Understanding the context of the bible

Understanding the context of the bible Understanding the context of the bible Introduction Although the bible is a superb story-book, full of exciting tales well told, But it is more than just a collection of stories. Tthere is one big story told by the whole collection of individual stories. The centre of it is God, and all what he did in this world and for human race.[1] The bible was written by people in order to be understood by people, but there are some hindrances that makes difficult for it to be understood in its original meaning,[2] this is a demands when you interpret it you must consider the importance of historical, geographical and cultural context for effective preaching? Because if you miss Gods meaning you are no longer had? Gods word because you have to know what it says, understands what it mean, for this reason it must be interpreted in order to get a meaning, because this creates a gap in our understanding the original meaning of scriptures. The only way to get everything right on it is to consider its historical, geographical and cultural context.[3] So in this essay we will look the land of the bible geographical constitute the arena in which God chose uniquely to speak and act?[4] Because Gods revelation touches specific times and places. Geographically account begins in the so-called Ancient Near East or the present-day Middle East.[5] This essay will explain the importance of understanding the geographical context of the bible for effective preaching, because the purpose of preaching is for people to get the meaning of the bible. It is very much important to understand the bible passage in its historical context looking to the authors views. And place of writing also the reason for writing who were the readers political economic social religious legal ethically all will help in understanding the meaning of the passage, particular purpose and occasion. Culture is what people believe what they say, what they do, wear, eat make or practice with different customs would that cultural practice have the same significance today if not is there a timeless principle that could be practised today but in a different way? Geographical it is very important to consider that the bible was written in a different land in this way it will be easy to interpret it correctly. In stressing the necessity of determining the original meaning of the bible, John Chrysostom, also called the Golden Mouth He maintained that the bible is the infallible word of God and his exegesis was both spiritual and practical.[6] The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are clear infallible revelation of Gods will and His salvation. The Bible is the Word of God, and alone is the standard which all teaching and experience must be tested (2Tim. 3:15, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 2Thess. 3:14; Heb. 4:12). 1. Historical meaning The historical context provides us with the author, date, original audience, purpose, theme, and other important information about historical or background setting of the book, Scripture is an authentic, reliable record of history and Gods acts in history. It provides the normative theological interpretation of those acts. The supernatural acts re ­vealed in Scripture are historically true. For example, chapters 1-11 of Genesis are a factual account of historical events. The Antioch exegetes pose historical questions. They say the word in a passage of scripture must be understood and interpreted historically, that is, in terms of their ordinary meaning.[7] According to Augustine in Alexandrian and Antioch and methods, this means that to him each biblical text has literal (that is, historical) and figurative (that, is Spiritual) meaning. The most important thing, in short, in hermeneutical skill depends upon (1) ones knowing the bibles use of language properly and precisely, as well as distinguishing and representing to oneself the historical circumstances of a biblical discourse; (2) ones being able to speak today of these matters in such a way as the changed times and circumstances of our fellow human demand.[8] 1.1Interpret the bible in view of historical It is important that each and every verse or passage of scripture to be interpreted in its historical, in historical setting we consider firstly the author Walter Kaiser, JR says Interpreters often can understand authors better than they understand themselves. The promise that this saying appears to hold is that there is a stratum of thought, an inner form of the work (Dilthey), which in the creative process bypassed the authors consciousness, but is now left for the interpreter to uncover.[9] But for Schleiermacher, his technical and psychological interpretation (Ernestis subtilitas explicandi) involved the additional step of personally assimilating the subject by determining or attempting to reconstruct the mental process of the author-an altogether impossible task. We notice three divisions of the bible as well as in the New Testament is that in each case there are a number of distant of development in the formation of the Scriptures. There is original historical event in which the revelation is attested to or spoken of, then a period oral tradition, a period of fragmentary accounts, and finally books and collections of books as we have them today. Thus the meaning of a text always goes beyond what its author intended, and the true sense is an unending process which is never exhausted or captured by an infinite line of interpreters! So, as we read the bible, we need to keep asking ourselves; what did the author intend to convey by this? What is he actually asserting? What will his original hearers have understood him to have meant? As we attempt to transport ourselves back into the authors mind and times, and to listen to his words as if we were among his first readers, we shall need particularly to consider the situation, the style and the language in which [10] 1.1.1 The date of writing If we are to understand the text it is important to know the times in which he wrote. On the other side to know something of the conditions in which these books were written is to better understand the text itself.