Proof For The Existence Of God Philosophy Essay

Proof For The Existence Of God Philosophy Essay Opinions relating  in favor of and in opposition to the  existence of God  have been controversial from many years as anticipated by philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others. The discussion with reference to the existence of God is very traditional and most argued debates in  human history. The existence of God is a matter of debate in philosophy,  the  philosophy of religion, and  popular culture. This report presents the different sides and opinions of philosophers that at different time periods argued about the existence of God and its need as well as the analysis of different views to present the controversial topic in detail. Definition of God In contemporary Western culture, the perception of God normally relates to a  monotheistic, superlative, eventual, and personal being. This view is mostly originated from Christian and Hebrew traditions.  Traditional view  portrayed God as having perfection in almost everything. Many religions and different societies believe that God is a body that cannot be defined. They alleged that this act can deny the magnificent nature of God. Some traditional philosophical approaches defined God as the prime mover or the uncaused cause, the ultimate creator, or a being that than which nothing greater can be conceived. (Steve Rudd, 2012) Arguments for the existence of God Aquinas Five Ways argued that the God exists and its necessary to prove this controversy. The summarized points from that literature are discussed below: The  argument relating unmoved mover  emphasized that, we experience motion in the universe from where we assume that there exists an initial mover. Aquinas predicted that the motion is created because of an unmoved object; therefore there must be an unmoved mover. Aquinas  another view discussed that from first cause  foundation it is impracticable for an organism to create itself. Therefore, it predicts that there must be a first cause that is itself uncaused. The argument from  necessary being  declares that all organisms are  conditional which means that they also have choice of non existence. Aquinas therefore sets his point that if everything chooses not to exist, then we may not have anything in the universe. But as things exist now, there must exist a being regarded as God with  necessary existence. Aquinas  argued from degree of goodness that there are always things that are good or bed from others. He believed that there must be a maximum goodness which causes all goodness. The  teleological argument  asserts the view that unintelligent things are ordered to be in position. Aquinas concentrates on the view that unintelligent objects can only be ordered by an intelligent being, which proves that there must be an intelligent being God to move objects to specific purpose. (Theodore Gracyk, 2004) The ontological argument was presented by philosophers including  St. Anselm  and  Renà © Descartes. The argument puts forward that the existence of God is obvious and self-evident. The formulation of logic they proposed is presented below: God is the greatest conceivable being. It is greater to exist than not to exist. Therefore, God exists. (Oppy and Graham, 1996 revised in 2011) Different philosophers argued that the existence of God in not necessary because there is no proof that if something is predictive or superlative it also exists. The debate was controversial and is also in modern time builds up the arguments to conclude that either God exist or not and if its existence is necessary. Arguments from historical events or personages Christianity  and  Judaism  believe that God interfered and shows his existence in almost every specific event and situations in history. Those events and the interference proved that there is empirical evidence that God exists. For example the event of Exodus  and the giving of the  Ten Commandments  in front of all the tribes of Israel. The Resurrection of Jesus argues that there is adequate historical confirmation for resurrection of Jesus to support his asserts to be the son of God which proved the Gods existence.  This argument stem from the  Christological argument. Islam  argued that the revelation of its holy book, the  Quran, justifies its heavenly authorship, and thus the existence of God. The bible that is Holy book of Christians argued that there is one mighty and strong being in the universe, which declares the existence of God. (Dr. Andrew Corbett, 2009) Hindu arguments Most schools of Hinduism believe that there is existence of God but some of them dont believe that. Law of karma provide basis of the existence of God. They believe that the actions of karma are not performed by humans and one own self so there must be an existence of God to control and monitor all karmatic actions. They also believe that fruits of karma are transferred and dispensed through a body that is known as God and thus proved the existence. (Siyam, 2012) Arguments from testimony Arguments from testimony are based on experience of witnesses, possibly exemplifying the intentions of a specific  revealed  religion.  