...study in the theory of knowledge and can be characterized by the investigation into the nature and grounds of knowledge; it seeks to answer questions about what kinds of things we know and how we know them1. The field is broad and relevant to many different areas of society, but there are numerous facets to epistemology that contribute to significant debate between philosophers. Churchland covers a lot of ground in this introductory chapter in epistemology, but I plan to focus on just a couple of key components presented in the chapter. In this paper, I will briefly touch upon the distinction between rational and empirical epistemology, highlighting the key arguments presented by each side. Additionally, I plan...
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...Outline I. Introduction Thesis: In studying the underlying constructs of psychology – the origins of humanity, human nature, and human purpose – one sees the extensive influence of evolution. When contrasted with the biblical view of creationism, it becomes clear that modern psychology shares little in common with biblical principles. II. Basic Constructs of Human Psychology A. Human 1. What is a human being? 2. How do humans differ from animals? B. Human Behavior 1. Thought, feeling, action 2. Inner and outer worlds of human perception III. Human Origins A. Evolution 1. Life from non-life material/Big Bang Theory 2. Genetic mutation 3. Natural selection a. Competition as the foundation of behavior b. Law of the Jungle B. Creationism 1. God created the universe and all creatures 2. Each species was created separate and distinct 3. God created man special in God’s own image IV. Human Nature A. Evolution 1. Survival of the fittest a. Social behavior b. Mating c. Reproduction 2. Behaviorism a. Behavior is a combination of social learning and genetic influencces b. Effect on antisocial behavior on reproduction 3. Biological determinism a. No real basis for free will B. Creationism 1. Humans were made in God’s image a. God is love, justice, kindness, and joyful 2. The Fall of Man separated humans from God a. ‘War’ between good and evil b. Man’s nature is now sinful 3. Jesus the Son of God redeemed human...
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...PETER SINGER ETHICS AND INTUITIONS (Received 25 January 2005; accepted 26 January 2005) ABSTRACT. For millennia, philosophers have speculated about the origins of ethics. Recent research in evolutionary psychology and the neurosciences has shed light on that question. But this research also has normative significance. A standard way of arguing against a normative ethical theory is to show that in some circumstances the theory leads to judgments that are contrary to our common moral intuitions. If, however, these moral intuitions are the biological residue of our evolutionary history, it is not clear why we should regard them as having any normative force. Research in the neurosciences should therefore lead us to reconsider the role of intuitions in normative ethics. KEY WORDS: brain imaging, David Hume, ethics, evolutionary psychology, Henry Sidgwick, Immanuel Kant, intuitions, James Rachels, John Rawls, Jonathan Haidt, Joshua D. Greene, neuroscience, trolley problem, utilitarianism 1. INTRODUCTION In one of his many fine essays, Jim Rachels criticized philosophers who ‘‘shoot from the hip.’’ As he put it: The telephone rings, and a reporter rattles off a few ‘‘facts’’ about something somebody is supposed to have done. Ethical issues are involved – something alarming is said to have taken place – and so the ‘‘ethicist’’ is asked for a comment to be included in the next day’s story, which may be the first report the public will have seen about the events...
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...“Creationism, as told in genesis is the better theory of explaining human life than evolution”. Today I am here to defend my Christian position on the creation of life in opposition to evolutionary scientific theory. I will like to begin by explaining that As a Christian we are compelled by faith by the exterior force that created life. We refer to this force as God and his son Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. We rebuke scientific evolutionary theory fabricated by man. For us Christians we seek for the truth in the word of God, which is the Bible, and the ultimate source of truth and knowledge. The opening statement of the book of Genesis 1:1 reads as follow ” In the Beginning God created the heaven and Earth” (King). Here is evidence that prove that the Supreme Being, which is God, is the only and unique basis of the creation of universe. It does not emphasize on the beginning of God, as there is not beginning or end to the existence of God. But, rather it tells us about the beginning of time and the creation of earth, as well as the environment in which we live. The book of Genesis explains in specific details how the sequence of events developed. The word of God is not a fictional source of entertainment like Charles Darwin’s book “ On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”. Although evolutionary theory is an opposition of the biblical account of creation we believe the Bible provides an accurate account that explains the creation of the earth and...
