ARCHIVE - christian roots - Week 2 Grant, Science and Religion, ch. 1-3

ARCHIVE - Christine Pess

peschr27 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:57:02 -0700

Aristotle believed that "sense perception [was] the basis of human knowledge" (Grant, 44), but also acknowledged that certain things could not be learned through the senses alone. What would Aristotle say about the modern dependency on computers for scientific research? Has our preoccupation with technology turned us away from sensing nature?

ARCHIVE - Alie Perez

perali17 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:18:12 -0700

Of the theories presented by pre-Socratic philosophers the atomic theory proposed by Leucippus and Democritus in fifth century BC (59-60) is one of the most intriguing in foreshadowing what would be explored and observed in future science. But while the idea of atoms and the void and those qualities and configurations stand out as familiar the ideas proposed of an “infinite universe with innumerable worlds existing simultaneously” (74) was not thoroughly reexamined until contemporary history (i.e. quantum physics). Was this because of the fact that this was “ a doctrine that most Christians would find objectionable” (91) or something else? How much of what was excepted and not of early theories was based on religion and how much was based on other reasons such as later philosophers, writers and commentators rejecting theories? (i.e. in the case of Aristarchus, 82)

ARCHIVE - Matthew Walker

walmat28 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:06:22 -0700

Is it good for all of mankind to follow the teachings of one person? In the text (pg. 39) it says that his theories withstood almost 2,000 years. Is this not dangerous for the progression of mankind to just blindly follow one man for millennia? Wouldn't it be better to follow the studies of many great minds? I find it quite dangerous to just follow the ideas of only one person, and retards the progression of knowledge.

ARCHIVE - Charlie Behnke, Republic forum question

behcha09 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:43:59 -0700

Elenchus, "Socrates method of inquiry (X)", generally of that which is virtuous: "Justice, piety, courage, moderation, wisdom, friendship, and other conventionally recognized virtues."(X) "Socrates believed that regular elenctic philosophy makes people happier and more virtuous than anything else."(X) "Plato suggests that the use on or by young people", of elenchus, "may result in becoming immoral sensualists."(X) Plato goes on to say that Socratic Elenchus,"must be practiced only by mature people who have mastered the mathematical sciences."(XI) What is Plato's reasoning behind this statement? What might be Plato's definition of an immoral sensualist?