characterized by certain transitional traits: during the pre-liminal phase the individual or group ?comprises symbolic behavior signifying detachment from an earlier fixed point in the social structure or a set of cultural conditions;? during the liminal phase ?the state of the ritual subject is ambiguous; he passes through a realm that has few or none of the attributes of the past or coming state;? and during the post-liminal ?the passage is consummated.? "
Abstract This paper critiques and analyzes Mary Douglas's major work, "Natural Symbols: Explorations in Cosmology", and looks at the main thesis of the book, which revolves around the idea that rules of physical body turn into natural symbols for decoding the norms of the society.
From the Paper "Douglas believes natural symbols play an important role in determining the nature of various social and religious rituals and practices. How we perceive a norm is connected with how we view bodily functions and vice versa. In this book, the author gives us an explanation of how our perception of human bodily functions is an extension of different social experiences."
Abstract This paper discusses Dine cosmology and how it is structured. It describes Dine as a homology and shows how Dine holds that all elements derive from a common source. The paper discusses the roles of baskets, hooghans and textiles and then shows how they represent universal structures, elements, colors, numbers, shapes and forms within Dine belief.
From the Paper "Without the strict binaries that characterize the cosmologies of other cultures, the Dine propose a more integrated vision of the universe. The breath of life permeates everything, and life is cyclical and eternal. Death means only a transition from one phase of life or one form of life to another. Upon death, the same basic elements of creation continue to characterize life and that individual. The number four is structural and represents not only the four elements of moisture, air, substance and heat but also the four cardinal directions and the movement of the sun throughout the year. Directionality and the compas points denote the sacred geography that characterizes the Navajoland and Dine cosmos. As a result, the hooghan is constructed with four main structural poles. Each pole corresponds to a direction with the entrance of the house always in the east. The poles create special sections within the hooghan that are also linked to sacred geography and directionality. A fifth pole flanks the doorway, demarcating the presence of the fifth element."
Abstract This paper focuses on the method of constant stimuli in which a random order of stimuli is presented numerous times to the subject in order to determine either absolute or difference thresholds. This method is used in every day situations such as in a simple hearing test in an elementary school or doctor's office. The method of constant stimuli has been used successfully in experiments involving both odor thresholds and tactile discrimination tasks, suggesting its usefulness in studies involving several, if not all of the senses.
From the Paper "Psychophysics is an area of science developed by Gustav Fechner that attempts to identify relationships between the physical and psychological aspects of experiences (Wolfe et al., 2006). Every day, people are exposed to events in the material world that come to be filtered and interpreted by their individual perceptions of the events. Therefore, what comes in through the senses is greatly influenced by mental processes and the subjective experiences of the stimuli. This is an important area of study because it serves to highlight the ways in which the mind interacts with the outside world and the stimuli with which it is constantly being presented. Psychophysics goes beyond a simple description of sensation and seeks to understand the relationship between incoming information and how people perceive it in order to construct their own understanding of the environment."
Abstract This paper describes a chemistry experiment in which the solubility constant, Ksp, for NaCl and KCl is determined. The laboratory procedure is described, the results are given, and the data analyzed. The paper also calculates molarity of the solutions used and assesses the experimental error.
Abstract This paper analyzes Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem, "Constantly Risking Absurdity", noting that the simile used in the poem, 'the poet is like an acrobat', emphasizes that the whole poem is a metaphor comparing a poet to an acrobat. The paper then goes on to discuss various elements of the poem including the use of free verse, and irregular words and sounds across the verses. The paper also notes that the poem uses short lines and that it is a challenge to read. The paper explains that this challenge relates to the theme of the poem and is similar to the process of writing a poem.
From the Paper "The poet-figure is characterised throughout the poem. As the acrobat performs his tricks we discover the similarities between the poet and him. The line 'climbs on rhyme' expresses how a poet uses rhyme to link his lines as he climbs down the poem, while an acrobat climbs a ladder to perform his tricks. The poet-figure is 'balancing on eyebeams'. The poet and the acrobat rely on their audience's recognition. The audience's gaze keeps the acrobat in the air and the poet's admires keeps his spirits high. The line 'paces his way' emphasises how cautious poets and acrobats need to be in their professions. An acrobat has to pace himself as he crosses the tightrope and a poet can definitely not rush through the poetry process."
Abstract This is an essay on the discussion of "How our understanding of the origin and the ultimate fate of the Universe depends on the present value of the Hubble constant, the microwave background energy, the total amount of mass and energy in the Universe, and the value of the cosmologicalconstant "A" (note: the symbol is capital alpha). 5 pgs, bibliography lists 4 sources.
Tags: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / ASTRONOMY, understanding the originbp
This paper discusses the anthropic principle, which asserts that the laws, constants, and basic structure of the universe are not completely arbitrary, but are constrained by the existence of intelligent observers.
Abstract The paper explains that proponents of the principle believe, if any of the constants of life were any different than the observer knows them to be, then life as he or she knows it would not exist. Basically, the anthropic principle questions the origin of everything in the universe. The author reports that Brandon Carter, who presented his ideas about the anthropic principle in 1974, claims that the principle was meant only to caution astrophysicists and cosmologists of possible errors in the interpretation of astronomical and cosmological data unless the biological constraints of the observer were taken into account. The paper relates that the anthropic principle presents no definitive answers, only the suggestion that everything in the universe is interrelated and interdependent, and perhaps there is some type of intelligent design, a fundamental core that holds all these variable together.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Anthropic Principle
Thought Leaders
From the Paper "The most significant premise of the anthropic principle is that our place in the universe is special. Further, we occupy a unique segment of cosmic history. This of course is the controversy of the principle. Since the early days of scientific thought, it has been believed that there is nothing special about our place in the universe. Believers in the anthropic principle hope to disprove this. Theologically, the anthropic principle has led to a revival of the argument from design, which had lost its intellectual respectability when Darwin came along."
