Paul Ricoeur’s Philosophy and Theology. Essay Example for Free

Paul Ricoeur’s Philosophy and Theology. Essay Paul Ricoeur was born to a devout Protestant family and grew up with his aunt since he was two years of age. Because his mother died and his father was killed during the World War I, he grew up as an orphan in a small remuneration afforded to him by the government as a war orphan. He was a bookish and an exceptional student during his time; his family’s influence brought him up with Protestant faith. He studied philosophy at Sourbonne and got influence from Gabriel Marcel. During World War I, he served the French army in 1939, became prisoner of war in Germany for five years. During his stay at the camp, he met other intellectuals like Mikel Dufrenne and read a lot about Karl Jaspers who was to have a great influence on him. After the war, he continued his studies and in 1950, he received his doctorate degree. He was given opportunity to work as the Chair of General Philosophy in his alma mater in 1956; from there he began his work as a prolific writer sharing his philosophy and theology. Throughout his life, he was known and respected as one of the most impressive philosophers of the 20th century. Every event in his life has contributed to what he believed in. His Christian belief was influenced by his family; his philosophical view was influences of people he met, he talk, and read. He is a well-known Christian philosopher yet, his writings were appreciated by both non-Christian and Christian. Paul’s Ricoeur’s Philosophy Ricoeur’s philosophical is central to the meaning of life and self. Recoeur’s philosophy is based on the two questions about the self. These questions answers are about the identity of the self and how should it live. Recoeur viewed self hood as inter-subjective capacity for agency and self self-ascription, and anybody can acquire. It means that self as an agency, and self-ascription. However, in his exploration of the issue, he discussed the philosophical thinking in five aspects namely: hermeneutic philosophy, post-Hegelian-Kantian methodology, narrative theory, philosophy of the self, and a moral-political philosophy. Hermeneutics is defined as a system through which a certain belief is interpreted using a specific theory and method for interpretation. Paul’s hermeneutics philosophy according to Paul Ricceur and Richard Keamey is of twofold source of reflection: the hermeneutics of testimony and the hermeneutics of the self. In their explanation, Paul had come up with a thesis, which concludes that testimony must give something to be interpreted as in history, and this testimony will be the object of interpretation. The hermeneutics of self on the other hand pertains to the role in which attestation has to play. David Kaplan in his article explained that hermeneutics for Ricoeur is interpretation of knowledge through its signs, symbols, and texts; it is interpretation of human works and actions. The Post-Hegelian Kantian philosophy on the other hand, is mediation for Ricoeur in such a way that it is combining two different views. Ricoeur accepted Kant’s claim that ideas of morality and history is understandable, and that it has universal validity because of its theoretical and practical reasons. Hegel on the other hand, viewed evil in the world as the â€Å"cunning of reason† as helpful for man in realizing a reality. Thus, post-Hegelian Kantian means that expectation is a hope for a humanity belonging to a history, which as a whole is a collective singular. This vision of history is the foundation of ethics and laws in Kant. This implies that Ricoeur acknowledges the concept of totality as long as its scope of reflection is limited to universal rationality (or history). He is actually recognizing that any differences could be regarded as related as in plurality of voices (or idea) yet, reasons behind could be recognized when philosophy tries to find it. Ricoeur’s thesis in Time and Narrative presents that human experience and narration exist. Through hermeneutics, one can easily interpret human experience because it has narration or plot. Narration theory therefore, is telling, writing, and understanding of fictional stories, as Kaplan explained. Narration or plot according to Wall, Schweiker and Hall is an integration of philosophy of action and philosophy of language into a synthesis. By means of this integration, a production of narration is come alive through voluntary and involuntary human actions, its symbolic language, and conflicts, which are to be interpreted through hermeneutics methods linking the time and history. The Philosophy of Self or Philosophy of subjectivity is an attempt anyone can do to elucidate the meaning of man’s existence. Ricceur and Kearney explicate Ricoeur’s hermeneutics of self into the sovereign self and