*Pardon the Part III questions being out of order. Their associated numbers were not meant to be ordinal, just as they appeared on a list. It is natural that the answers may come out of order and some sooner than others. It would be too easy to solve life's problems if fate were to have itself enacted in any order we call "reasonable."
19) Essence is the quality which determines the character of something. Existence is the state of being real, present, or living. Does the state of being real go before the quality which determines the character of something? No. First, a quality can be established as a precedent or standard. After existence the cast of essence is filled, the blueprint embodied. Secondly, a quality does not have to be real to have a profoundly real impact on something. Much like the perceived meaning discussed earlier. Thirdly, must one exist before they possess a certain quality? One must certainly exist before they can embody or portray a characteristic. However, they do not need to exist to possess the potential for a characteristic. This is where the term theoretical is relevant. Numbers in theoretical astrophysics have no practical application and for all intensive purposes are not real, yet they are embodied by the figures that represent them. They possess a definitive characteristics without actually existing, just like a character in a fairy tale who lives an inspirational story. A defined quality is a priori to an object's existence. Just as the laws of thermodynamics were in affect long before they had a name, qualities of character exist before their occupying subject of existence is brought to fruition.
20) The role of faith in my life can best be described as questionable. A person's faith can be a great tool in helping them attribute meaning to their life and motivation for morality. The problems I have run into are that faith without conviction leads only to despair and that I do not believe in abiding to moral standards because you are told to do so or you fear the repercussions if you do not abide. God should not be blackmailing humanity into morality. Yet, the faith I once so firmly believe in has proven (so far) to be shadows dancing on the wall of Plato's cave. I have peered into the light but lack the courage to leave the cave all together. Yet, once I have seen the light (or at least a reflected portion) I can never look at the shadows, its mimes, or their viewers the same again.
21) Kant says you do as you are while Nietzsche says you are as you do. A faith not acted upon points towards a yielding uncertainty and unwillingness to commit. In a Kantian view if you do not enact your faith, you do not have it. You do as you are, you have not acted, therefore you have no faith. For Nietzsche, this only means that you are hesitant to commit, not that your faith is altogether dead. In all honesty I never thought I would use Nietzsche to support a Christian context and Kant against it. I believe that faith without works is not dead. What is the purpose or function of faith if it is something that must be proven through actions? Actions are such a trivial thing. The quality we are discussing is richness of faith. Actions, in all their quantifiable characteristic glory, are not nearly sensitive or accurate enough to measure one's faith.
22) The role of doubt in my life can be best described as persistent and relentless. It is unavoidable and it is (along with desire) the constant. This is the source of despair in our lives. We desire what we can not have, peace of mind. But we can, however, have contention, acceptance, and perseverance. If you have managed to evade all doubt in your life then you are truly a shameful creature who should be pitied. Even martyrs, saints, and preachers have doubt; hence the premise of faith. This, of course, leads us back to Descartes again; doubting everything including doubt itself. But that is beside the point. Doubt can be just as motivating as faith in all its inverses. For example: One could be motivated to act morally because they doubt the validity of atheism. Doubt, similar to pain, should not always be considered in such a negative light as it is provoking and motivational. The bottom line is that no matter what you believe you will, sooner or later, come to doubt it. Doubt is a part of life. Camus said that the only real philosophical question left for modern man was suicide. Camus died half a century ago and I must insist on an adjustment. The only philosophical question for the modern man is "in light of all you have learned, suffered, believed, and doubted, you are still alive, now what are you going to do about it?" You will agonize over despair, you will let down the ones you love, you will have your heart broken, you will be hated for no reason at all, coveted, betrayed, lied to, and taken advantage of; yet if you're reading this then you are still alive, and the choice is yours. What happens next? Do you doubt it?
23) No, revelation does not beget conversion. Revelation is the ultimate handicap in the cosmic game of salvation based belief. Unless a revelation is entirely omniscient and is constantly recurring (that is eternally active and occurring) it is outdated as soon as the awakening has occurred and the revelation has ended. Is conversion even that important to quest after? It is a matter of belief, you do or do not, there is no trying to believe. Eternal and everlasting, omniscient revelations such as the ones we desire do not exist for they would rob humanity of what it is that makes human life human; not freedom alone, but freedom exemplified by authenticity. This is so because we no longer have to act or believe anything on our own because it has all been provided through revelation. We have been bought by fate and bid away as slaves to destiny. If the circumstances (as described) are such that revelation does beget conversion, then our conversion is not authentic and our believe orchestrated. We are the musing puppets pulled by string to "faith." I should believe, or hope, that if God does punish as rumored then he should punish those with a pretentious righteousness more harshly than the honest and noble pagan who laments the ignorant with a hedged piety.