[11] A list of significant biblical dates to provide a framework for the flow of biblical History, The Patriarchal Era (1800-1290), Exodus and the Period of the Judges (1290-1050), Early Israelite Monarchy (1050-750), Assyrian Dominance (750-640 BC), The Rise of Babylon and Exile (640-538), the Persian Period and Return (538-323), the Greek Wars/Maccabean Period (323-63), the Rise of Rome (63-3)Chart of the reigns of kings of the United Monarchy and the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah to the fall of Jerusalem (1050 586 BC), colours coded to show good and bad kings, as well as those deposed or assassinated.[12] 1.1.2 Place of writing Its context in scripture is the place where it is found. So each text must be understood both its historical and its scriptural background. Like the first testimony to the revelation of God was often given long before the written document this where Jacob called the place where God appear to him Bethel[13] Gen28:17) 1.1.3 Reason for writing Who wrote it and to whom? In what circumstances, for what reason it is the situation in which it was written. 1.1.4 Readers Although it was given to those who lived in an ancient Near Eastern/Mediterra ­nean context, the Bible transcends its cultural backgrounds to serve as Gods Word for all cultural, racial, and situational contexts in all ages.[14] 1.1.5 Political The bible gives relatively little direction on specific political and legal models. As a result Christianity is (or should be) politically non-partisan in the sense that no particular political system or philosophy can be truly defined as biblical or Christian. The bibles focus is on the ethical and spiritual relationships which inform the individuals of any given society.[15] Therefore individual Christians are free to choose and endorse political and legal systems (or parts of) which promote justice and good governance, so that people everywhere have their God-given dignity respected. As part of these two key political outcomes should be of special interest to Christians: First, (1 Tim 2) calls Christians to pray for (and support) government which allows people to hear the good news about Jesus Christ: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. Second, while love of neighbour is a universal command (Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37; Rom 13:8-10) the bible has particular concern for the needy and marginalized. Neglect of these groups is frequently a reason for Gods judgment upon the ancient nation of Israel. For instance the prophet Zechariah delivered this message of condemnation: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another [11] But they refused to listen [12] Therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 7:9 -12) 1.1.6 Social What are the various reconstructions of the specific context to which your text is addressed or in which it has been written? (The story behind the text) What alternate reconstructions have been suggested? E.g., the different theories about Pauls opponents in Galatians[16] or, the identification of large parts of Deuteronomy with the scroll found in the Temple as described in 2 Kings. (Note: Reconstructing a specific context is more difficult for the Pentateuch than for a prophetic book like Jeremiahor a letter of Paul where the specific situation is clearer.) 1.1.7 Religious Like circumcision of the Jewish nation (Gen 34:14-17, 22) and the term uncircumcised for the Gentiles Galm2:7-8; Col3:11. These are the historical religion of the bible that needs to be understood and interpreted in their context, so that the message of the bible will give a meaning to people.[17] 1.1.8 Legal An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:23-25)John 19:10-11Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Dont you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered; you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.The eye for an eye principle can be seen as a legal application of the golden rule (Matt 7:12): Do to others what you would have them do to you. Both principles assume that we humans are equal and should treat each other in an equal and fair manner. If we harm another fellow human we at the same time admit that according to the spirit of these principles that others (i.e. the state governed by law) can do the If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21).Same to us.For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full. Jer 51:56) 1.1.9 Ethical Many of the major problems in our time have to do with morals. In public life we have witnessed a breakdown of ethical standards. What is right? What is wrong? If the Bible gives an accurate description of Moses views, then by modern standards some of his commands might amount to calls for murder, war crimes or slavery. For instance, according to Numbers 31:15-18, he called for the massacre of boys and the enslavement of female children to Israelite veterans of the Midian war (kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the little girls among the women, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for you). It is important to note, however, that such ethical dilemmas can be cited without an adequate understanding of the historical context. In contrast, believers in the accuracy of the Bible can use assumptions to discourage exploration. But religions opponents can also discourage further exploration by making debatable assumptions about a text, classifying the intent of the text as immoral, and thereby dismissing the text as unreliable. In the above example some readers may infer an implied equality between slavery under Mosaic Law and slavery as understood in the New World. The political context of rights (individual v the state) doesnt appear to capture the bibles emphasis on responsibility. Despite these limitations, human rights have proven an extremely useful way to protect the dignity, freedom and equality of individuals. Equality is sometimes controversial but the bible underlines the inherent equality of all people in several ways: Every person is made in the image of God.