the destructive self. The sovereign self according to them represents the idea in its meaning in the modern philosophy, which pervades modern culture and develops the self-image of people in the modern society. The deconstructive self on the other hand presents self as pure extensionless, consciousness, already established in being. Self therefore has the capability of combining knowledge, and it is vulnerable for it seeks certainty and security. At this point, will and reason are very important to human for they are the instruments for self-preservation and self-advancement. Signs and symbols and human experience are essential for man to interpret the meaning of their existence. Moral Philosophy for Ricoeur emphasizes that human being is capable of affirming the limits of one’s own moral perspective and embracing God’s critical transformative power. Being a Bible believer, he believed that everyone has moral responsibility, which accounts directly to moral value. Wall Schweiker and Hall noted that these moral values could be deeply explored from distinctive theological and hermeneutical perspective as what Ricoeur tried to point out. The issue of moral thought or moral responsibility in the study of Ricoeur’s philosophy offers important remedy to present ethical situations or problems. Moral ethics is an expression of human capability though fallible man yet has the ability to embody moral values through the power of God by simply being humble enough to acknowledge weaknesses. Paul Ricoeur’s Theology According to Julisn F. Woods, Paul Recoeur approaches theology by asking questions such as: â€Å"Where is freedom? Or does le coincide with the discovery and understanding of an inner necessity deeper than choice and kind of autonomy? In a word, does the highest degree of freedom consist in the surging up of an absolute power of choosing or in the love fate? † These questions prelude Ricoeur’s ethical approach and hermeneutical approach to theology. Recoeur consider theology and philosophy to be distinct in terms of their contents. He sees theology as hermeneutical, which provides cross-disciplinary, cross-traditional conversational quest for truth. Recoeur was particularly interested in Biblical exegeses and has written an essay in collaboration with other New Testament scholars. He adopted Boltmanian tradition engaging in historical criticism while also affirming the breadth of Biblical genres. In the essay entitled â€Å"Ethics and Considerations on the Golden Rule† Recoeur cited that Christian Ethics or communal ethics in religious perspectives, as he calls it, consist in the tension between unilateral love and bilateral justice, and in mutual interpretation of each of these in terms of the other. According to Mark Wallace, Recoeur’s religious thought that as one attempts to interpret the Bible, it actually begins with the risk of understanding biblical language including symbols and signs. Recoeur himself stated that interpretation of the Bible should be in accordance with testimonies of the witnesses particularly the Jewish community. He regarded that the Christian message is meaningful and is worthy of consideration, and that examining it will it self very fully. For Ricoeur, the God of the Bible cannot be theoretically proven as a staple of reason or as a fact alongside other facts in our empirical experience. He believes that Gods existence cannot be proven by any natural theology that necessitates thought or the knowledge of empirical objects. Wallace pointed out that Recoeur relies on signs, not on proofs in interpretation of the language. Recoeur believed that pertaining to scripture language it relies on the signs and traces of a reality testified to at the horizon of philosophical reflection that demands to be interpreted and understood. In the argument of language interpretations, Ricoeur balances it against the possibility of error in the testimony of the witnessing community and regard it a risk that would result in false testimony. Wallace noted that the risk must be taken because the stakes are so high. Therefore, Ricoeur believed in the truthfulness of the Bible being the ultimate source of God’s words. Interpretation of it should undergo hermeneutical approach based on history by knowing underlying concepts suggested in symbols, signs and text. For Ricoeur, the stakes is the possibility of Biblical language being a faithful trace of God’s presence in the Jewish and Christian communities. He believed that the knowledge of the absolute is never given in an absolute sense but only relative to the contingent and fallible signs that the divine life gives of itself in its generosity. Ricoeur agreed that religion deals with man’s ultimate concern and that the New Testament calls to be Christ like, is the counterpart of the mandated self of the Hebrew Bible.