It is the fundamental of rationality that one should accept testimony except there are powerful motives for not doing so. Arguments against the existence of God Each of the following arguments aims at showing either that a particular subset of gods does not exist through contradictions in arguments or that there is insufficient reason to believe in them. Some arguments are discussed below that present the opposite and contradictory views relating existence of God. Empirical arguments Empirical arguments depend on  empirical data  in order to prove their conclusions. The major arguments can be derived from the traditional and religious  scriptures like the Jewish  Tanakh, the  Christian  Bible, the  Muslim  Quran,  Hindu  Vedas. The understanding of scripture provide basis to the knowledge of Gods existence. The theist arguments relating existence of God and its fundamentals are called  theodicies. The  argument from nonbelievers  contests the existence of an omnipotent God who wants humans to believe in him by arguing that such a god would do a better job of gathering believers. (Lawrence Croker, 2011) Deductive arguments Deductive arguments attempt to prove their conclusions by  deductive reasoning  from true premises. The  Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit  is a counter-argument to the  argument from design. The argument rests on the view that there is a designer that creates complex structures and design. So the God, we are talking about, should be as complicated as all things He has created in the universe. This situation also requires a designer. And its designer would also require a designer, ad infinitum. Therefore the views create infinite contradiction that there is a need of another designer to create a complex being. The  omnipotence paradox  recommends that the perception of an  omnipotent  being is rationally conflicting, for instance, for this purpose, questions like is GOD have all the authority? or can a mountain be created by God, so big that it cannot be moved by Himself. The Omniscience paradox demonstrates a different angle of the omnipotence paradox. Omnipotent and omniscience disagree with with concept of existence of God. The  problem of hell  is the idea that everlasting damnation for actions committed in a finite existence contradicts Gods  omnibenevolence  or  omnipresence. A contradictory argument against the  Cosmological argument  i.e. chicken or egg is based on supposition that things cannot subsist without creators therefore should also apply to God creation and existence. This also lays foundation that existence of universe as a second cause. Theological noncognitivism also contradict the god-concept by showing that scientific test cannot verify it. This argument says that if God is morally perfect, omniscient and omnipotent, than instead of imperfect human beings, He would have created other morally perfect beings. (John Shook, 2011) Inductive arguments Inductive arguments predict existence of God based on  inductive reasoning. The  atheist-existentialist  argument that it is impossible to present existence of a perfect sentient being. It also argued that if  existence comes before spirit, it  follows from  the connotation of the expression  sentient that a sentient being cannot be inclusive or perfect. No reason argument attempts to reveal that an omniscient or omnipotent probably have no reason to do it in this way, especially the creation of universe, as it may likely to have no wants, needs, or desires etc. as these concepts are strictly relevant to human beings. so omnipotent god cannot exist until the universe exists. Since the universe exists, there is a contradiction, and therefore, an The other argument known as historical induction concludes that since most theistic religions all the way through narration and their gods ultimately come to be considered as fictitious or mistaken, all theistic religions, including contemporary ones, are therefore most likely untrue and incorrect by induction. (John Shook, 2011) Subjective arguments Similar to the  subjective  arguments for the existence of God are contradictory with the supernatural that chiefly based on the testimony or experience of witnesses, or the suggestions of a  revealed  religion  in common. The spectator argument provides trustworthiness to personal witnesses, contemporary and from the past, who disbelieve or strongly doubt the existence of God. The disappointment argument claims that if, when asked for, there is no visible help from God, there is any reason to believe that there is a God. (John Shook, 2011) Conclusions Conclusions on the existence of God can be categorized along abundant axes, producing a variety of vies about the existence and non existence of God.  Theism  and atheism  are positions of belief (or lack of it), while  Gnosticism  and  agnosticism  are positions of knowledge (or the lack of it)  is concerns belief regarding Gods conceptual coherence.  Apatheism  concerns belief on the subject of the practical importance of whether God exists or not. The above discussion presents both views of the different philosophers and testimonies relating God existence. The views presented above are justified and contradicted based on different arguments and discussions based on several philosophical authors and religions therefore clearing the views of both sides that either God exist or not exist. The topic is still controversial and several philosophers are still arguing and practice their specific opinions relating this fact.

