"Europeans were less interested by the New World than their Classical Heritage"
"Europeans were less interested by the New World than their Classical Heritage" The discovery of the Americas in 1492 was a massive challenge to the accepted notions of the world; a world which was still viewed by many in Ptolemaic terms, and laid claims against the accepted wisdom concerning geography, theology, history and the very nature of man. However, despite the momentous implications of a new land and, more importantly, its heathen peoples, there was an apparent slowness to take any real notice of the New World from within the Old World. This lag cannot be explained either by slow dissemination of the news, nor by a lack of understanding of the importance of the discovery. Peter Martyr wrote to the Count of Tendilla and the Archbishop of Grenada in September 1493 to spread the news, opening with the words "Raise your spirits... Hear about the new discovery!" He talked of the gold Columbus found as well as the important news of the men they found, who were naked yet fought with bows and staves; men who had kings competing for power and yet worshipped celestial bodies. The excitement of the initial news was tremendous, and this was reflected in the demand for literature concerning the new discovery. Columbus's first letter concerning his discovery was reprinted 9 times by the end of 1493 and at least 20 times by 1500. Montalboddo's voyages went into print 15 times by
Examine the evidence for the existence of a non-material soul.
Examine the evidence for the existence of a non-material soul. The beliefs of the soul stems from life after death, which has been categorized because hell and heaven are associated with life after death but so is the soul. There are many beliefs based on the soul, not just from the religious perspective but also from people who have developed their own beliefs and ethics based on God and life after death. There are dualists such as Plato who believe a soul is essential and a body is not required to be a full person, Materialists who believe that conscious feelings is brain activity and also religious beliefs about the soul. Rene Descartes was a Cartesian Dualist. He was a Christian but a Dualist at the same time. He believed that all the feelings and sensations were in the mind since they could be discovered physically. Something that was not physical was a part of the mind and he concluded by saying, "I think therefore I am." From this point of view the mind and body are separate but these two interact. Mental reality is not based on experience and is not in the world of space. Dualism rests on certain concepts. The mind is non-corporeal substance, which is distinct from bodily substance. Every substance has a property. For example, the property is the mind and the substance is consciousness. The mind is a substance 'whose whole essence is to think' and therefore takes
To investigate whether abrogation took place in the Qur'an.
To investigate whether abrogation took place in the Qur'an, it is important to firstly define what abrogation is. Abrogation is an English term meaning 'cancellation', 'annulment' or 'repeal.' The word corresponds with the Arabic term nasikh. However, the Arabic term does not have the same negative connotations as abrogation. Now that the word abrogation has been defined, it is possible to investigate whether abrogation took place in the Qur'an and whether it corresponds to the English terminology or not. One of the methods used to do this was to look at the chronology of the revelations. Another method is to look at the verses and to see whether they can be classified as abrogating or abrogated. In the book The Qur'an and its Exegesis: Selected Texts with Classical and Muslim Interpretations, The author says that the Qur'anic doctrine itself said, "Certain verse can be abrogated by others," therefore the task of discovering those verses was important.1 Chronology was a method used to determine when verses were revealed. It helped to understand the situation the verses were revealed in.2 By understanding the order of the verses, it allowed scholars to distinguish between those verses that were abrogating and those that were abrogated. The early Muslim scholars categorized verses into Meccan and Medinan periods. These were then further divided "into sub-periods,
IS A LIFE THAT COULD BE LIVED FOREVER MORE MEANINGFUL THAN ONE THAT WOULD END? What is the meaning of life? . Why are we here? Why do we live only to die? These questions obtrude themselves everywhere
Diane Callaghan DIPHE. PHILOSOPHY IS A LIFE THAT COULD BE LIVED FOREVER MORE MEANINGFUL THAN ONE THAT WOULD END? What is the meaning of life? . Why are we here? Why do we live only to die? These questions obtrude themselves everywhere, with direct answers not always available. An individuals first approach to philosophy is often due to the hope of finding clear answers to such questions. Philosophy according to its original Greek meaning and common English usage, is the love or pursuit of wisdom, and wisdom means action. Hence, the philosophical motive is the will to understand ones experience as a whole and to act accordingly. However, like many other intellectual disciplines many differential theories have been offered in the hope of an answer. These theories past and present will be explored underpinning spiritual and religious beliefs. Over time, the power of religious belief has weakened. In earlier times, that religious belief was thought to give meaning to ones life and existence. Now however religious practises and traditions are more heavily criticised than before, even by the believers themselves. The discovery of modern science and its explanations as to why we exist have also had a profound effect on mans conception of himself. Science has offered the exploration that our planet is an insignificant entity in comparison to the rest of the
How does the view of modern media and literature vary to the biblical literature on the medical developments of Cloning?
How does the view of modern media and literature vary to the biblical literature on the medical developments of Cloning? This essay deals with the issues raised in the media by the rapid technological developments of cloning and in particular on the religious beliefs of the uniqueness of life. It will also touch upon the ethical and legal issues brought about through out the development of cloning. A clone is a group of genetically identical organisms. Identical twins are therefore a clone since both come form one fertilised egg that is divided into two genetically identical cells that then separate. In the process of mammalian cloning there are two processes. Nuclear Transfer is where the nucleus is removed from the unfertilised egg cell; this eliminates all its genetic information. The cell nucleus of the individual being cloned is introduced into the enucleated egg cell though cell fusion. If this is done in the right conditions, the egg cell then begins to divide and go through a process of foetal developments as if it had been fertilised normally. 2The other process is artificial twinning which is a process of splitting the embryo into two or more embryos. First an egg cell is fertilised by sperm, then left to grow into an embryo. The embryo is split into two or more embryos when it is still in the early stage of development. The split embryo are nurtured into new
When, if ever, is coercion exercised by governments and political institutions legitimate?