Maslows Theory of Human Motivation Essay example -- essays research p

In order to understand the human condition, one must first understand what it is that motivates humans. It follows that we must then look to the motivator, the brain. The human brain works in such a way as to satisfy a series of needs. Abraham H. Maslow’s theory of human motivation (1954) explains the sequence by which humans move through levels of concentration so as to best satisfy these needs. Maslow’s pyramid (1954), a five-tiered structure, represents a summary of this theory. Maslow (1954) postulates that in order for one to focus his/her attention on the ultimate goal at the apex of the pyramid, self-actualization, one must first fulfill the needs at the subordinate levels. At the lowest level of the chart are the physiological needs, followed by the need for safety, the belongingness and love needs, the esteem needs, and finally culminating in self-actualization. This paper will demonstrate how various brain mechanisms work to satisfy each echelon of needs, and fu rther, how as all lesser needs are met, the individual may refocus his/her concentration to ascend the hierarchy towards self-actualization. According to Maslow’s pyramid, the basest of human needs are physiological, in particular homeostasis and appetite. These necessities must be met before human consciousness can progress to the next level of concentration. Maslow’s theory gains support upon examining the breakdown of how the brain functions. Carter (1998) explains that the lateral and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei are largely responsible for controlling when one feels hungry. While the lateral nucleus is responsible for detecting declining blood glucose levels, the ventromedial senses rising glucose levels. Thus, the lateral nucleus signals hunger while the ventromedial signals fullness. These nuclei are therefore responsible for making sure that the human body has the proper amount of fuel and nutrients. While these functions are not controlled by the conscious mind, in cases of extreme hunger the need to sate one’s appetite becomes the primary motivator in one’s actions (Maslow 1954). When a human being’s concern lies at this level of the pyramid, it can be said that (s)he is concerned with more primal matters, as opposed to the higher tiers when man’s state of mind is focused on “higher thou... ...ch was the case with Vladimir Nabakov who claimed that different sounds, such as letters, each evoked disparate hues (Carter 1998). Realizing personal potential in people like Vladimir may include creating works of art representing their unique experiences, while people not born with this condition will self-actualize in other ways, such as business. The underlying theme is that each person has a distinctly different ability to help him/her move upwards through the social class system. Utilizing the anterior cingulate cortex and focusing on one’s specific talents, is the way in which the civilized brain achieves self-actualization. As can be seen, human needs as dictated by the brain follow a distinct pecking order. Although human wants and desires are fulfilled in far more complex manners than a simple level-to-level ascension, Maslow’s pyramid provides a clearer understanding of the basic processes by which the human brain discerns what the conciousness should be most occupied with. Further, once the brain focuses on the object of desire, it may work in such as way as to satisfy that desire and thus ensure that the human being is prosperous and well-adjusted.