Walmart Income Statment Comparative Analysis

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Comparative Consolidated Income Statement 2012 Amount Percent 443,854 100. 0% 335,127 75. 5% 108,727 24. 5% 85,265 19. 2% 23,462 5. 3% 3,096 0. 7% 2,160 0. 5% 24,398 5. 5% 7,944 1. 8% 16,454 3. 7% 2011 Amount Percent 418,952 100. 0% 314,946 75. 2% 104,006 24. 8% 81,361 19. 4% 22,645 5. 4% 2,897 0. 7% 2,004 0. 5% 23,538 5. 6% 7,579 1. 8% 15,959 3. 8% 2010 Amount Percent 405,132 100. 0% 304,106 75. 1% 101,026 24. 9% 79,977 19. 7% 21,049 5. % 2,953 0. 7% 1,884 0. 5% 22,118 5. 5% 7,156 1. 8% 14,962 3. 7% Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit Operating Expenses Income from Opertaions Other Revenues and Gains Other Expenses and Losses Income before Income Tax Provision Income Tax Provision Net Income From above comparative income statement for threes years, Walmart has lower percentage gross profit for 2012 compare with previous two year, which caused by increased cost of goods sold.However the dollar amount for net sales is increasing from year to year. Operating expenses are decreased for the percentage comparation, this is a favorable trend. Again the dollar amount increased. Even the other renenues, gains and other expenses, losses percentage remain the same for the past three years, but dollar amount increased. The income tax rate for the past three years are remained consistent .

Designing With Feng Shui in Mind

Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is a learned and intuitive art of understanding the energy of elements. The goal of this Chinese philosophy is harmony and balance, which some people have compared with the Western Classical ideals of symmetry and proportion. Feng is wind and shui is water. Danish architect Jà ¸rn Utzon combined these two forces of wind (feng) and water (shui) in his Australian masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House. Seen from this angle,  says Feng Shui Master Lam Kam Chuen, the whole structure has the quality of a craft with full sails: when the energy of the Wind and Water move together in certain directions, this ingenious structure draws that power to itself and to the city that surrounds it. Designers and decorators claim that they can feel the surrounding, universal energy called chi. But architects who incorporate the Eastern philosophy are not guided by intuition alone. The ancient art prescribes lengthy and complex rules that may strike modern homeowners as quirky. For example, your home should not be built at the end of a dead-end road. Round pillars are better than square. Ceilings should be high and well-lit. To further confuse the uninitiated, there are several different ways to practice feng shui: Use a compass or Lo-Pan to establish the most beneficial placement of roomsDraw on information from the Chinese horoscopeExamine the surrounding land forms, streets, streams and buildingsUse high-tech equipment to examine environmental health hazards, such as electromagnetic radiation and toxic materialsUse feng shui principles to help sell your houseUse some variation of a tool called the Ba-Gua -- an octagonal chart outlining the most favorable placement for roomsManipulate surrounding chi with appropriate colors or objects like a spherical sculpture Yet even the most baffling practices have a basis in common sense. For example, feng shui principles warn that a kitchen door should not face the stove. The reason? A person working at the stove may instinctively want to glance back at the door. This creates a feeling of unease, which can lead to accidents. Feng Shui and Architecture: Feng Shui teaches us how to create healthy harmonious environments, says Stanley Bartlett, who has used the centuries-old art to design homes and businesses. The ideas date back at least 3,000 years, yet a growing number of architects and decorators are integrating feng shui ideas with contemporary building design. For new construction, feng shui can be integrated into the design, but what about remodeling? The solution is the creative placement of objects, colors, and reflective materials. When the Trump International Hotel in New York City was remodeled in 1997, feng shui masters Pun-Yin and her father Tin-Sun installed a giant globe sculpture to divert the roundabout traffic energy from Columbus Circle away from the building. In fact, many architects and developers have enlisted the expertise of feng shui masters to add value to their properties. Everything in nature expresses its own energetic force, says Master Lam Kam Chuen. Recognizing this is essential to creating a living environment in which Yin and Yang are balanced. Despite the numerous complicated rules, feng shui adapts to many architectural styles. Indeed, the clean, uncluttered appearance may be your only clue that a home or office building was designed according to feng shui principles. Think of the shape of your house. If its square, a feng shui master may call it Earth, child of Fire and controller of Water. The shape itself expresses the supportive, secure, and stable quality of Earth, says Lam Kam Chuen. Warm tones of yellow and brown are ideal. Fire Shapes Master Lam Kam Chuen describes the famous triangular design of the Sydney Opera House in Australia as a Fire Shape. The irregular triangles of the Sydney Opera House lick the sky like flames, observes Maser Lam. Master Lam also calls St. Basils Cathedral in Moscow a Fire building, filled with an energy that could be as protective as your mother or as fierce as a mighty enemy. Another Fire structure is The Louvre Pyramid designed by Chinese-born architect I.M. Pei. It is a superb Fire structure, writes Master Lam, drawing down intense energy from the heavens—and making this site a prodigious attraction for visitors. It is perfectly balanced with the Water structure of the Louvre. Fire buildings are generally triangular in shape, like flames, while Water buildings are horizontal, like flowing water. Metal and Wood Shapes The architect shapes space with materials. Feng shui integrates and balances both shapes and materials. Round structures, like geodesic domes, have the energetic quality of Metal moving consistently and safely inward—the ideal design for shelters, according to Feng Shui Master Lam Kam Chuen. Rectangular buildings, like most skyscrapers, express growth, expansiveness, and power typical of Wood. Wood energy expands in all directions. In the vocabulary of feng shui, the word wood refers to the shape of the structure, not the building material. The tall, linear  Washington Monument may be described as a wood structure, with energy moving every which way.   Master Lam offers this assessment of the monument: Its spear-like power emanates in all direction, affecting the Capitol building of the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the White house. Like a mighty sword raised in the air, it is a constant, silent presence: those who live and work within its reach will often find themselves subject to internal disturbance and their ability to make decisions blocked. Earth Shapes and the Smudgers The American Southwest is an exciting juxtaposition of historic pueblo architecture and what many people consider tree-hugging modern ideas about ecology. A vibrant, local community of ecothinkers—people whose environmental thoughts direct their behaviors—have been associated with the area for decades. Frank Lloyd Wrights Experiment in Desert Living is perhaps the most famous example. It seems that this region has an unusual number of architects, builders, and designers committed to ecoversity—energy-efficient, earth-friendly, organic, sustainable design. What we call Southwest Desert Design today is known to combine futuristic thinking with a profound respect for ancient Native American concepts—not only building materials, like adobe, but also feng shui-like Native American activities such as smudging being incorporated into everyday life. Bottom Line on Feng Shui: So, if you are stuck in your career or have trouble in your love life, the root of your problems may be in the design of your home and the misguided energy that surrounds you. Professional feng shui design suggestions can only help, say practitioners of this ancient Chinese philosophy. One way to get your life in balance is to get your architecture in balance. Learn More: Feng Shui Handbook: How to Create a Healthier Living and Working Environment by Master Lam Kam Chuen, Holt, 1996The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton, 2006Understanding Architcture by Robert McCarter and Juhani Pallasmaa, Phaidon, 2012 Sources: Feng Shui Handbook by Master Lam Kam Chuen, Holt, 1996, pp. 70-71, 33-37, 79, 90; Meet Donald Trumps feng shui master by Sasha von Oldershausen, The Guardian, September 13, 2016 [accessed January 14, 2017]