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...Endara, who wrote a critique article on Ruse and Wilson Theory of ethics, states that there are two flaws to the evolutionary ethics of Ruse and Wilson. These flaws are the shadows of suspicion and the common moral intuitions. Both are problematic because of “altruism,” or in other words, selflessness. There are two types of altruism. First, the altruistic theory of “kin selection” — doing self-sacrificing acts towards their family members. The second, reciprocal altruism, is the moral sense that prompts human beings to engage in self-sacrificing acts towards non-relatives. Ruse and Wilson might argue that humans evolved with an attitude against murder for convenience. It is not difficult to see how this might be true. A person who kills others...
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...book Mr. Coyne stated it so well and to the point: Accepting evolution needn’t turn you into a despairing nihilist or rob your life of purpose and meaning. It won’t make you immoral or give you the sentiments of a Stalin or Hitler. Nor need it promote atheism, for enlightened religion has always found a way to accommodate the advances of science. In fact, understanding evolution should surely deepen and enrich our appreciation of the living world and our place in it. (Coyne, 2009, p. xx) With this introduction to the text and Mr. Coyne’s calming of my fears that I would not burn in hell or be betraying my religion by opening my mind and heart to the information that is being provided. Why not open my mind to the possibility that the Theory of Evolution has some truth that is proven by scientific facts, I believe in medicine and that is based on scientific facts and research. The journey through each of the chapters covered in, Is Evolution True? Your Inner Fish; has been one of revelations, confusion and understanding. Come with me on my journey through, Is Evolution True. Chapter 1 – What is Evolution? This chapter begins with Mr. Coyne breaking down the meaning of evolution. He states that evolution is the idea that a species goes through varies changes in its genetic makeup through many generations which evolves it into...
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...science. As a science teacher myself, I was very interested in this subject, and how school districts nationwide are pushing initiatives recently to put intelligent design in their biology classes. These school districts are struggling with the dilemma of whether or not to teach creationism as an alternative view to evolution theory. If, as many scientific creationists believe, God's message is important in defining the content, aims, and conditions of educational practice, then creationism does belong in the classroom. However, those who propose that creationism is not science, and that "creation science" is a misnomer, are opposed to the intervention of religion into the public educational program; after all, public educational programs should be separate from concerns of the church. The Scientific Argument against Intelligent Design “Evolution has three core, defining elements, life forms change over time; they all descended from one or a few common ancestors; and natural selection produces these effects” (Slack 2007). But what exactly is Intelligent Design? Intelligent Design is a recent theory proposed that says that when you examine nature there are too many coincidences...
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...Title 1: Is there good evidence for or against the existence of God? Throughout the ages, the topic of religion has always been discussed and argued over. Some people will always argue that God does exist, whilst others will argue that he doesn’t. Firstly I would like to start my argument with the famous 13th century philosopher, Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas’ argument is known as the cosmological argument. This is the idea of: the unmoved mover, the uncaused causer and idea of contingency, these three arguments are all a posteriori (based on the evidence in the universe around us). The unmoved mover is the concept that, in theory (is logically acceptable even for an atheist), that nothing can be in motion without something first putting it into motion. This argument is very similar to Aristotle’s, which is the idea that everything that changes shape, temperature or simply into something else must be changed by something. Aquinas argued that one thing leading to another infinitely, must be wrong. Something must have been there to cause the first movement. This is why Aquinas rejects the idea of infinite regress, as he believes, that something must have set the whole chain of reactions off, for example something has to push the first domino for the chain reaction to start, and this being for Christians is the unmoved mover or in other terms God. However, many atheists reject this theory as they believe that the idea of infinite regress is very plausible. For example Aquinas...