Abstract This paper attempts to defend the cosmological argument for the existence of God against the theory of evolution by presenting arguments in favor of the cosmological argument, refuting some of the major objections against it and elaborating the weaknesses of the evolutionary theory.
Outline:
The Cosmological Argument
Criticisms of the Cosmological Argument & their Refutation
The Theory of Evolution
Does the Theory of Evolution Negate the Cosmological Argument?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Man has sought to unravel the mysteries about the origins of the universe, life, and mankind itself since times immemorial. Philosophers, theologians, and scientists have thought hard and deep through the ages and put forwarded divergent theories about the mystery. These have eventually boiled down to two major and contrary ideas, i.e., the "evolutionary" theory that life was created by pure chance and has over time evolved into ever-more complex forms of life through a process of natural selection, and the theist argument that an outside supreme force (God) was responsible for the start of the universe and life. The "Cosmological Argument" for the existence of God and the "theory of evolution" best represent the two divergent schools of thought on this important argument."
Abstract This paper discusses how the modern discoveries of physics, astronomy, cosmology and biology have provided mankind with a compellingly robust set of proofs for the existence of God. The purpose of this paper is to examine what some of these good reasons are for believing in God's existence. It also includes an examination of the following classical proofs for God's existence: the cosmological argument and the teleological argument, which is also known as the argument from design. The cosmological argument is examined with respect to views of both Plato and Aristotle because of their great influence on other proponents of the cosmological argument.
Outline:
Introduction
The Cosmological Argument
The Teleological Argument
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "How does one possess knowledge of something? Knowledge allows one to attempt to ask what something is and why it is; "it also inquires into the grounds of this knowledge - including knowledge of and talk about God." The act of knowing is one, which provides both arguments and proofs. One trait, which is common to the method of formulating proofs, is that of repetition. Proofs can take on many different dimensions: "the proof of a mathematician, the proof a natural scientists who proceeds by experiment, the proof of a lawyer, a historian, a literary researcher, or the proof of a doctor when he diagnoses an illness." The 'proofs of God's existence' are of a completely different nature than those aforementioned. This is true because God is immaterial and transcends the universe. He cannot be proved by a series of bullet experiments. It is inevitable that one will approach the issue of God's existence with a set of presuppositions. "
Abstract This paper examines the implications, relevance, and significance that the current, best theories in physics and cosmology have for the understanding of our lives and our place in the world. In particular, it seeks to determine what our best theories in physics and cosmology, including relativity theory, quantum theory, and big bang cosmology, imply about the nature of the physical world and about the nature of our selves. An overview of these best theories is followed by an analysis of their implications, relevance, and significance today, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "According to Bergmann (2004), the general theory of relativity was developed in response to the need to extend the new space and time concepts of the special theory of relativity from the domain of electric and magnetic phenomena to all of physics and, particularly, to the theory of gravitation. Because space and time relations are the foundation of all physical phenomena, researchers recognized the inherent constraints in applying mutually contradictory concepts of space and time to explain different types of interactions, particularly in view of the fact that the same particles may interact with each other in several different ways-electromagnetically, gravitationally, and through the so-called nuclear forces (Bergmann 2004)."
Abstract This paper explores the fate of the universe. The writer looks back to the origins of the universe to see how it all started and what has been happening since then. In this article the writer explores some of the predictions for the future, the main one of which is that the universe will go on expanding forever.
From the Paper "Before one can speculate on the fate of the universe, one must first look back to how it began. The modern version of the 'Big Bang' theory is that a massive explosion created all the mass and energy in the universe and also the fabric of time-space, which inflated rapidly after the big bang but then slowed down and the universe cooled down. The temperature dropped within minutes and free-roaming quarks formed protons and neutrons, some of which coalesced into the nuclei of simple elements."
Tags: Big Bang, Big Splat, Big Rip, cosmologicalconstant, neutrinos, gravity
Abstract This paper discusses R. G. Collingwood's book, "The Idea of Nature". The paper examines whether the modern view of nature is closer to the ancient than the renaissance view. The paper illustrates how Collingwood analyzes the principle characteristics of three periods of cosmological thinking in the history of European thought: Greek, Renaissance and the Modern. The paper explains that by taking such an approach, Collingwood makes it possible for his readers to distinguish the similarities as well as fundamental differences between the modern view of nature and that of Greek and Renaissance cosmology.
From the Paper "In fact, Collingwood himself suggests as much at several points in his book. For instance, in his introduction he observes, "The modern view of Nature owes something both to Greek and to Renaissance cosmology, but it differs from each in fundamental ways." (p. 9) Thus, it is evident that Collingwood is conscious of the dangers inherent in any comparison that does not examine the antecedents of a particular school of thought. In fact, to avoid falling into such a trap, he takes meticulous care to establish how the scholars within a particular period and across eras built on the work of their predecessors by identifying and addressing loopholes and unanswered questions."