[18] (Gen 1:27) All are sinners and equally in need of redemption (Rom 3:19-26, esp. there is no distinction) Hierarchies based on social rank, ethnic background and gender are counter to the gospel (Gal 3:28; James 2:1-10) In fact, God frequently favours people who are regarded as lesser in the eyes of people: But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) 2. Geographical The bible was written in a different land, it is impossible to understand the meaning of the bible without some knowledge of its geographical setting, and the story of the bible touches specific times and places. Geographically, the account begins in the so-called Ancient Near East or present-day Middle East. It includes the area known today as Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.[19] It is important to understand that the whole bible takes place in a rough rectangle of land five hundred miles from north to south and one thousand miles from east to west. Yet the very mention of geography especially bible geography, is enough to switch some people off. Some people who have no taste for geography if the bible gives a list o Kings of Israel and Judah in their chronological order. May ask rather impatiently why God did not reveal himself in a rather remote geographical context, so that we have to struggle to understand the context, so that we have to struggle before we can grasp the revelation?[20] God want to deal with us in our situation of time and place, as he dealt with the biblical characters in theirs. To understand his ways, we must understand this, we must know something of both where and when it all happened thats the importance of understanding and interpreting the bible in its geographical context, we must be able to visualise it. Consider the land of the bible including terrain, topography, weather, transportation, distance, cities, and agriculture, the land of the bible was highly with mountains, desert and seas, rivers, plains and coastline, Luke 10:30-37Jesus story of a good Samaritan this road made travellers to be vulnerable to robbers they could easily hide in the rocky place we see the valuable geographical context for the meaning of the story, preaching or giving the meaning of the passage it needs an understanding of the context in which the authors was writing on. Geographical context Consider the land of the bible including terrain, topography, weather, transportation, distance, cities, and agriculture, the land of the bible was highly with mountains, desert and seas, rivers, plains and coastline, Luke 10:30-37) Jesus story of a good Samaritan this road made travellers to be vulnerable to robbers they could easily hide in the rocky place we see the valuable geographical context for the meaning of the story, preaching or giving the meaning of the passage it needs an understanding of the context in which the authors was writing on. 3. Cultural settings It is very important that the bible to be interpretation including its cultural institutions and terms, and to make them into normative teaching on a par with any other in- junction of Scripture. Consider the culture in which author lived in order to understand what he meant. Culture is valuable only if the culture is in the passage. For instance Jesus conversation with the woman in the well is culturally significant because the bible says Jews had no dealings with Samaritans John 4:9) Contrast of ancient tribal cultures concern with community and communal ways of thinking with modern individualism, and its implications for understanding Scripture. A paper dealing with the Israelite appropriation of metaphors, symbols, and conceptual categories from the pool of ancient Middle Eastern culture, noting both the similarities and differences, and the implications both for understanding the OT, as well as for addressing the modern conflict of science and religion, to further complicate thi ngs, the original authors, while writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in their own personal style using illustrations relating to their particular culture and history. Distinguishing between Scripture that is cultural relative and that which is relative for all times can sometimes be very difficult.[21] Theres not enough space here to deal with it adequately, but generally, to find the timeless principles, look to the Bibles core message (those messages that stay consistent across many cultures), the inherently moral or immoral items, and the items that are expressly accepted or forbidden (those which the Scriptures merely acknowledge). Guidelines for determining whether a passage is culturally bound or applicable today: What was the purpose of the cultural practice or teaching? Would that cultural practice have the same significance today but in a different way? Assume every teaching or practice of scripture is applicable today unless-but Mark 2:18-21 every cultural practice and tradition must be measured against the teaching of Gods word. Culture is what people believe say do wear eat make practice and how they think or process information[22]. Since God revelation was given in particular cultural setting and the social customs which from the background of some biblical instruction are entirely foreign to those of our day. Are we then rejecting the teachings because are culturally dated? It is better to accept the biblical instruction itself as permanently binding, but to translate it into contemporary cultural terms. John Stott mentions one of the more difficult examples which caused a tension between the permanently valid and culturally dated concerns the status, behaviour and dress of women. More especially when Paul addresses the church in Corinth the veiling of women, head covering when prophesying, here Stott says we must find other social customs which express a womans acceptance of the authority which God has given to man.