Is all scripture taken literally in Islam? Are there things which are prescribed in the Quran which are not actually practiced, such as in Christianity where some of the things in Leviticus are not actually practiced (e.g. Lev 19:19 about wearing mixed fibres)?
You object to making decisions based on religious convictions, as these are not based on fact.
But it seems to me that many laws we have are simply based on cultural relativism. We have laws based on norms that most of us in the UK accept as a value, but are relative, not universal.
Do you...
Marx said "religion is the opiate of the masses".
Some theorists such as Moltmann suggest that people use the idea of heaven (a better, equal place) when they are unhappy with the world in which they occupy.
He says "Peace with God means conflict of the world" - suggesting that religion...
I'm not sure I can reconcile there being an absolute morality and a relative one (your 'particularities').
How do we decide that some things are inherently wrong, everywhere, but others are wrong in some societies? For me it would be difficult to draw the line. If I think something is wrong...
It wasn't an objection - it was a question.
By this I really just meant, what kind of reasoning would you accept as being 'secular' to somebody stating that they were, say, in favour of banning euthanasia. What kind of reasoning would you accept from a religious man?
I was saying that for...
But if you think there is an absolute morality, and you subscribe to the monogamy that is the law in our country, what about in countries where several wives are permitted? Are they wrong?
What is our reason, religious or secular, for the law that we must be monogamous in marriage...
I agree that in most religious people it would be an impossible question to ask them to separate themselves from their religious beliefs, much of it will form the very basis of their values.
Do some major religions presuppose an absolute morality? Is this an inappropriate assumption for...
Is there any place for religion in contemporary politics and decision-making?
As I'm from the UK, many of my thoughts have been from the point of view of our society - I'm particularly interested in thoughts from those in different societies :)
Some of my thoughts:
Is it more...
Long time no see around here but if anyone could help with this;
I have an exam tomorrow and one of the questions on the past paper is
Explain the distinction between primary and secondary qualities as Locke
draws it. Does the distinction still hold good in the light of
contemporary scientific...
I unwittingly took a module in Journalism to fill up my timetable, and now I have to write an essay on this film. Anyway, I have a questions for the Americans among us - don't look at others' responses until you've responded please! It doesn't matter whether you've seen it or not, as long as you...
Plato recognises that the popular view of art and music is that they exist to give pleasure, but it is a view with which he will not agree. A thing can only be judged by the standard of pleasure when it furnishes no utility or truth or likeness but exists solely for the accompanying charm...
Thanks Dave - I'd be interested in who said the various positions you put there, art is pursuit of beauty, immortality, etc? Doesn't matter if you can't remember :)
What do you think Plato would think of this painting?
The Treachery of Images (1929) by Rene Magritte
What about Poetry?
"Poetry is an intellectual danger to everyone who is unprovided with an antidote in the shape of a knowledge of its real nature" R G Collingwood, Mind, New Series, Vol. 34, No. 134. (Apr., 1925), p. 155
and
"I soon realised to put it briefly that their poetic ability...
I see what you mean- and he seems to contradict himself a lot. He said in Laws that he would allow art and music for "innocent pleasure". And - anyway, Plato specifically said that if poetry is to have educational value it should be a didactic from the author's own experience. And yet, the...
From my understanding, Plato was actually very fond of art. He just didn't like how far removed it was from the Truth.
After all - it is specifically mimetic art which he is condeming here - as PureX said. He not only condemned the art which we would understand today as paintings and sculptures...
What about the artist who betrays us? Say, someone who paints a battlefield - but who has never been in one, or seen one.
Is there anything to be gained from his/her work by the viewer? Or is art purely a kind of cathartic hobby for the artist to express themselves ('without the constrains of...
Thanks ButterCup :)
No problem Cynic - give me a nudge if you do decide to start it back up again just in case I've been lazy and neglected to post for a while :)