Abstract
The paper explores which one of these two philosophers has the more meaningful approach to an explanation of Divinity.

From the Paper
"The major question both Aristotle and Plotinus tend to discuss is whether and how Man accepts a superior being. The whole tenor of human life is certainly affected by whether men regard themselves as the supreme beings in the universe or acknowledge a superior, a superhuman being, whom they conceive of as an object of fear or love, a force to be defied or a Lord to be loved. (Hutchins) The Catholic Encyclopedia gives credence to a universality of divine providence which actually encompasses more than..."

Tags:monotheism, pantheism, divinity, souol, Man, Plotinus, Aristotle

Abstract
The paper discusses one of the most contested issues in discussions about Christianity that is whether Jesus Christ was truly the son of God, or was merely an inspired moral teacher. The paper discusses the common argument used in the attempt to prove that Christ was in fact divine that is the evidence of the miracles he is claimed to have performed (Mackie, 1982). The paper then looks at how C.S. Lewis, a highly respected Christian theologian, presented a different kind of "proof" of Christ's divinity, namely, the so-called Trilemma Argument.

From the Paper
"One of the most contested issues in discussions about Christianity is whether Jesus Christ was truly the son of God, or was merely an inspired moral teacher. A common argument used in the attempt to prove that Christ was in fact divine is the evidence of the miracles he is claimed to have performed (Mackie, 1982). C.S. Lewis was a highly respected Christian theologian who presented a different kind of "proof" of Christ's divinity, namely, the so-called Trilemma Argument. While this is an argument rather than a proof, per se, this essay will argue that the Trilemma Argument is..."

Tags:lewis, jesus, proof

Abstract
This paper examines the divinity of Alexander - promoted both during and after his lifetime - and asks whether it was purely propaganda or whether he believed it, whether his peoples believed it and how they reacted to it. These questions are answered by investigating such incidents in Alexander's life as his visit to the Temple of Ammon, the aborted issue of proskynesis and more generally the behavior of Alexander and those around him in relation to this matter.

From the Paper
"Curtius is equally implicit about the manipulative and cagey nature of Alexander in the matter of Ammon. He relates that "Alexander was goaded by an overwhelming desire to visit the temple of Jupiter , dissatisfied with elevation on the mortal level, he either considered, or wanted others to believe, that Jupiter was his ancestor" and mentions the popular anecdote that "As the king approached, he was addressed as "son" by the oldest of the priests, who claimed that this title was bestowed on him by his father Jupiter.". The fact that he was "goaded by an overwhelming desire" suggests that Alexander was constantly driving himself on. This is incidentally reminiscent of the modern-day army advert, where we are told that no one will push you harder than yourself!"

Tags:ammon, callisthenes, macedonian, plutarch, proskynesis

Abstract
This paper discusses how throughout Greek history the relationship between human beings and divine figures is a noticeable and predominant one, evident in myth, and especially literature. The author examines such literature of the time, in particular, Homer's Iliad and Herodotus' Histories, to better understand this unique and extraordinary relationship between humans and divine powers in the ancient Greek world.

From the Paper
"Throughout Greek history the relationship between human beings and divine figures is a noticeable and predominant one. Evidence of this relationship exists in many forms, such as architecture, art, myth, and especially literature. By examining the literature of the time, we as historians, philosophers and archaeologists, among others, can better understand this unique and extraordinary relationship between humans and divine powers in the ancient Greek world. The "Iliad" of Homer demonstrates many principles of this relationship through the story of the Trojan War. The characters, their actions and the events that take place demonstrate the interaction of humans and gods, the individual relationships, the authority of divine power, and the helplessness of humans. We also see the treachery and deceit of the gods towards humans. We can look at other later literary works such as Herodotus' Histories to examine the human and divine relationship as well."

Tags:antiquity, divinity, gods, heroes, religion, roman, trojan, war, achilleus, zeus, patroklos, croesus, apollo, athene, hektor

Abstract
This is a persuasive argument essay discussing the concept of divine providence from the perspectives of Plotinus and Thomas Aquinas and arguing that Aquinas' view is the correct one.

From the Paper
"The two philosophers, Plotinus and Thomas Aquinas, were separated not only by many centuries but also by their divergent views on the divine providence of God. Plotinus, a pagan, viewed God as the source of all things although he did not believe that God created evil, evil is simply the absence of good. Aquinas, on the other hand, believed that God is the cause of everything that exists and that everything depends upon Him for its..."

