philosophy lecture 04

Introduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Philosophy

IS-VNUIS-VNUMr. Mike Mr. Mike Lecture 4Lecture 4

Introduction to Philosophy

Epicureanism Epicureanism

Stoicism Stoicism

Christianity Christianity

Stoicism

Zeno of Citium Zeno of Citium (Cyprus) – Founder (Cyprus) – Founder of Stoicismof Stoicism

Many Roman Many Roman Emperors Claimed Emperors Claimed to be Stoics – Most to be Stoics – Most Famous: Marcus Famous: Marcus Aurelius Aurelius

Often called the Often called the Official Philosophy Official Philosophy of Romeof Rome

Stoicism

Extreme RationalismExtreme Rationalism

Nature is the all Nature is the all there is to Reality there is to Reality

Nature is governed Nature is governed by Rational by Rational Principles (Logos)Principles (Logos)

God is not outside God is not outside the world, but fill the the world, but fill the world and is the world and is the “mind” of the world“mind” of the world

StoicismExtreme RationalismExtreme Rationalism

Total Rejection of Total Rejection of Plato's Metaphysic Plato's Metaphysic

There is no realm There is no realm outside of Natureoutside of Nature

After Death we are After Death we are absorbed back into absorbed back into Nature – There is Nature – There is NO Life After Death!NO Life After Death!

Stoicism

Extreme RationalismExtreme Rationalism

Since Nature is Since Nature is Rational, there is a Rational, there is a Rational Reason for Rational Reason for EverythingEverything

Therefore, we Therefore, we should not seek to should not seek to Change anythingChange anything

StoicismEmotions vs. ReasonEmotions vs. Reason

Reason and Reason and Emotions are Emotions are Opposed to Each Opposed to Each otherother

Our Reason follows Our Reason follows Nature Nature

Emotions are Emotions are Contrary to Nature Contrary to Nature because they are because they are not Governed by not Governed by ReasonReason

Stoicism

Emotions vs. ReasonEmotions vs. Reason

Emotions come from our Emotions come from our DESIRES to avoid pain DESIRES to avoid pain or obtain pleasureor obtain pleasure

““Apathea” - Separating Apathea” - Separating oneself from all desires oneself from all desires

Complete indifference to Complete indifference to both pain and pleasureboth pain and pleasure

If you can avoid desiring If you can avoid desiring anything you will also anything you will also avoid emotionsavoid emotions

Epicureanism

Epicurus – FounderEpicurus – Founder

Epicurean MetaphysicsEpicurean Metaphysics

Atomist like DemocritusAtomist like Democritus

The Universe consist of The Universe consist of Atoms and Space – Atoms and Space – Nothing else has Nothing else has existenceexistence

The Universe (collection The Universe (collection of atoms) is Eternal and of atoms) is Eternal and Indestructible Indestructible

Change is simply Change is simply reorganization of atoms reorganization of atoms

Epicureanism

Epicurean MetaphysicsEpicurean Metaphysics

DEATH – When the atoms DEATH – When the atoms that make up your body that make up your body disperse (move apart) disperse (move apart)

At Death the person ceases At Death the person ceases to existto exist

Death = Non-existenceDeath = Non-existence

Like the Stoics, Epicureans Like the Stoics, Epicureans believed that there is no believed that there is no life after death life after death

““Death is NOTHING to us” - Death is NOTHING to us” - EpicurusEpicurus

Epicureanism

Epicurean EthicsEpicurean Ethics

Since Death is non-Since Death is non-existence, we should existence, we should make the most of life – make the most of life – Enjoy life while you Enjoy life while you can!can!

The Good in life is The Good in life is HappinessHappiness

Happiness is the goal Happiness is the goal of Epicurean ethicsof Epicurean ethics

Epicureanism

Epicurean EthicsEpicurean Ethics

Happiness Happiness

Avoid ViolenceAvoid Violence

Withdraw from society Withdraw from society into a private community into a private community of Epicureansof Epicureans

Enjoy Pleasure in Enjoy Pleasure in Moderation – NOT Moderation – NOT HedonismHedonism

Don't Enjoy pleasure that Don't Enjoy pleasure that can harm you or other can harm you or other people people

Christianity

Jewish FoundationsJewish Foundations

God God (Genesis 1)(Genesis 1)

““In the Beginning, God In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the created the heavens and the earth”earth”

God is One – MonotheismGod is One – Monotheism

God is Eternal God is Eternal

God is Creator of the CosmosGod is Creator of the Cosmos

God is Involved in the WorldGod is Involved in the World

God is not part of the World God is not part of the World

Christianity



““The earth was formless The earth was formless and void...And God said, and void...And God said, 'Let there be...”'Let there be...”