Introduction to Human Settlements

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Why people build environments? In order to understand built environments, one should know how the human mind works. The human mind imposes an order on the world. The world is chaotic and disorderly which; the human mind classifies, orders and onto it, imposes cognitive schemata. Settlements, buildings and landscapes are results of this activity. Hence, built environments including settlements are one way of ordering the world. INTRODUCTIONVancouver Declaration on Human Settlements (1976) defined human settlements as â€Å"the totality of the human community – whether city, town or village – with all the social, material, organizational, spiritual and cultural elements that sustain it. The fabric of human settlements consists of physical elements and services to which these elements provide the material support†. The physical components comprise, Shelter, i. e. the superstructures of different shapes, size, type and materi als erected by mankind for security, privacy and protection from the elements and for his singularity within a community; Infrastructure, i. . the complex networks designed to deliver to or remove from the shelter people, goods, energy or information; Services cover those required by a community for the fulfilment of its functions as a social body, such as education, health, culture, welfare, recreation and nutrition. All settlements essentially involve the making of places. Each place is a differentiated portion of the earth’s surface of previously undifferentiated space, a portion that is distinguishable from other such portions and has a specific meaning. What makes a place is always some schema, some ordering principle, which varies in different cultures.In most traditional cultures these schemata are related to the sacred. The purpose of place is to create a space that is habitable and usable in terms acceptable to the culture. All settlements are ordered and organized. Settlements not only impose an order on the larger domain but also are themselves organized. There is an ordering system both in the settlement, ceremonial centre or whatever and at the larger scale; there are systems within systems. All settlements are designed. Settlements are designed in the sense that they embody human decisions, choices and specific ways of doing things.Designed environments include places that are cleared and planted, areas where rivers have been diverted and fields that have been fenced in certain patterns. In fact many apparently commonplace activities have a greater impact on the earth than design in the traditional sense. The way cities, regions and countries look depends in the final analysis on the design activity of many individuals and groups at different times. ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Origin of settlements can be traced back to the caves where people gathered for protection against the natural forces or for defence against rival trib es.These places of communal living gave way to the village. The village was a by-product of the development of agriculture in areas where there was an adequate water supply and fertile soil. Many of these earliest villages arose adjacent to what are now the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers. In addition to the role of providing shelter to its people, the village was also an appropriate sanctuary for the altar of their Deity, a meeting place for assembly, and a centre for trade. As this environment became increasingly populated, urbanization resulted.Communities larger than the village came as a result of the growth of crops and the breeding of stock on a more permanent basis than before. The production of hard grains that could be stored for a longer period of time offered stability, since it assured insurance against starvation. The ability of these urban areas to preserve food made it possible to diversify into other activities. With a development of div ersified economy not totally dependent on food production, it became possible to attract people into a labour pool, thus providing employment in a variety of forms.This brought about the enlargement of villages or hamlets into towns and cities, which operated on different political and economic bases than had not been possible in the simpler forms. CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS The Influence of Geography Natural factors played an important part in the development and growth of settlements. The danger or fire and flood, extreme climatic conditions, the possibility of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, lack of natural resources or fertile soils – all influenced decisions either to settle in a given area or to move to a more favourable site.Moderate climates were always preferred to settle. Most of the settlements are located between the latitudes 60-degree North and 45-degree South. Although extreme temperatures are found within these boundaries, as the climate is favou rable for habitation for major parts of the year. Geographic studies indicate that settlements seldom form where the topography is steep. Some cities are located at high altitudes, but the slope of the land is relatively level. For example, Denver, Colorado and Mexico City are around 5000 feet above sea level but the terrain at these sites is relatively flat.Accessibility to other settlements also plays a role in the location and development of settlements. Political and Social Organization The village brought something new to the lives of primitive people: the need for mutual responsibility and cooperation. Various social and political organizations emerged as a direct result. People did not adjust easily to the self-discipline that community life required. Personal rivalry flared within the village and the most powerful individual assumed the role of tribal leader. Rivalry between villages often resulted in armed conflict.Several villages might come under the domination of the vic torious tribe with that tribe’s leader rising to the position of ruler. In time empires were created and rulers took the titles of king and emperor. What distinguishes the early city from the primitive village is its higher degree of political and social organization. The more sophisticated social structure allows people to live together in relative peace. Social, economic and political organization is essential to the growth and development of a city. As a result of the more advanced social structure, bold aesthetic changes took place.Temples and other structures of the ruling group became permanent. Tremendous amounts of energy were expended to produce great edifices, such as palaces and cathedrals, which became a source of pride to the public and the seat of power for its rulers. In the mean time, most of the people lived as slave labour in mud huts or worse where none of the basic amenities existed. Such situations still exist in many parts of the world today, where great numbers of people live in slums. Evolution of Physical Form Two basic forms of settlements are noticeable: the walled town and the open city.Within these basic forms a wide variety of patterns are woven. Each form and design is shaped by the character of the society at the time. Few cities that thrived with great cultures began with a plan. They developed by a process of accretion; the growth was irregular, responsive to the changes in the habits of people and dynamic in character. They began as free cities settled voluntarily. Their external form and the physical pattern were introduced according to the structure of the land itself or the manner in which the land was apportioned among the inhabitants.Cities have been subjected to the process of continuous remodelling through the ages and the variety of their forms is the result of the particular force or forces that were dominant during the successive periods of their history. In order to discern the characteristics of a civilizat ion, attention cannot be confined only to the rulers but also to the affairs of the people. More than the great and the impressive structures, common dwellings of the people mark the culture of the cities.

unity is strength - 981 Words

UNITY IS STRENGTH If united a smallest nation rises If discord a powerful country falls. Men were bound within the stone age then they came together and formed family again society community gradually country finally a long tale of the world where the terminology Unity stand as vivacious virtue of the human world. Man is a rational being of the universe. He doesn t have masculine claws as tiger, he can t run as fast as leopard nor he can produce food for himself though the united force of people have supported them to possess†¦show more content†¦Paradoxically, man is in the zenith of revolutionary chain and he is becoming the slave of the machine. Though science is boon to the mankind, it has also influenced for lonely life. Computer, television, mobile and many other devices are breaking the barrier of unity. Defer not till tomorrow to get united and to be wise Tomorrow sun may never rise. Every individual must carry the feeling of patriotism which will let the nation forward towards the ocean of unity. Especially these days youth are fascinated to live their life freely.In the name of freedom they ignore their parents, society and finally the entire world that may work havoc and devastation. Similarly we have problems of groupism in our society. The notorious and evil minded people form their own circle hatching the eggs of jingoism and wars. The entire world was fragmented and the agony of the atom bombs were destroying the world. The world wars 1 and 2 ,wars between India and Pakistan, the Anglo Nepal War was worsening the brotherhood between people. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were virtually in tears, Nepal (Aama) was consulting its people abandoning her own territory and even Iraq was in joy dropping sophisticated bombs starving its people to death. 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