Tags:Plotinus, Thomas Aquinas, divine providence, persuasive argument

Abstract
This paper discusses Dante's placement of sinners and star crossed lovers and the characters of Francesca, Paolo, Pia del Tolomei, and Cunizza da Romano in the "Divine Comedy". The paper looks at Dante's inclusion of his own beliefs.

From the Paper
"In placing his various characters, Dante was moved by his own responses to stories of star-crossed lovers and great sinners, widely known in his own era by his personal experiences of life and love and by his desire to illustrate the various types of humans and their sins and corresponding punishment. He was further motivated by his desire to allow the great poet of Roman antiquity, Virgil, to speak for him or as a poetic voice standing in for his..."

Tags:Dante, Divine Comedy, Sinners, characters

Abstract
The paper examines both the structure and poetic symbols in Dante's epic poem "The Divine Comedy." The paper explains how he utilizes both in expressing the poem's themes.

From the Paper
"Dante's masterpiece, "The Divine Comedy" is an epic poem which traces man's quest to reach God and discover a true world order. Indeed as Dante travels through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven he undergoes a spiritual transformation as a result of his journey and finds answers to the moral questions that have nagged him. The poem functions as an allegory as it allows Dante to express both his political and religious views while teaching his readers a lesson in spiritual and moral matters."

Tags:dante, divine comedy, symbolism, structure, rhyme scheme, allegory, heaven, hell, purgatory, virgil, beatrice

Abstract
In this paper, the dream sequence in Canto IX of Dante's Divine Comedy is explained as a visionary prefiguring of the upward aspiration of a soul seeking salvation.

From the Paper
"Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" is considered the greatest epic poem in Italian literature. This Christian allegory about the soul's journey through the afterlife bridges the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance and has had a profound influence on both Western literature and Christian dogma. Dante's Inferno: Dante describes his journey through the land of the dead in a first person narrative written in terza rima lines of eleven..."

Tags:Dante, Divine Comedy, Purgatorio, salvation

Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of divine light. It investigates the origin of the concept and how it is integrated with social values and ideals of various times throughout history. The paper discusses the history of divine light and suggests that in these modern times, the concept of the divine has stretched and evolved to include a variety of principles, religions and lifestyles. The paper gives examples of its use and particularly focuses on the concept of divine light in architecture.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Divine Light
Divine Light in Architecture
Greek Temples
Early Christian Architecture
Medieval Christian Churches
Baroque churches
Modern Churches
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Instead, Tadao Ando asserts that a universal spirituality is possible through the use of natural forces. This in turn is reminiscent of the enclosures around Greek Temples, where natural elements were used to connect the human spirit to the divine. Ando recognizes that the divine, if architecture is going to be truly universal, is largely undefined by the paradigms of modern society. We live in an integrated world. Ando therefore uses natural elements that appeal universally to the human spirit. This provides for a "divine light" that is flexible: human beings can use its effect to connect to any form of the divine that pleases them. In this integrated approach, Ando emphasizes the creative force, once assumed to be from exterior or supernatural forces, that comes from within the spirit. As such, his work is a true integration of modern social values."

Tags:spirituality, architecture, Christianity

Abstract
This paper examines the differing role of divine foreknowledge within the philosophy of St. Augustine. First an overview on the general concept of divine foreknowledge is given in order to understand its influential role during these times. Then the paper examines its role as applied to the philosophy of St. Augustine. The writer also looks at the theory that humans have the free will to make their own decisions. The writer concludes that what makes St. Augustine's work so important and successful, in both religious and philosophical circles, is its ability to understand the conflict and the importance of reconciling these concepts in order to preserve both the sanctity of divine foreknowledge and human will.

Outline:
Introduction
Divine Foreknowledge vs. Freewill
St. Augustine
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to the theory of divine foreknowledge, god is omniscient and therefore holds knowledge of everything: past, present and future. In other words, divine foreknowledge is god's ability to know everything about all things. Further, since god has knowledge of everything, everything that god knows is necessarily a truth. For example, if god knows that X will go and do Y, then it is true that X will do Y, even if X has not yet done Y. Further, since it is a truth that X will do Y, it is also impossible that X will not do Y. In other words, in a pure system of divine foreknowledge, humans have no freewill. The two cannot co-exist.
"However, some theorists, including St. Augustine, have developed a non-pure system of divine foreknowledge and instead believe that although god has divine foreknowledge, he is not all knowing in a traditional sense."

Tags:god, philosopher, omniscient, freewill