https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50 HON 201 en-us 2017-09-09 01:57:33 UTC 2024-05-31 03:39:25 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Planets.png icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/186111658 Søren Kierkegaard, considered the father of Existentialism, is rarely remembered as a follower of Christ. The doubt of Philosophy and the faith of Religion are often seen as dynamically apposed to each other. Yet, in Kierkegaard, we are presented with the puzzling dichotomy of his beliefs. The quote, "The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays" is packed with tantalizing content. Primarily, notice the 'humanistic' approach to this Christian tradition. Prayer is possibly the greatest act of faith a human can embrace on a daily basis. For, not only does it assume faith in a deity, but also trusts that this deity hears your prayers, and most importantly, cares that you pray them. Kierkegaard appears to view prayer as a means to self enlightenment. He strips away the arrogance of the man who believes he could change God, and places the burden of change upon the man who prays. Thusly, Kierkegaard embodies the existentialist ideal of man's ability to self improve. If God hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, then improvement can only be made by man's understanding of his nature through prayer. God understands himself fully. No prayer ever prayed could change an unchanging God. This should raise two questions for the Christian when they read, "So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people," (Exodus 32:14, NASB). Those two questions being: Is God changing? Or is the voice who led Moses not God?]]> 2017-09-09 22:54:06 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/186111658 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/187804165 Recently, while studying Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection, I came across a tantalizingly interesting article. It claimed that scientists are currently studying examples of modern Natural Selection. The article posed the difficulty of studying something to which we normally would not be able to observe, due to it taking hundreds of thousands of yours to become apparent. Yet scientists were able to take large samples of individuals, spanning across multiple generations, from California and the United Kingdom. Scientists were able to track genetic mutations which had decreased in certain areas. Two mutations of note concern mutations from smoking, and one leading to Alzheimers. Each were found to be less influential in younger generations, presumably do to Natural Selection.]]> 2017-09-15 02:41:55 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/187804165 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/190493525 This video skims the theoretical outputs of Sigmund Freud in a very concise and empirical fashion. Sigmund Freud was a Viennese psychologist during the late 1800s, most notably know for his theories on the subconscious and early childhood development. As surprising as it may be to most 21st century westerners, the idea of the subconscious is relatively new. Our ability to scan the brain and see synapses firing has given us great superiority to our ancestors when discussing the brain. So in Freud's era, his thoughts were nouveau. This video explains many of Freud's concepts such as the ego, super ego, and id. It explains the role each has, and how their relationship develops an individual's personality.  This video also gives the viewer explanations of ideas connected to early childhood development, and psychoanalysis. One concept I find interesting about Freud's legacy is how many westerners accept his theories on the subconscious, and even his ideas about the ego, many reject his psychosexual analysis. Perhaps the evidence of its existence it not as commonly debated due to its unnerving verbiage. My hypothesis is that people normally only selectively agree with Freud as to avoid the awkward conversation brought about by his psychosexual theories. Freud's theories remain theories, but the nature of the current belief in them is fascinating.]]> 2017-09-24 01:30:18 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/190493525 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/192142723 Existentialism and absurdism have a large role to play in the molding of Modern Western Civilization. The art of the Information Age that is aware of life's aparent meaningless nature is well embodied by the work of Enrico Basta. This website showcases some of his work and his Existentialist ideals. The blurring over the eyes of the muse and the cigarette represent, to me, the hiding of the "window to the soul" and the harsh nature of an existential existence. Enrico writes, "I don’t have goals. I don’t have a second chance. I don’t have understanding. I have just me. Me against a sleepy life." This humanistic approach to life represents many Sartrean ideals, particularly the idea expressed when Sartre said, "Man is nothing else but what he purposes, he exists only in so far as he realizes himself, he is therefore nothing else but the sum of his actions, nothing else but what his life is.” Perhaps the paintings of Enrico Basta are his attempt at self-realization.]]> 2017-09-28 15:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/192142723 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/194948491 Pure Comedy, by Singer and Social commentator Josh Tillman (Father John Misty) features an in depth social critique from a very Absurdist and Secular prospective. His quippy comments such as, "They worship themselves yet they're totally obsessed
With risen zombies, celestial virgins, magic tricks, these unbelievable outfits
And they get terribly upset
When you question their sacred texts
Written by woman-hating epileptics"
Identify the strangeness of religion, and other such constructs, when we take a step back and observe them from a distance. While harsh, Christians should be able to shrug off these petty vogue ideas and secular thoughts, right?. Tillman's harsh lyrics show his deep seeded frustration of the structures that man has set up. And, I am glad he feels this way! Right or wrong, religion, humanism, science, nature, and all the other concepts we foolishly try and assign meaning to drive humans to do terrible things. Father John Misty identifies the angst and cosmic horror of the measures humans will employ to gain. Tillman makes you think, "Oh dear, humans are most definitely the worst creatures imaginable. I guess I'll move to the delta and try Ayahuasca." Please don't do that, but do listen to this song. It might help you shrug off the Illusion.]]> 2017-10-07 23:40:30 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/194948491 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/196933635 The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Spain, is a monument of reaction. It is widely considered to be a iconic architectural masterpiece of the Postmodern Era. Observe the complexity, the shocking curves, the color, and distortion... All traits of Postmodernism. Why, we must ask ourselves, create something so contrary to nature, so contrary to the past? A fair question! The Postmodern Era is one that has seen Modernity, and it's harsh climax in the great wars, and wants nothing of it. It fails, in my opinion, to recognize the progress of the previous Era, and separate the value from the harm of it. Yet, one cannot help but sympathize with something that has been shaken by the cruel devises of pure logic. There is very little solace in the will to knowledge.]]