I can't figure out if Durant is a Christian; from the way he writes it's hard to tell. He starts off a section on Christ describing how others have viewed Christ and his life and ministry. That's all fine and good, but the more I read the more I believe that Durant was not a Christian. I am basing this totally off of what I have read of him so far.
Why does this bother me? At first I wasn't sure; but now I know. If I want to know about Christ, or anything, the first place I will look is at a primary source, such as the Bible. There are four differing accounts of His life and ministry found in the King James Version. This tells me quite a bit about Jesus.
If I want to find out something bad about Jesus, or anything else, I probably won't go to someone who favors him. I would go to an anti-Christian. I'm not saying Durant is anti-Christian or anything like that, but I still think his view of Christ is a bit slanted. I believe he tried his best to make all of his books an unbiased view of historical events, but that is not possible. But there is still worth in reading books like these. They expose us to differing opinions.
Last week I was given a book called the Archetype of Philosophy, but Douglas J. Soccio. It appears to me to be a college textbook. I love it though. I've read about 20 pages, but have learned lots. Here are a few excerpts, and my opinions on them.
"The word philosoph comes from the Greek roots meaning 'the love of wisdom.'"
"Perhaps the chief difference between just talking about philosophical ideas and actual philosophizing about them involves the degree of rigor and discipine you apply to your reflections."
I don't like this much. It limits what is philosophy, and what is not. I love to sit still and think. Maybe I don't think of traditional philosophical questions; but if I am pondering different topics, whether in the gospel or not, I believe I am philosophizing. If I am just thinking of a girl or something, then I am not. But if I am reflecting on an idea, I think I am philosophizing.
"Why do we go through the struggle to be educated? Is it merely in order to pass some examinations and get a job? Or is it the function of education to prepare us while we are young to understand the whole process of life? Having a job and earning one's livelihood is neccessary - but is that all? Are we being educated only for that? Surely, life is not merely a job, an occupation; life is wid...e and profound, it is a great mystery, a vast realm in which we function as human beings. If we merely prepare ourselves to earn a livelihood, we shall miss the whole point of life; and to understand life is much more important than merely to prepare for examinations and become very proficient in mathematics, physics, or what you will."
Heck Yes!!!!! I love this because to most people, life is a chore; a job. I believe there is a lot more to life than working, coming home, being with family, repeat 5 days a week. No! There is so much to learn, so much to do, I am suprised how many people can find no other intereing thing to do than stare at a screen for hours on end! (OK, maybe I do it sometimes too) I have read 70 books in the last 8 months. I haven't even made a dent in the lsit I want to read.The book discusses relativism quite a bit. Relativism is "the belief that knowledge is determined by specific qualitites of the observer." The discussion goes through how we each are different, and have different people and events shape us in different ways. That is why there are so many conflicting beliefs today is becaus everyone views their opinion and the absolute truth.
Relativism has become widespread in this day and age. This theory of truth has destroyed common values. Before relativism became widespread, most people were honest, trustworthy people. They obeyed the law, and were good, upright citizens. Now, I wouldn't trust kids to my neighbor. Why is this?
I think this has happened due to our lack of common values. It would seem, if we pay attention to the media, that most people are gay, they are racist, or sexist. I don't believe the majority of people are those. I think it is a small minority. They get people to feel sorry for them through the media, then their numbers grow. But I still believe most people are good, moral people.
"In the serious pursuit of knowledge - and wisdom - no area is off-limits, no important question unasked. Comtemporary philosophers Daniel Kolak and Raymod Martin capture this feature of philosophy especially well.
'There is a frozen sea within us. Philosophy is an axe. Everything you believe is questionable. How deeply have you questioned it? The uncritial acceptance of beliefs handed down b...y parents, teachers, politicians, and religious leaders is dangerous. Many of these beliefs are simply false. Some of them are lies designed to control you. Even when what has been handed down is true, it is not your truth. To merely accept anything without questioning it is to be somebody else's puppet, a second-hand person.
Beliefs can be handed down. Knowledge can perhaps be handed down. Wisdom can never be handed down. The goal of philosophy is wisdom. Trying to hand down philosophy is unphilosophical. Widsom requires questioning what is questionable. Since everything is questionable, wisdom requires questioning everything. That is what philosophy is: the art of questioning everything.' "
'There is a frozen sea within us. Philosophy is an axe. Everything you believe is questionable. How deeply have you questioned it? The uncritial acceptance of beliefs handed down b...y parents, teachers, politicians, and religious leaders is dangerous. Many of these beliefs are simply false. Some of them are lies designed to control you. Even when what has been handed down is true, it is not your truth. To merely accept anything without questioning it is to be somebody else's puppet, a second-hand person.
Beliefs can be handed down. Knowledge can perhaps be handed down. Wisdom can never be handed down. The goal of philosophy is wisdom. Trying to hand down philosophy is unphilosophical. Widsom requires questioning what is questionable. Since everything is questionable, wisdom requires questioning everything. That is what philosophy is: the art of questioning everything.' "
I liked this at first, but as I thought more about it, the more it has bothered me. i think most things can and should be questioned. Is God there? I have asked this. What is real? Why are we here? What is the point of life? Why get an education? Is family important? Why can't I do what I want? We have asked some, and many more questions like these.
"I see many people die because they judge that life is not worthy living. I see others paradoxically getting killed for the ideas and illusions that give them a reason for living (What is called a reason of living is also an excellent reason for dying), I therefore concluded that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions."
We need to find answers to them. Fortunately, the Gospel of Jesus Christ answers many of these. We need to find for ourselves if it is true or not. But some things, like why the Lord commanded polygamy at one time, are things we may not know or understand in this lifetime. Some things we just have to take on faith.
"The word philosophy comes from Greek roots meaning 'the love of wisdom.' Philosophy.... is an activity as well as a fixed body of knowledge.... Areas of philosophy includes metaphysics, epsitemology, axiology, aesthetics, political philosophy, social philosophy, and logic."
here is a talk we discussed in Priesthood meeting yesterday during church. The discussion shifted my attitude towards work and others. I was totally being very judgemental of everyone and everything. Just another example why we go to church, and how it is still possible to teach an old dog new tricks. It was also a slap on the hands; a wake up call that I need fix my attitude. I hope you enjoy it as much as me.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-merciful-obtain-mercy?lang=eng
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