18) It does not matter. I do not know nor can I know. I can choose to believe whatever I like. But the cause of wanting to know one's greater purpose is either to fulfill or reject it. Both are impossible. My greater purpose can not be known because we are, or at least I am, constantly evolving and adapting my practices and perceptions, my agonies and ecstasies, my affections and my afflictions. Does a greater purpose not include our maximum potential and take into consideration our emotional evolution in its entirety? Perhaps it does. When someone posthumously finds out for certain, please, let me know. Thus, if we can not know our greater purpose we are either acting as if it does not exist or out of ignorance.
24) Soul. Decide for yourself. Many scientists, philosophers, and theologians since the dawn of time have tried to define the soul and give a universally quantifiable explanation of it. To my knowledge none have succeeded. Note the 12 different entries on the linked page. There is not even any general mention of religion among any of them. (Note: there are apx 34,000 Christian groups alone and Christianity is only one of apx 270 "Large Religious Groups" in the world). As suggested earlier, decide for yourself what the Soul is. perhaps God will correct us or we will find out after our death... or maybe not. In summary it matters little, if at all. We are people, we are human, we have proven to be so hateful, egotistical, and vengeful yet we have such a potential to be loving, compassionate, and forgiving. Decide, and do something about it.
25) I do not know. many people of many religions believe many different things and I care not to list or discuss them all (not here anyway). There is only one way to know for certain, and that is to die and return to tell us. It is important to notice the disconnect hinted at in the last few questions between knowing and believing (particularly the posthumous puns concerning the afterlife, the soul, and salvation). Alas, I do not know what I believe in (in terms of faith). I know that we all die and there is no guarantee of anything after death, much less anything we can actively do to effect the cosmos after dying. The point here is to do, during your life, what you are prepared to live with for eternity because you may well have to and you may not get a second chance.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Existential Therapy Answers Pt 2 (Questions 14 - 17)
14) What is lost if I believe in (the Christian) God and he does exist? Worldly(corporeal, material, human) gratification and pleasure are lost. What is gained? Salvation from eternal damnation, heaven, paradise, relief from sin (cleansing of the spirit), reward for morality, satisfaction (climax of life has been reached and sustained), validation (for behavior while alive), and verification (of beliefs) are gained.
15) What is lost if I believe in God and he does not exist? Worldly pleasure is lost. What is gained? Perceived morality, satisfaction of helping others, a loving life and despairing death.
16) What is lost if I do not believe in God and he does exist? My soul and my salvation from damnation are lost. What is gained? Damnation to eternal hell, correction and punishment for misdeeds and disbelief, and worldly freedom are gained.
17) What is lost if I do not believe in God and he does not exist? There is a potential to loose happiness, satisfaction, and reason for morality. What is gained. Perceived freedom is gained.
*The keystone and underlying question here is what is to be valued more? Is it personal freedom and worldly pleasures (whatever that may include) or is it eternal salvation by a celestial being? Clearly there is the most at stake when asking questions of whether or not God exists. If he does not exist, then the questions are a matter or ethics, poise, and rationality. However, when God is involved there is a threatening of punishment beyond our comprehension. Everything listed in theses answers is dependent upon the virtues one holds at the time of answering the questions. I know this is a very wishy-washy answer, but the fact of the matter is that an atheist is not going to be concerned with his eternal salvation regardless of whether God does or does not exist. It is equally irrelevant to prod at a strict theist the same way because they will hold to their beliefs relentlessly as well. I do not ask that anyone believe me or take me (or these questions) as any guide of how to live life. These are my answers generated from my beliefs via simple words in complex sentences. I believe that I ought to be honest. I can not say that you or EVERYone should be honest with themselves, but I believe that I should. What this honesty means is that I must weigh the questions personally and subjectively not democratically and rationally; emotionally and not objectively. What is most precious to be gained and most vital to be lost?