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...psychological egoism, how arguments can be justifiably presented and why this theory is commonly appealing to philosophers. Often supporters of psychological egoism will present arguments through theories such as Darwinism and Desire Satisfaction. This essay essentially aims to critically assess the substantiality of these arguments. In order to correctly assess the arguments in favour of psychological egoism, firstly it must be stated what is implied by these arguments. Psychological egoism has many differences to other egoist theories such as ethical egoism, which state we should be selfish. Psychological egoism however states that all human actions are uncontrollably selfish, and that this is part of our human nature. It should be noted before continuing that this essay will be assessing this more radical form of psychological egoism , which identifies that ‘selfishness is’ the only way one can possibly performs actions, disregarding any consideration of others unless this aids their selfish action in some way. Psychological egoism can seem plausible to its supporters for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include the concept that desires are entirely our own and therefore pursuing any desire or action is selfish, which supports the idea that we pursue desires for our own satisfaction. A state of self- deception of our motives is also recognized as a major appeal of egoism. Finally the concept of morality is also used within psychological egoism arguments, maintaining that...
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...Prisoner's Dilemma (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) 4/3/12 9:58 AM Open access to the SEP is made possible by a world-wide funding initiative. Please Read How You Can Help Keep the Encyclopedia Free Prisoner's Dilemma First published Thu Sep 4, 1997; substantive revision Mon Oct 22, 2007 Tanya and Cinque have been arrested for robbing the Hibernia Savings Bank and placed in separate isolation cells. Both care much more about their personal freedom than about the welfare of their accomplice. A clever prosecutor makes the following offer to each. “You may choose to confess or remain silent. If you confess and your accomplice remains silent I will drop all charges against you and use your testimony to ensure that your accomplice does serious time. Likewise, if your accomplice confesses while you remain silent, they will go free while you do the time. If you both confess I get two convictions, but I'll see to it that you both get early parole. If you both remain silent, I'll have to settle for token sentences on firearms possession charges. If you wish to confess, you must leave a note with the jailer before my return tomorrow morning.” The “dilemma” faced by the prisoners here is that, whatever the other does, each is better off confessing than remaining silent. But the outcome obtained when both confess is worse for each than the outcome they would have obtained had both remained silent. A common view is that the puzzle illustrates a conflict between individual and...
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...The Fossil Record and Theories of Evolution. Introduction In general, the term 'evolution' can imply a drastic orgradual change from a very broad perspective. Life on earth, the universe,galaxies, as also the earth in general have evolved through millions of years.In this essay we consider only one aspect of evolution emphasizing on evolutionas a biological tool for change among species and consider fossil record assupportive of both evolution theories and also the other theories contrary toevolution. Evolution is the central unifying concept, a theory thatsuccessfully connects biology, paleontology and other branches of science.Evolution is a gradual descent of organisms accompanied by changes that helpthe organisms to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. 'Descent withmodifications' as Darwin contended implies changes in organisms in successivegenerations (Mayr, 1976). These changes are triggered by the derivation of newspecies and there is a change in the properties of populations of organisms andthese properties tend to transcend the lifetime of any single individual. Newerspecies are modified versions of older species. Although, individual organisms do not biologically evolve,populations evolve when heritable genetic materials are transmitted from onegeneration to another. Biological evolution can range from very limited changesto drastic transformations on a large scale changing the entire speciesaltogether and bringing in new forms. Evolution can thus be defined asinheritable...