A Brief Note On The Sub Saharan Africa - 1819 Words

Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa In today’s world it seems as if people and society care more about how people dress and how they look ignoring what’s around them. In reality, many countries are facing problems that seem to be out of their reach, and the countries simply cannot control nor fight the problem. One of many large global health issues is HIV/AIDs. Although the virus exists in many places all around the world, it is affecting and impacting poor, undeveloped countries the most, for example Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is facing this epidemic in which many of its people are suffering from the virus HIV/AIDS. There are many methods in which a person can get infected. HIV/AIDS is also affecting the countries, but most†¦show more content†¦The data available is limited for Sub-Saharan Africa, but it’s reported that contracting HIV/Aids is very high. Homosexual relationships are not the only cause to blame for HIV/Aids in Africa. Heterosexual sexual relationships are als o a big factor. According to the article â€Å"HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Overview†, 45 studies were done all across Sub-Saharan Africa. In which it was discovered that relationships among young women and older men are very common and linked with the practice of unprotected sex and very low condom use, which increases their risk of transmitting the disease (HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Overview |AVERT). Although unprotected sex is very common all around the world, in Sub-Saharan Africa the rate of unprotected sex is much higher due to the lack of money and prevention methods given to the people. Since many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa are facing problems with poverty, it is not uncommon for poor, new urban migrants to become involved in the sex industry just to be able to get money to survive (Pulsipher et al, 317). As stated in the book, World Regional Geography, many people turn to the sex industry (mostly women) to get money in order to survive economically and in order to provide for their family. Sex workers are on the rise, and many of them are