When, if ever, is coercion exercised by governments and political institutions legitimate? To question the necessity and validity of coercion in today's society would fundamentally be to question the basis of our state, as political institutions have been democratically given authority over us for centuries. Coercion, practiced by those in authority, would best be defined as a government using the means of force and restraint to ensure cooperation, such as punishment through fines and jail if one does not pay their taxes, for example. The problem here is that the force used to coerce a community may be unnecessarily overbearing, as it may restrict lives, urges and needs. So we should in fact question, which of the situations allowing coercion to occur are legitimate or not. How can this legitimacy be established? Or when should an individual let a political institution coerce him. My aim, to quote Estienne de la Boëtie in his work La servitude volontaire, 'is to discover how it can happen that a vast number of individuals, of towns, cities and nations can allow one man to tyrannize them, a man who has no power except the power they themselves give him.'1 A view held in past centuries that had given unquestionable power to monarchs, clergy, and masters, was the divine authority theory. Those in power and their inferiors believed that G_d2 had given them power and authority
THE RISE AND FALL OF PAGANISM
To what extent did Julian's paganism resemble pre-Constantinian pagan religious practice and how did it differ? What problems did pagans have with Julian's religious approach? THE RISE AND FALL OF PAGANISM A vital aspect of any civilization is their religion. Not only does it serve as a guide for communities on how to act and to live together, but it is also a central governing body of the community, often working side by side with the local government. In today's society Christianity is the most common and popular religion. It has also given rise to other religious groups such as Protestantism and Anglicanism. In ancient times, however, paganism was the standard of religion. According to the definition found in the Catholic encyclopaedia, Paganism, in the broadest sense includes all religions other than the true one revealed by God, and, in a narrower sense, all except Christianity, Judaism, and Mohammedanism. The term is also used as the equivalent of Polytheism (q.v.). It is derived from the Latin pagus, whence pagani (i.e. those who live in the country), a name given to the country folk who remained heathen after the cities had become Christian.1 Paganism can also be described as a religious practice that was formed from the merging of fragments of beliefs, rituals, superstitions and traditions of the ancient civilization. There is no one doctrine or central writing
Were there any significant ideological differences between Nazism and Fascism during the inter-war period?
NAZISM + FASCISM * Were there any significant ideological differences between Nazism and Fascism during the inter-war period? * Behind the official image of the new regimes in Italy and Germany was to be found the decomposition of nineteenth century liberalism. The 'new orders' established a different set of values and purposes as a reaction to western individualism and the laissez-faire society that was seen as decadent. The entry of the masses into politics and the intellectual revolution in social thought where 2 important developments at the turn of the century. In contrast to Britain and France, Italy had achieved national unification in the 1860's. Strong regionalism and weak inefficient governments presiding over an agricultural economy created social tensions. These were greatly heightened in 1896 when Italy was defeated in Ethiopia whilst trying to expand its fledgling empire. In Italy, in 1919 Mussolini's Fascist movement emerged onto the political scene. A revolutionary radicalism of the right, action orientated, ultranationalism, anti-Marxism, anti-liberalism, anti-democracy, anti-pacifism. Later that year a similar movement but far more racist and violent, Adolf Hitler's National Socialism, emerged in Germany. Ideologically the state, not the individual, counted. Politically, dictatorship from above, not consent from below was imposed.
Women have the right to do what they want with their own bodies and since the foetus is part of the womans body, abortion is justified.
Abortion "Women have the right to do what they want with their own bodies and since the foetus is part of the woman's body, abortion is justified." "God is the only one who knows how many children we should have and we should be ready to accept them. One can't decide for oneself who comes into this world and who doesn't. That decision doesn't belong to us."1 Mel Gibson has a very valid point which is shared by many people. It's true, we can't decide who should live and who should die. As Mel Gibson says the decision does not belong to us, it belongs to God as God is the one who gave us life. The bible says: "Do you not know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ..... You are not your own, you were bought at a price"2 Women cannot therefore decide for themselves who should die because it isn't their decision. God creates everything, even a baby in the womb is molded by him. Killing a child in the womb is killing part of the family of God. Abortion is defined as the: "Intentional destruction of a foetus or a premature expulsion from the womb to cause death."3 Two methods of abortion are Vacuum Aspiration and Salt Saline Solution. Vacuum Aspiration is when the baby is broken up in the womb by a vacuum and sucked into a glass jar. This is seen in the video The Silent Scream. The head is crushed by forceps as it is too big to suck out whole. Vacuum Aspiration
Why were the games important for the Romans? The games were important to the Romans for three main reasons, which will be explored in this essay. Firstly
Part 2 - Why were the games important for the Romans? The games were important to the Romans for three main reasons, which will be explored in this essay. Firstly, and most significantly, they provided the Romans with a sense of civilised order and democratic influence. Secondly the games held a mythological importance and religious symbolism which was inherent in society. Finally, the games reinforced already strong Roman values and morals. Each of these elements served to make the games vital to Roman society and culture. When the democratic system was altered to an imperial one, the emperors needed a way to appease the people, although they had lost the right to vote. The games fulfilled this role. To the Romans, the amphitheatre was a place of order, a triumph over chaos and lawlessness. They could communicate their feelings, and as the Emperor attended these games, they had the opportunity to voice their opinions directly to him. Occasionally it might be complaints about the cost of wheat, or calling for the removal of an unpopular official. The security of the crowd facilitated this, and the impression of direct communication was perhaps of more importance than the actual communication. The arena was a place of justice, where people saw criminals executed and social order established, and Romans had an interactive part to play; "The spectators demand that the slayer