> 2017-10-13 18:18:53 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/196933635 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/199281265 Is objective morality possible without God? This debate between a devout Atheist, Sam Harris, and very intelligent Christian, William Lane Craig, juxtapose the Theistic and Atheistic conceptions of morality, and how one could derive Objective morality from each philosophy. Craig's hypothesis is that without a god, there is no foundation for absolute truth, and consequently no foundation for objective morality. Conversely, Harris states that the 'worst possible misery for everyone is the objective standard from which we must define morality. Thus creating an objective point from which to deviate, and a spectrum to follow so that we may achieve the opposite: the greatest possible joy. Each side raises wonderful points, and the idea of the 'divine command theory' is addressed. The divine command theory that insinuates that since God is good, everything he does is good, and is the standard for morality. Sam Harris debates Craig's idea by saying that the morals of the Christian God fluctuate and are counter to common morality in Western Civilization. I would add that the divine command theory is illogical due to is being reliant on something that can change, which negates its objectivity. Since God can decide what is right or wrong based on what's happening, this means that the morality itself is not objective, and the only constant for the morality is what proclaims it, namely God (i.e. Killing is good, killing is bad). What do you think?]]> 2017-10-21 16:21:13 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/199281265 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/201449784 This slide-show seeks to demonstrate the effect of postmodernism on the fashion world. It demonstrates the absurdization of normal, traditional fashion concepts, and the "yes to everything" spirit of postmodern art. This new generation of fashion designers is very bold, even beyond the stereotypical wildness of traditional catwalk fashion. The PowerPoint demonstrates how clothing and fashion no longer are defined by the hierarchy of wealth and influence, and also explains some of the wild trends of postmodern fashion. Enjoy the show!]]> 2017-10-29 00:50:29 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/201449784 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/202963110 In this video by Dr. William Craig, objectivism and Christianity are discussed. I thought this to be interesting given our Thursday discussion. Craig questions if we are even in a postmodern culture, and says that this lie of a postmodern reality will cripple the church and the relativism it brings will strip the weapons of logic and truth away from the church. He argues that people are inherently logical and believe in innate meaning. He uses the example of the labels on aspirin and rat poison, and argues that people associate inherent meaning to them. So, Christians should not respond to a postmodern culture, but a modern one. He speaks ardently for objective truths, and discusses the objective/modern appeal of Atheism. What are your thoughts?]]> 2017-11-02 15:31:06 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/202963110 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/205936695 In this article by "Cooking with Amy", Amy discusses the culinary pop icons of "Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche the Executive Chef and Pastry Chef of Moto" and their postmodern take on food. She bemoans the loss of actual taste and expertise in the new style of cooking presented at Moto. They are known for never using paper, stoves, fires, nor any traditional means of cooking and living. Instead they resort to odd, obscure forms of heating and cooling a dish. Some modes of temperature infusion involve lasers, printers, and anti-freeze. This new style of 'cooking' always gains a look of surprise and excitement from the customer, but Amy is concerned that this postmodern trend of cuisine art is actually just creativity, and not "good food". The postmodern perspective seems to have infiltrated even the most traditional arts, and perhaps not for the best. Will we lose wonderful things in the name of innovation? Amy asserts that Moto's kitchen reminded her more of a science laboratory than anything else. Has the 'test all things' idealism of postmoderns destroyed cuisine?... 
Postmodernity is not just a philosophical movement, it is a social, political, spiritual, and intellectual era. We are living on the edge of new innovation, and yet the eggs broken to make this metaphorical and literal dish were beautiful, and maybe more valuable than what their contents made. ]]> 2017-11-12 02:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/205936695 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/207971957 This video goes into an in-depth analysis of Nietzsches Slave and Master forms of morality. It describes the types of 'Masters', and defines what sets them apart. Some are creative geniousus like Mozart, some of hard workers, but all exert an independent nature, and strive to better themselves through persistance and will power. Nietzsche's idea of independence was one of the largest factors that separated the Master from the Slave. The Slaves knew they were inferior, so they could only hope to band together and indoctrinate others. The better the slaves become at this, the more damage they can cause to potential Masters who are still learning.  ]]> 2017-11-17 03:35:58 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/207971957 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/210097385 Surrealism was a revolutionary philosophy that came to prominence during the 1920s and onward. It had many avid participants, including Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, and Lee Miller. It's tennents involved expressing what thought was, stripped of conscious input and moral barriers. It was the combining of the dream and the waking thought into a singular super-reality. This philosophy birthed many brilliant artist from a variety of disciplines. It's obscure dissymmetry and realistic distortion create a very bizarre universe where normal things are turned into vivid abstractions. I believe this movement left a huge mark on the world and 
would pave the way for postmodernism. It's reletavistic, dreamlike perspective allowed artists to twist and change the normal perspective of an object into something completely new.]]> 2017-11-26 04:09:10 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/210097385 icampbell100 https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/212556423 This article is an analysis of the postmodern cause. It describes the modern era, and reflexively, the postmodern. To the writers of this article, Postmodernity is defined by its radical disassociation with the past modes of thought, economics, and politics. It says that Postmodernity realizes formost  that radically new modes of thinking are required in the wake of the past few centuries. The article writes about how the world has dramatically changed due to globalization, integration and urbanization. In the wake of such changes, the systems must now be adjusted to properly fit the changed world. Postmodernism seeks autonomy from modernity, and recognizes that modernity's philosophy failed at maintaining a modernized world.]]> 2017-12-03 01:53:35 UTC https://padlet.com/icampbell100/3mvawnh1jv50/wish/212556423