[23] Consider the culture in which the author lived in order to understand what he meant. Culture is valuable only if the culture is in the passage. For instance Jesus conversation with the woman in the well is culturally significant because the bible says Jews had no dealings with Samaritans John 4:9).Contrast of ancient tribal cultures concern with community and communal ways of thinking with modern individualism, and its implications for understanding Scripture. Conclusion This essay describes the bible as superb story-book, full of exciting tales well told. It shows it as more than just a collection of stories but what is centred one big story which told by the whole collection of individual stories. The centre of it is God, and all what he did in this world and for human race.Since God revelation was given in particular cultural setting and the social customs which from the background of some biblical instruction are entirely foreign to those of our day Bibliography Burden, J.J., E.E, Deist., Biblical Studies (Honours) Biblical exposition (South Africa: University of Pretoria, 1992) Kaiser. Walter Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology (Michigan: Baker book house, 1987) Stott, R.W John., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union, 1973) Schroeder, David., Learning to Know the Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967) Towns, R.L Elmer., Bible Answers for almost all your questions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2003) William, H.Green., General Introduction to the Old Testament (Michigan: Baker book House, 1980) Gorder, P.R., The Old Testament Present (Michigan: Radio Bible Class 1982) Kaiser, Otto., Introduction to the Old Testament (Great Britain: , 1973) Drane,John., Introduction the Old Testament (England: Lion Publishing, 1987) Dyer, Charles., Eugene, Merrill., Old Testament Survey (Nashville: Word Publishing,2001) Purkiser, W.T Exploing The Old Testament (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1940) John Macquarrie., James Childress., A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics(London:SCM,1993) Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropology (New York: Harper Row, Publishers,1987) [1] Alexandra,Pat,.David Alexandra .,Zondervan Handbook To The Bible(Michigan: Lion publishing,1999),p.18 [2] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies (Honours) Biblical Exposition,p.3 [3] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies(Honours) Biblical exposition ,p.4 [4] Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p.35 [5] Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p.37 [6] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies(Honours) Biblical exposition (South Africa: University of Pretoria,1992),p.4 [7] Burden., Deist., Biblical studies (Honours) Biblical exposition,p.3 [8] Walter,C.Kaiser Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology (Michigan: Baker book house,1987) ,p.27 [9] Kaiser Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology,p.35 [10] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible,p.225 [11] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967),p.84 [12] American Academy of Religion,1955 [13] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible,p.39 [15]John,Macquarrie., James Childress., A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics(London:SCM,1993),p.484 [16]William, Hendriksen., Galatians Ephesians(Edinbuburgh:The banner of truth,1999),P.22 [17] Elmer, R. L. Towns., Bible Answers for almost all your questions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, inc,2003),p.8 [18] Dyer, Charles., Eugene, Merrill., Old Testament Survey (Nashville: Word Publishing,2001) ,p.7 [19] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967),p.17 [20] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible,p.33 [21] Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropolog ( New York: Harper Row,Publishers,1987),P.46 [22] Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropology,P.47 [23] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p,229

The Toughest Decision of My Life Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

The Toughest Decision of My Life People are often asked the question, â€Å"If I could go back in time, what would I change?† But have you ever really thought about the answer to that question? What would you change or what would you keep the same? Accius, a character from Medea, said, â€Å"Change rules all things.† (II 118) I never realized how true this would be. When I look back in life, there are many things that I would change, but there is one decision that I am very thankful that I made. That was the decision to continue living with my grandparents and not to move in with my mother. It was a normal afternoon after school when I returned to my house after a busy day in sixth grade. My grandfather was busy preparing dinner in anticipation of my grandmother coming home from work. Soon my real mom came by to â€Å"have a serious discussion† about something. I had no idea that this â€Å"something† would be one of the hardest decisions I would ever have to make in my life. My real mom had just gotten a new apartment that had enough bedrooms that I could live there. It had never crossed my mind that moving in with her was the question with which she was going to confront me. Soon the topic came out when Mom said, â€Å"Sade, how would you like to come and live with me from now on?† This remark was the beginning of one of the hardest times in my life. I knew I had to make the right decision as Sophocles says, â€Å"Decide not rashly. The decision made, can never be recalled.† (Oedipus Rex 314) I was faced with the first choice of staying with my mother in her new home. Her home was in a location outside the limits of my school zone so I would have to start attending a different school... ...that I ever made. In the years that followed, my mom continued moving around and having off and on jobs. I would have never had a stable home and would be who knows where by now. I am now seventeen years old and don’t regret a single day spent in my grandparents’ house. They have cared for me like no one else could and I am very thankful for that. My mother and I have become closer than ever and we have a very happy relationship with each other. As Thomas Adams said, â€Å"What we obtain cheaply we esteem too lightly; it is dearness which gives everything its value.† (Sermons 14) Works Cited Adams, Thomas. Sermons. From the McMillan book of Quotes, Maxims, and Famous Phrases, 1948. Euripides, the Medea. Trans Philip Vellacott, London: Penguin Books, 1977. Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. Logan, Iowa: The Perfection Form Company. NDP.