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...solid evidence as it does give us irrefutable evidence that there is a God. It does however give rise to plausibility to the fact that the universe was created from a singular point but as Peter Atkins, a physical chemist, points out; “fine tuning” of the world may appear to be miraculous but upon further examination a naturalist explanation can be made (McGrath, 2010). Science finds answers to biological, physical and cosmological questions. Religion makes sense out of what science solves, therefore it will never find its own answer in sciences. References: McGrath, A. (2010). Science and religion. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. 2) What implications do recent developments in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science have for our understanding of religion? The recent developments in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science have provided both positive and negative effects on our understanding of religion. In Science and Religion: A New Introduction author McGrath describes how recent cognitive studies suggest that religion has a positive effect on a person’s overall wellbeing. Conversely, the psychological studies have shown that religious experiences can be reduced down to psychological episodes such as ineffability, transiency, and narcissistic wounds (McGrath, 2010). Studies have suggested that there is a psychological factor i.e. life stressors that point people toward religion but studies have also shown contributions to religion have come from the psychological...
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...the explanation of evolutionary change through phyletic gradualism, or the slow accumulation of novel adaptations over evolutionary time, culminating in the appearance of new species (speciation). Gould and Eldredge argue that evidence of gradualism would require fossil evidence of intermediary stages in a species’ evolution, with different specimen of an evolving species exhibiting ancestral traits and an increasing number of derived traits leading towards the present form. Paleontologists, however, had long noted that the fossil record was marked by long periods of stasis (on a geological scale) with the sudden appearance of new species, though these gaps were interpreted as simply missing information (Gould and Eldredge 1993). While fossil preservation is notoriously problematic (Wood et al. 1992), Gould and Eldredge (1972, 1993) proposed that the gaps in the record arise not from artifacts of preservation, but from an alternate mechanism of evolution by which small populations become isolated from parent stocks and rapidly accumulate novel adaptations leading to speciation. Thus, parent stocks remain in the geological record parallel with newly adapted species. Successfully adapted species would thereafter remain in the fossil record as well. Thus, most species in the fossil record appear in a state of equilibrium across geological time (i.e. not exhibiting any significant morphological changes), after a seemingly spontaneous appearance. The theory rests on two central...
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... “What’s the difference between creationism and evolution?” Charles Darwin’s work on evolution is the most recognized throughout history and the evidence that he discovered supporting evolution changed how many people viewed the history of our universe. His main research project was on a process called natural selection, the idea that survival of the fittest has been a main determinant is shaping how the earth and all living things appear today. Charles Darwin discuses this idea of Natural Selection in his essay “Natural Selection”, detailing evidence supporting his theory. This paper will discuss Darwin’s essay but will also go into further detail of his discoveries, other evolutionary milestones and finally comparing and contrasting the evolutionary argument to the creationism point of view. The idea of evolution first came about in the 1600’s when European naturalists started to question the current theories about how our universe was created. In 1666 the first evidence of evolution was discovered when a couple of fishermen caught a shark. On inspection they noticed that the shark’s teeth resembled “tongue stones”, thought to be triangular shaped rocks but actually fossils that came from the mouths of once-living sharks. The next major revelation came in the 1700’s when George-Louis Buffon became the first scientist to not rely on religious points of view when discussing how the earth was created. Instead...
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...Growing up, I was raised in church with my father being a pastor of a church in the community. I was taught the bible and the book of Genesis. The different beliefs that were instilled in me were to believe that God created man and woman. In evolutionary or ecology classes, we are introduced to the theory of where man came from amoeba-like organisms, or even that we evolved from apes. How did life of origin arise? The components of evolution might explain how, but Creation gives a reason to believe why. Origin of life’s existence, as well as age of the earth is a question that is looked under a microscope and probed through both biblical theories, as well as scientific. Looking at difference evidence, acceptance of creation is growing even in spite of scientists trying to prove evolution. Within this paper, there will be different pieces of evidence and facts supporting each theory and there will be an argument, within my conclusion, on which theory I support. The theory of creation can be explained through various books in the bible. Creationists use the Bible as the truth for which they believe the origin of life came into existence. In bible studies and bible school, we were taught that God took clay from the ground which he shaped to a man that he called Adam. A verse in the King James Version, of the Bible, mentions “and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Then, the Lord made...
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