Above is a chart of how I have ranked the things that are at stake in the questions of this section. It is important to know that I developed the "key" for the rating scale AFTER I had ranked the losses and gains. The key is as follows: 1 - Very Important, 2 - Important, 3 - Somewhat Important, 4 - Negligible. What can be taken from this chart? Compare the rankings 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4. We see that the 4s are very true and that is because losing being eternally damned is (by way of double negatives) a good thing and moral satisfaction is often superficial, pretentious, and overzealous. The 3s are accurate but may contradict. The 2s are also accurate but may contradict. But what is particularly important are the 1s. They are very true as salvation is a terrible thing to loose and freedom is a precious waste if it is not gained. It is also important to note that worldly pleasure is not automatically a "sin of the flesh" but rather all things that make us human and make this world manageable and barely enjoyable. Freedom is king, I do not fear damnation if I can say with absolute conviction that I have lived my life authentically with sincerity, honesty, compassion, a hint of bitterness, sympathy, gratitude, and embraced all that I love, all that I hate, all that scorns me, all that loves me, everything I am, and everything I have failed to be.
15) What is lost if I believe in God and he does not exist? Worldly pleasure is lost. What is gained? Perceived morality, satisfaction of helping others, a loving life and despairing death.
16) What is lost if I do not believe in God and he does exist? My soul and my salvation from damnation are lost. What is gained? Damnation to eternal hell, correction and punishment for misdeeds and disbelief, and worldly freedom are gained.
17) What is lost if I do not believe in God and he does not exist? There is a potential to loose happiness, satisfaction, and reason for morality. What is gained. Perceived freedom is gained.
*The keystone and underlying question here is what is to be valued more? Is it personal freedom and worldly pleasures (whatever that may include) or is it eternal salvation by a celestial being? Clearly there is the most at stake when asking questions of whether or not God exists. If he does not exist, then the questions are a matter or ethics, poise, and rationality. However, when God is involved there is a threatening of punishment beyond our comprehension. Everything listed in theses answers is dependent upon the virtues one holds at the time of answering the questions. I know this is a very wishy-washy answer, but the fact of the matter is that an atheist is not going to be concerned with his eternal salvation regardless of whether God does or does not exist. It is equally irrelevant to prod at a strict theist the same way because they will hold to their beliefs relentlessly as well. I do not ask that anyone believe me or take me (or these questions) as any guide of how to live life. These are my answers generated from my beliefs via simple words in complex sentences. I believe that I ought to be honest. I can not say that you or EVERYone should be honest with themselves, but I believe that I should. What this honesty means is that I must weigh the questions personally and subjectively not democratically and rationally; emotionally and not objectively. What is most precious to be gained and most vital to be lost?
| (Question) Gain (Rank) | (Question) Loss (Rank) |
| (14) Salvation (2) | (14) Damnation (4) |
| (15) Moral Satisfaction (4) | (15) Worldly Pleasure (2) |
| (16) Worldly Pleasure (3) | (16) Salvation (1) |
| (17) Freedom (1) | (17) Moral Incentive (3) |
Above is a chart of how I have ranked the things that are at stake in the questions of this section. It is important to know that I developed the "key" for the rating scale AFTER I had ranked the losses and gains. The key is as follows: 1 - Very Important, 2 - Important, 3 - Somewhat Important, 4 - Negligible. What can be taken from this chart? Compare the rankings 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4. We see that the 4s are very true and that is because losing being eternally damned is (by way of double negatives) a good thing and moral satisfaction is often superficial, pretentious, and overzealous. The 3s are accurate but may contradict. The 2s are also accurate but may contradict. But what is particularly important are the 1s. They are very true as salvation is a terrible thing to loose and freedom is a precious waste if it is not gained. It is also important to note that worldly pleasure is not automatically a "sin of the flesh" but rather all things that make us human and make this world manageable and barely enjoyable. Freedom is king, I do not fear damnation if I can say with absolute conviction that I have lived my life authentically with sincerity, honesty, compassion, a hint of bitterness, sympathy, gratitude, and embraced all that I love, all that I hate, all that scorns me, all that loves me, everything I am, and everything I have failed to be.
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