Philosophy
On All Saints Day, let's think about the notion of a saint. Auguste Comte thought that while the metaphysical elements of religion would eventually fade away as part of an immature phase of human development, the structure of religious institutions would remain necessary for the majority of people. He proposed founding a "religion of man," wherein we use the Church as a model for secular belief system with rituals and an ethical code. This would even come with saints whom we would use archetypes to hold up as representatives of human greatness. For Comte, these would be scientists of monumental achievement -- Saint Newton, Saint Darwin,...
If we broaden the notion, whom would we hold up as modern saints?
I suppose those who championed justice through non-violence like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Cesar Chavez would be the first to be considered. We erect a hall of fame where we make great athletes and coaches into cultural saints -- Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, Wilt Chamberlain. Occasionally, the two overlap with folks like Jackie Robinson and Billie Jean King. We have popular art forms like film and music where the work of modern saints allow them to remain forever young -- Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles, Madonna.
From all aspects of contemporary life, where do we and where should we look for our modern saints? Or should we at all? Is the notion of a saint harmful? Knowing that all humans were just humans and anyone we elevate, we will be able to find evidence of moral and personal fallibility, is this myth making unfair to those whom we select? Should we create false images to strive for or should we develop our own internal drives based on our own projects and circumstances?
- Types Of Atheism, Religion In History, And Philosophy Today
J.T. asks, "Should atheism be defined as an absence of belief in God (or gods)? Or should it be defined as as an explicit affirmation that gods do no exist? Is there a true distinction between these two definitions? And finally, should agnosticism be...
- Happy Einstein's Birthday
The image we are left with these days is the old uncle Albert, the friendly, wise sage. But in his younger days, he was quite the rabble rouser. A vocal opponent of WWI in Germany, he was despised by the German nationalist right with a white hot rage....
- Buffon Meets Buffoon
"Nietzsche says, 'Out of chaos comes order'" (extra credit if you name the film and give the next line). Out of denying the history of biology comes a chance to discuss the history of biology. Much has been made of Alex Beam's column in the...
- The Davinci Code Is Anti-catholic In The Same Way That Protesting The War Was Anti-american
Haven't yet seen the film and most likely wouldn't have read the book, but TheWife hates to fly. Traveling to a dear friend's wedding in New Mexico last year, she read it from Kentucky to Amarillo and demanded that I read it so that she could...
- Destroying Your Own Cultural Heritage?...timbuktu's Collection Of Islamic Manuscripts
"Did Timbuktu's Priceless Archives Really Just Get 'Wiped Out'?" by Frud Bezhan January 30th, 2013 The Atlantic For centuries, Timbuktu has been home to one of the largest collections of ancient Islamic manuscripts in the world. Now there...
Philosophy
Modern Saints: Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio?
On All Saints Day, let's think about the notion of a saint. Auguste Comte thought that while the metaphysical elements of religion would eventually fade away as part of an immature phase of human development, the structure of religious institutions would remain necessary for the majority of people. He proposed founding a "religion of man," wherein we use the Church as a model for secular belief system with rituals and an ethical code. This would even come with saints whom we would use archetypes to hold up as representatives of human greatness. For Comte, these would be scientists of monumental achievement -- Saint Newton, Saint Darwin,...
If we broaden the notion, whom would we hold up as modern saints?
I suppose those who championed justice through non-violence like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Cesar Chavez would be the first to be considered. We erect a hall of fame where we make great athletes and coaches into cultural saints -- Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, Wilt Chamberlain. Occasionally, the two overlap with folks like Jackie Robinson and Billie Jean King. We have popular art forms like film and music where the work of modern saints allow them to remain forever young -- Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles, Madonna.
From all aspects of contemporary life, where do we and where should we look for our modern saints? Or should we at all? Is the notion of a saint harmful? Knowing that all humans were just humans and anyone we elevate, we will be able to find evidence of moral and personal fallibility, is this myth making unfair to those whom we select? Should we create false images to strive for or should we develop our own internal drives based on our own projects and circumstances?
- Types Of Atheism, Religion In History, And Philosophy Today
J.T. asks, "Should atheism be defined as an absence of belief in God (or gods)? Or should it be defined as as an explicit affirmation that gods do no exist? Is there a true distinction between these two definitions? And finally, should agnosticism be...
- Happy Einstein's Birthday
The image we are left with these days is the old uncle Albert, the friendly, wise sage. But in his younger days, he was quite the rabble rouser. A vocal opponent of WWI in Germany, he was despised by the German nationalist right with a white hot rage....
- Buffon Meets Buffoon
"Nietzsche says, 'Out of chaos comes order'" (extra credit if you name the film and give the next line). Out of denying the history of biology comes a chance to discuss the history of biology. Much has been made of Alex Beam's column in the...
- The Davinci Code Is Anti-catholic In The Same Way That Protesting The War Was Anti-american
Haven't yet seen the film and most likely wouldn't have read the book, but TheWife hates to fly. Traveling to a dear friend's wedding in New Mexico last year, she read it from Kentucky to Amarillo and demanded that I read it so that she could...
- Destroying Your Own Cultural Heritage?...timbuktu's Collection Of Islamic Manuscripts
"Did Timbuktu's Priceless Archives Really Just Get 'Wiped Out'?" by Frud Bezhan January 30th, 2013 The Atlantic For centuries, Timbuktu has been home to one of the largest collections of ancient Islamic manuscripts in the world. Now there...