God creates God creates Ex NihiloEx Nihilo (out of nothing)(out of nothing)

God creates by God creates by Verbal Fiat Verbal Fiat (God's words are the (God's words are the instruments of creation) instruments of creation)

Christianity



““And God saw that it was And God saw that it was Good.”Good.”

God is the origin of GoodGod is the origin of Good

Christianity


Humans Humans (Genesis 1-2)(Genesis 1-2)

““Let us make humans in Let us make humans in our image”our image”

Humans are Created in Humans are Created in God's ImageGod's Image

Basis of Human DignityBasis of Human Dignity

Reason that Murder is Reason that Murder is WrongWrong

Christianity


Humans Humans (Genesis 1-2)(Genesis 1-2)

““Be fruitful...fill the Be fruitful...fill the earth...Rule over the earth...Rule over the earth”earth”

Humans are created for a Humans are created for a purposepurpose

Purpose #1 – Fill the Purpose #1 – Fill the EarthEarth

Purpose #2 – Take care Purpose #2 – Take care of Creationof Creation

Christianity


Humans Humans (Genesis 2:16-17)(Genesis 2:16-17)

““And the LORD God And the LORD God commanded the man, commanded the man, ''You are freeYou are free to eat from to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 any tree in the garden; 17 but but you must notyou must not eat from eat from the tree of the knowledge the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will you eat of it you will surely die.'” surely die.'”

ChristianityJewish FoundationsJewish Foundations

Humans Humans (Genesis 2:16-17)(Genesis 2:16-17)

Humans Created with Humans Created with FreedomFreedom

Human Freedom has Human Freedom has boundariesboundaries

Humans are Accountable Humans are Accountable to God to God

Ethics – Knowledge of Ethics – Knowledge of Good and Evil is Good and Evil is determined by God not determined by God not HumansHumans

ChristianityJewish FoundationsJewish FoundationsOrigin of Evil Origin of Evil (Genesis 3:1-7)(Genesis 3:1-7)Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”

““You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Christianity


Origin of Evil Origin of Evil (Genesis 3)(Genesis 3)

Evil is not from God, Evil is not from God, therefore not part of therefore not part of CreationCreation

Evil is Disbelief and Evil is Disbelief and Disobedience to GodDisobedience to God

Evil is Self-centeredEvil is Self-centered

Christianity


Consequences of EvilConsequences of Evil

Death Death

Shame Shame

Relational BrokennessRelational Brokenness

God – HumansGod – Humans

Human – Human Human – Human

Christianity

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth

Jewish Rabbi (teacher)Jewish Rabbi (teacher)

Claimed to be a DeityClaimed to be a Deity

Crucified under Roman Crucified under Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate Prefect Pontius Pilate

His Followers Claimed His Followers Claimed He Bodily Resurrected He Bodily Resurrected after 3 Days in the after 3 Days in the GraveGrave

ChristianityJesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth EthicsEthics

Corruption of the Soul Corruption of the Soul ““Nothing outside a man can make Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean...’ man that makes him ‘unclean...’ For from within, For from within, out of men’s out of men’s hearts, come evilhearts, come evil thoughts, sexual thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”and make a man ‘unclean.’”

ChristianityJesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth EthicsEthics

Ethics is an Internal Issue Ethics is an Internal Issue not merely a concern with not merely a concern with outward behavioroutward behavior

Ethical living requires a Ethical living requires a transformation of a person transformation of a person from the inside out from the inside out

ChristianityJesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth

EthicsEthicsThe Root of Murder is Hatred The Root of Murder is Hatred and Angerand Anger““You have heard that it was said You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to with his brother will be subject to judgment.”judgment.”


EthicsEthicsThe Root of Adultery is Lust The Root of Adultery is Lust ““You have heard that it was said, You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his committed adultery with her in his heart”heart”


EthicsEthicsReligious Devotion is Religious Devotion is Internal not ExternalInternal not External““And when you pray, do not be And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” is unseen.”


EthicsEthicsSelf-Examination Self-Examination ““Do not judge, or you too will be Do not judge, or you too will be judged...Why do you look at the judged...Why do you look at the speck of dust in your brother’s speck of dust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a log in when all the time there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” brother’s eye.”


