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The role of religion in society today
The role of religion in society today
Role of religion in society
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THE ANSWER A world where people and things are integrated, purposeful, beautiful is a description of the Aristotelian epoch as written by Richard E. Rubenstein. Though this vision of an ideal society (where economic growth, political expansion, and cultural optimism contribute as characteristics of that epoch) is inspiring, they are not achievable, if not ever, not yet, at least. On the other hand, Platonic epoch was described like the contrary; where humans are still held back from the full potential of humanity, with vices like self-hatred, intolerance and fanaticism. This essay will support and give explanations about why the Platonic epoch seems to be more appropriate to describe the present time in the perspective of the writer. Plato’s …show more content…
Religion is playing a big part with the society and culture of today. The idea of religion has been around for as long as one can remember, and is usually tied with the idea of getting sent to another place after death. Although some religions not only believe in a better universe, but worse one too, it is nonetheless is similar to Plato’s view of humans believing that the earth life is merely a pilgrimage. Aristotelian epoch would be filled with people that apprehend the idea of mortality, not ideas of afterlife, therefore; in this subject, present time description would be closer to Platonic, compared to Aristotelian …show more content…
The human life on earth on present time is yet to be “vast and harmonious.” Curiosity and sociability are not ceased to exist; but they are with sense of contradictions and social conflicts. It would not be fair to diminish the idea Aristotelian epoch when some parts of it are viable. The ability of understanding on how things work is one of the things that humans are trying to achieve, and is getting better at it every day, but without conflicts, there would not be anything to solve. Before every single problem in this earth is solved, the harmony that Aristotle desire for human kind would not be as near as it could be. Knowing that not every single issue in the world has been resolved, it is safe to say that we are not close to the Aristotelian
Rome had fallen. Western Civilization commenced an arduous journey from the Early Middle Ages to the ascension of modern European states. The shifting sands of society were persistent in progressing onwards. Several key events occurred during these eras and affected the route of the modern world. Each of these eras contributed valuable ideas to modern society. Furthermore, several remarkable human beings shaped the course of Western history.
Throughout its history, Europe went through several periods of dynamic change. From the 16th to the 17th century, however, these changes took a drastic shift in both religious as well as educational standards. As clearly seen through the writings of both Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis and Thomas More’s Utopia, these changes reflected a deeper movement in human culture. Referred to as the Christian Humanist movement (16th c) and the Scientific Revolution (17th c), Bacon and More capture the heart of the movement and portray it to their audiences in utopian societies. These works, then, demonstrate not only the authors’ attitudes towards the monumental changes of their time, but also the dramatic shift in ideology in approximately one hundred years.
Plato is serious in his suggestions about the human personality. No one doubts that we are likely to be happy if we didn’t second guess ourselves or go against our better judgement at times and make bad decisions. Plato also holds that our life is finest and best when we realize how far we can take our minds and take advantage of this. Unfortunately, this only happens in a person that has their life well together and is very secure with themselves.
“One of the best known and most influential philosophers of all time, Plato has been admired for thousands of years as a teacher, writer, and student. His works, thoughts, and theories have remained influential for more than 2000 years” (“Plato”). One of these great works by Plato that still remain an essential part of western philosophy today is, The Republic. Ten books are compiled to altogether make the dialog known as The Republic. The Republic consists of many major ideas and it becomes a dubious task to list and remember them all. Just alone in the first five books of the dialogue, many ideas begin to emerge and take shape. Three major ideas of The Republic; Books 1-5 by Plato, are: the question of what causes the inclination of a group,
This essay will focus on discussing the way people used to live and the beliefs they had about God being the creator and controller of the universe during the middle ages or the pre modern times by first describing what pre modernity is then following with the dynamics of that time. This essay will then discuss Descartes the father of modernity together with some other contributing philosophers, and how he changed the beliefs of the middle ages prior to the way in which people now see themselves as subjects which can give meaning to objects and are free to choose whatever meaning they want to give to themselves and their surroundings.
In this period, there are the bases for the creation of a new movement that will culminate during the 14th century. This particular view is enclosed in a sub-movement called humanism: humanists encouraged to put in the centre of the universe the man. The man is the main centre of the universe and of the thoughts. In this period intellectuals obtained answers in the works of the ancient classics, they embraced the classic culture, especially the ancient Greek culture, leading to the birth of a new science: The Philology, whose main learner was Lorenzo Valla. Classic themes are the inspiration for the artists: from poets to painters, they are all under this influence.
From the start of his society, Plato holds one idea to be truth, that all man through training, can be formed into the perfect humans. Plato believed that if he starts his society from children, that he would be able to train anyone through myths and education to become the type of person he wants them to be. Therefore, a man such as Daniel could never exist in his society, his educational system would never allow it. This is one major flaw in Plato’s argument. Plato believes that when humans are born, there is nothing to them, no preexisting personality or being inside every child. Each person from birth, is a blank slate, whose experiences and decisions make into the person that they end up being. While the way a person is raised does have an enormous impact on the life they lead, personality and traits they ar...
"Plato." Literature of the Western World, Volume 1. 5th edition by Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001. 1197-1219.
Many of our today as “normal” considered values are everything but self-evident. One of the most striking aspects in the novel is time; and our relationship towards it. “ We yearned for the future. How did we learn it that talent for insatiability. ” In this particu...
Throughout The Republic, Plato constructs an ideal community in the hopes of ultimately finding a just man. However, because Plato’s tenets focus almost exclusively on the community as a whole rather than the individual, he neglects to find a just man. For example, through Socrates, Plato comments, “our aim in founding the
The second book of the Republic shows the repressive quality of Plato’s society. Plato, talking through Socrates, wants
Plato. The Republic. Trans. Sterling, Richard and Scott, William. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1985.
The Republic is an examination of the "Good Life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic - those that lead each person to the most perfect possible life for him. Socrates was Plato's early mentor in real life. As a tribute to his teacher, Plato uses Socrates in several of his works and dialogues. Socrates moderates the discussion throughout, as Plato's mouthpiece. Through Socrates' powerful and brilliant questions and explanations on a series of topics, the reader comes to understand what Plato's model society would look like. The basic plan of the Republic is to draw an analogy between the operation of society as a whole and the life of any individual human being. In this paper I will present Plato’s argument that the soul is divides into three parts. I will examine what these parts are, and I will also explain his arguments behind this conclusion. Finally, I will describe how Plato relates the three parts of the soul to a city the different social classes within that city.
Beginning with prehistoric man, the growth and evolvement of various civilizations and the events which occurred, in one manner or another, aided in shaping the modern world that we live in today. Some of the more influential elements of everyday modern life are the result of cultural and societal changing events, which transpired throughout the years 1350-1600. During the period known today as the “Renaissance” (1350-1600), the world of art, the boundaries of marriage, and secular viewpoints were forever revolutionized, through the development and spread of “Renaissance Humanism”, which today, still affects modern day life. (Knox 1999)
All of the eulogies and speeches within Plato's novel give great insight as to the social workings and aspects of ancient Greek intellectuals. Through The Symposium the reader learns the different aspects and natures of love as viewed by these intellects. The theories and themes within the novel are discussed and compared with the opinions and beliefs of each person present. The more notable themes in the novel are the ideas of physical love and lust, and the importance of the reproduction of ideas as they are filtered through each of the speakers.