Science, Philosophy, and the Human Condition
Science and Knowledge
Feyerabend proposes that science isn’t inherently superior to other forms of knowledge, rejecting the notion of science as purely rational.
The Rhetoric of Science
Some authors, influenced by hermeneutics, view science as rhetoric. Scientific theories are seen as effective metaphorical constructions that aid in understanding reality.
Comprehension Questions
Fundamental Differences in Worldviews
Question 24:
What is the fundamental difference between being in the Greek world and the Judeo-Christian world?
Question 25:
What distinguishes the biological concept of life from the sociological one?
Understanding the Mind
Question 26:
How is the mind interpreted from a dualistic perspective versus a materialistic monistic perspective?
a) Dualism: This view posits that the mind is more than just the brain, possessing an intangible, spiritual dimension that encompasses consciousness and potentially an eternal attribute. The mind, spirit, or soul is seen as the conscious entity manifested through the brain.
b) Materialistic Monism: This perspective asserts that we are solely physical beings, with our thoughts, emotions, and intentions arising from processes within the central nervous system and brain. Historically, this view denies the existence of a soul or any immaterial substance. Two main currents exist within this conception: one focusing on physics and chemistry as the sole basis of existence, and the other suggesting that all human activity stems from complex brain processes, where information is encoded in genetic material like a computer’s memory.
Theodicy
Question 27:
What is the meaning and origin of theodicy?
The term “theodicy,” meaning “justification of God,” was coined by Leibniz in his 1710 work Essais sur la Bonté Théodicée de Dieu, la liberté de l’homme et l’origine du mal. Initially aimed at reconciling the existence of evil with God’s goodness, the term broadened to encompass any rational justification of God. “Natural theology” is a more fitting term, reflecting the philosophical nature of the inquiry, distinct from revealed theology. However, “theodicy” remains commonly used interchangeably with “natural theology.” Both concern the knowledge of God through human reason, independent of revealed truths.
The Dilemma of God
Question 28:
What is the dilemma surrounding God’s actions regarding good and evil?
- If God is willing and able to prevent evil, why doesn’t he? This suggests that evil exists because God allows it.
- If God is willing but unable, then God is not all-powerful.
- If God is unwilling but able, then God is not benevolent.
- If God is unwilling and unable, then God is not God.