Ethics Exam Essay

1)Give the complete definition Aristotle offers of eudaimonia? EUDAIMONIA MEANS HAPPINESS/ FLOURISHING DEFINED AS AN ACTIVITY OF THE SOUL IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMPLETE VIRTUE WITH ADEQUATE EXTERNAL GOODS IN A COMPLETE LIFE This involves one’s life as a whole and consists in action in accord with reason Eudaimonia is not achieved through pleasure, wealth, honor or even virtue on its own. What is an external good? Are external goods necessary or sufficient for happiness? While internal goods are more important, adequate external goods are necessary but not sufficient condition for eudaimonia. External goods from Aristotle’s view include good birth, sufficient wealth and friends. These external goods enable a person to practice complete virtue, because in many practices we use wealth (generosity), friends and political power (justice). Aristotle also includes good birth, good children and even outer beauty. Claiming that we cannot have the character of happiness if we look repulsive, we are childless, ill-born or live in solidarity. (Book one chapter 8) Is virtue necessary or sufficient for happiness? Happiness depends primarily on character and action in accordance with complete virtue, it is not something we can passively receive from other people or external circumstances and good fortune. it is Aristotle’s view that virtue is necessary but not sufficient for eudaimonia. Virtue alone cannot bring happiness because someone who suffers the worst evils and has no friends or external goods would not be considered happy by any means besides idealistic philosophy What is the most important aspect of happiness? Why? What kind of activities is Aristotle referring to? 3 different types of activity 1. Activity done for it’s own sake 2. Activity only done for the sake of an end 3. Activity both for it’s own sake and for the sake of an end Happiness is the highest goal because it is complete in it’s self, done for it’s own sake. 2) What is Aristole’s view of self love? When is it good and when is it bad? Why do people confuse this? P146 3) GIVE EXAMPLES of 3 virtues in aristoles, showing each is a mean in regard to feeling or actions (be specific) and say what the extremes of the excess and deficiency are. Courage the mean in regard to feelings of fear and confidence in threatening situations excess: arrogant, reckless, rash, lack fear when needed deficiency: fearful, cowardice, timid Generosity the mean in regard to the action of giving and taking resources excess: wasteful, irresponsible, impulsive deficiency: selfishness, stinginess, greedy Friendliness is the mean with regard to actions that cause pleasure and pain in others excess: people pleaser deficiency: quarrelsome 4) Why are the pursuits of pleasure and honor rejected as the good life?p4 and p19 1. The vulgar perceive happiness as pleasure, a life of gratification appears slavish like animal activities/grazing cows. 2. The political person perceives happiness as honor, insufficient because it can come and go and depends on those giving honor making it too external and superficial 5) Are virtue and vice voluntary? Can we change who we are? Explain aristotles view and your own Yes, virtue and vice are voluntary, both virtue and vice are in harmony with our desires and reason. vice develops after the character of someone becomes so that they preceive what is bad as good, this person according to aristole is still held responsible for their activity even though they can’t on their own change their character due to their perception. I think we can change with outside intervention. 6) What is the relationship between knowledge and virtue in Aristotle? Are the virtues of thought necessary or sufficient for moral virtue? What kind of wisdom matters here? p162 7) What are the three types of friendship? Why is the best one the best?p121 1. Loving the other due to utility 2. loving the other due to pleasure 3. loving the other for their own sake (complete friendship) only people of virtuous charcater can have complete friendship because it requires simular virtue between 2 people and ability to know and have confidence in the other persons character. It is the only friendship that continues past utlity and pleasure. 8) What are the three features self-love and friendship have in common? 1. Enjoy spending time together 2. Love the other for their own sake 3. share in pleasure and pains With self-love: Enjoy yourself, love yourself for your own sake, have intrinsic value within yourself, and share in your own pleasures and pains. 