European nations (not necessarily all European individuals) have learned how to think accurately both in in science and in philosophy. Science has been taught freely in public schools; philosophy, however, has (for the most part) has only been taught in college and universities. Existentialism, which is the most modern and most comprehensive philosophical movement, is only taught (if at all) in colleges. Below is an introduction by a college professor to the philosophical movement, which is actually a movement of existence philosophies that has been somewhat inaccurately labeled existentialism as though they compose a school or systematic way of thinking. Following are links to this comprehensive introduction. Later, I will post more specific controbutions to modern existence philosophies. Just click on the following links (in order); listen and enjoy learning.
1. http://youtu.be/CSOImo5Xi-Y
2. http://youtu.be/6lVChwmaX5o
3. http://youtu.be/kkSkPW7kVYE
4. http://youtu.be/HtJsY2yxPQs
Sunday, July 31, 2011
I AIM NEITHER TO CONDEMN NOR ABOLISH RELIGION
Many people today are accustomed to “being done to or done for” in their daily lives. The television entertains them, their churches organize their social lives and leisure activities, and their teachers (or ministers) “spoon-feed” them knowledge (or tell them what to think and what to do). All that is usually required of them is to show up, believe and obey.
It is my intention to reinstate in such people a desire to realistically solve problems, to realistically overcome obstacles, and to realistically achieve self-fulfillment. However, in order to reach these goals it is necessary to help people acquire a more realistic mindset.
By the time many people reach physical maturity, they have already formed certain opinions. The mindsets that need to be changed are exemplified by comments like these: “I hate math!” or “I don’t need to know why; just tell me what to do!” or “All that I need to know is in the Bible!” or “I walk by faith, not by sight!” or “God said it, I believe it, and that’s all there is to it!” All of these statements suggest either a closed mind or believing without really thinking.
I am not trying to end religion; religion is good for some people (especially those who haven’t learned how to successfully think for themselves). I’m just trying to help people to learn how to successfully think for themselves. Unfortunately, many who could benefit by learning to think more scientifically have minds that have been so filled with nonsense that that they have no room for sensible thoughts to get in—especially if those sensible thoughts contradict any of the dogma that they have been spoon-fed and have unwittingly accepted with blind-faith.
So, even though I myself have benefitted tremendously from my past religious indoctrinations and even though I still benefit from my own religious orientation, I realize that many others could benefit as I have by opening their minds and cleaning out some of the dogmatic notions that have mentally enslaved their thinking so that they can successfully learn how to accurately think for themselves. Therefore, my aim is neither to condemn nor to abolish religion; my aim is to help people to free their minds and to accurately think for themselves.
It is my intention to reinstate in such people a desire to realistically solve problems, to realistically overcome obstacles, and to realistically achieve self-fulfillment. However, in order to reach these goals it is necessary to help people acquire a more realistic mindset.
By the time many people reach physical maturity, they have already formed certain opinions. The mindsets that need to be changed are exemplified by comments like these: “I hate math!” or “I don’t need to know why; just tell me what to do!” or “All that I need to know is in the Bible!” or “I walk by faith, not by sight!” or “God said it, I believe it, and that’s all there is to it!” All of these statements suggest either a closed mind or believing without really thinking.
I am not trying to end religion; religion is good for some people (especially those who haven’t learned how to successfully think for themselves). I’m just trying to help people to learn how to successfully think for themselves. Unfortunately, many who could benefit by learning to think more scientifically have minds that have been so filled with nonsense that that they have no room for sensible thoughts to get in—especially if those sensible thoughts contradict any of the dogma that they have been spoon-fed and have unwittingly accepted with blind-faith.
So, even though I myself have benefitted tremendously from my past religious indoctrinations and even though I still benefit from my own religious orientation, I realize that many others could benefit as I have by opening their minds and cleaning out some of the dogmatic notions that have mentally enslaved their thinking so that they can successfully learn how to accurately think for themselves. Therefore, my aim is neither to condemn nor to abolish religion; my aim is to help people to free their minds and to accurately think for themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