EthicsEthicsNon-Violence Non-Violence ““If someone strikes you on the If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other right cheek, turn to him the other also...You have heard that it was also...You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”those who persecute you.”

Similar to Plato and Socrates – Similar to Plato and Socrates – It is better to suffer wrongs that It is better to suffer wrongs that to commit wrogs.to commit wrogs.

Christianity

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth

EthicsEthicsEthical Standard compared Ethical Standard compared to God not other people. to God not other people. ““Be Be perfectperfect, therefore, as your , therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”heavenly Father is perfect.”


MetaphysicsMetaphysicsThe Kingdom of God/HeavenThe Kingdom of God/Heaven

Taught through a series of Taught through a series of Parables (short illustrative Parables (short illustrative stories)stories)Not a “spiritual” realm Not a “spiritual” realm separated from the “physical” separated from the “physical” realmrealmThe Kingdom is both physical The Kingdom is both physical and spiritual and spiritual The Kingdom will eventually The Kingdom will eventually overtake the current reality overtake the current reality purging it of all evil purging it of all evil

ChristianityThe Apostle John The Apostle John

LogosLogosIn the beginning was the In the beginning was the LogosLogos, , and the and the LogosLogos was with God, and was with God, and the the LogosLogos was God. He was with was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has him nothing was made that has been made...The been made...The LogosLogos became became flesh and made his dwelling flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. full of grace and truth.


LogosLogosLogos is Eternal Logos is Eternal

Logos is GodLogos is God

Logos is the Creator of the Logos is the Creator of the UniverseUniverse

The Logos became a The Logos became a Human (Jesus of Nazareth)Human (Jesus of Nazareth)

Jesus/The Logos reveals Jesus/The Logos reveals God to Humanity God to Humanity


LogosLogosJohn's Gospel (narrative John's Gospel (narrative about Jesus) records 7 about Jesus) records 7 miracles that Jesus miracles that Jesus performedperformed

Purpose of the Miracles Purpose of the Miracles according to John was to according to John was to provide evidence for faith provide evidence for faith in Jesus' Divinity in Jesus' Divinity

Christianity

The Apostle John The Apostle John

Ethics – Love PrincipleEthics – Love PrincipleReligious Devotion is measured Religious Devotion is measured by Love for other peopleby Love for other people

““Anyone who claims to be in the Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in light but hates his brother is still in the darkness... Whoever hates his the darkness... Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded because the darkness has blinded him.” him.”

ChristianityThe Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul God God ““The God who made the world and The God who made the world and everything in it...does not live in everything in it...does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath himself gives all men life and breath and everything else...‘For in him we and everything else...‘For in him we live and move and have our being...’ live and move and have our being...’ We should not think that the divine We should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and an image made by man’s design and skill.”skill.”

ChristianityThe Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul God God

God does not live in TemplesGod does not live in Temples

God does not need people to God does not need people to serve Him – He is self-serve Him – He is self-sufficient sufficient

We have our being in GodWe have our being in God

Apart from God we cannot Apart from God we cannot have existence have existence

ChristianityThe Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul God God

Nature is Evidence of Nature is Evidence of God's ExistenceGod's Existence

““Since the creation of the Since the creation of the world God’s invisible world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being been clearly seen, being understood from what has understood from what has been made, so that men are been made, so that men are without excuse.” without excuse.”

Christianity

The Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul Ethics Ethics

Everyone is Morally CorruptEveryone is Morally Corrupt

““There is no one righteous, There is no one righteous, not even one”not even one”

““there is no one who does there is no one who does good, not even one.”good, not even one.”

ChristianityThe Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul Ethics Ethics

There is in Internal Struggle Against EvilThere is in Internal Struggle Against EvilI do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...I know that nothing I do not do, but what I hate I do...I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing... So I find this law at work: When I want to do doing... So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me...What a wretched good, evil is right there with me...What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?death?


Religious Rituals cannot Religious Rituals cannot Remove EvilRemove Evil““A man is not a Jew if he is A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly...No, a only one outwardly...No, a man is a Jew if he is one man is a Jew if he is one inwardly”inwardly”

““Those sacrifices are an Those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”to take away sins.”


Removal of Evil happens Removal of Evil happens only by being Transformed only by being Transformed by Godby God““Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but this world, but be transformedbe transformed by by the renewing of your mind.the renewing of your mind.””

philosophy lecture 04

Education

god evil

earth god

world god

eternal god

lord god

monotheism god

cosmos god

god ethics knowledge