9) What is the difference between theoretical wisdom and practical wisdom, or prudence? How is each acquired? P90 Practical wisdom or prudence – a state of grasping the truth, concerned w/action, things that are good or bad for a human being prudence and virtue are necessary and sufficient for one another 10) What is the difference between continence and virtue? Is incontinence or vice easier to cure and why? p110   incontinence: to know (or maybe just believe) what is the good action and choose otherwise, your desire is different than your reason 11) Aristotle’s ethics depend upon no metaphysics or myths regarding the gods or the afterlife, yet he does make the assumption about human nature that equates goodness with happiness. What are these assumptions? Virginia Held What are Virginia Held’s claims are the 3 main masculine biases in history of ethics? Are they relevant today? 1. Dichotomy between reason and emotion Reason:rational:male as emotion:irrational :female Reason controls emotions 2. Split between public and private Mothering: natural and biological, women just reproduce life, driven by instinct, irrelevant to morality Man is human making history cultural, transcending his animal nature 3. Concept of self as individualistic rather the dependent and having particular relationships. How it effects today: â€Å"just add women mentality is not enough to fix how emotion and private life has been left out of ethics. New theories are needed that include emotions, nurturance of children and social relations beyond the scope of business. This requires reevaluating the importance of the home and children. Achtenburg What are the 2 necessary moments in feminism? Which do you think is important right now? 1. Claiming general human characteristics that have wrongly been called male (universal principles, dispassion, autonomy) 2. Elevating characteristics considered to be only female and devalued, (passion, particular relationships and community and connection, Feminist care ethics say embrace elevate gender dichotomy) I think it is important right now to elevate those â€Å"female† characteristics as valuable, for the private to be of value as equally as the public How does Aristotle provide a solution to the split between reason and emotion? 1. For a person with well-developed character emotions and reason are in harmony, not mere continence, emotions and reasons have the same aim. 2. Emotions are types of cognition, all types of pleasure and pain are from perceiving particulars that are good as good and that are bad as bad MacIntyre What is the tension between patriotism and liberal morality? Why does each view see the other as a moral danger? Patriotism is a kind of loyalty to a particular nation this conflicts with liberal moral theory because liberal morals uphold impartiality. Patriots see liberal morality as a threat to social bonds within a community and that it endangers the survival of such because it abandons all reason for defense. Liberal moralist think patriotism justifies war and can lead us into blindly following our government

Us Foreign Policy Essay - 902 Words

United States Foreign Policy has always been in a constant form of metamorphosis. Gradually, since the birth of the United States of America, the country has been slowly evolving it’s policies and relations with other countries. The United States began its history as a insignificant isolated nation. It slowly overtime would change to what the powerhouse that it is today: A Global Superpower. Just after the 13 Colonies began the break with Britain, the nations first government would come into existence under the Articles of Confederations. Through the Articles of Confederation a very minimal and practically useless Department of Foreign Affairs would be created. To quote John Jay in 1787: â€Å"They may make war, but are not empowered to raise†¦show more content†¦A strong belief during the first 50 years of the US existence was to remain completely neutral with all countries and not get involved in wars or conflicts. This idealism was known as Isolationism and practically every founding father shared this belief. Into the 19th century Isolationism was kept, but a policy of inaction was also in place. Inaction was the common theme of the members of the Department of State and those in charge with foreign affairs were grossly unqualified. This unqualification basically stopped all foreign affairs or poisoned the attitudes of other countries seeing as the men visi ting from the US could not make important decisions or speak respectfully to the representatives of the countries being visited. Soon after this time period, (1833-1836) the entire Department of State was reorganized yet another time. A few changes were made, but in general the same organization was kept. After the Civil War, the US was strong as it reunited the states into one nation. 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