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Post by victorvargas on Mar 30, 2015 5:23:31 GMT
Q1: I believe people do not want to believe in the theory of evolution because they feel as the human race is far more valuable than to be compared to a primates as one is alleged to believe. The belief of being born of a supernatural entities seems to captivate humanities interest and to others logic into how the human race was brought about. Which I believe is noted for more prestige’s appeal on oneself rather than the actual reasoning towards looking at ones upbringing. As we view the animal species and believe we are the far more superior due to our conscience nature and it is much easier to not offend a person by just simply saying we are species created out of this world. Q2: I do not believe that evolution can provide an example for the attraction to colored eyes. How do these colored eyes serve a purpose for the human species? Non-brown eyes are considered a mutation and during Hitler’s reign the majority of Europe was killed if one did not attain Blue colored eyes. With an array of propaganda many people believe in this unnatural beauty of colored to light eyes. So if humanity was forced into looking a certain way how could evolution explain ones attraction to them. Q3: Growing up I was lead to believe I was blessed with such a “lucky” body. Growing up puberty had hit me in all the right places and upon comparison with other females of the same age I was the most appealing in figure. I grew up thinking “wow I am blessed” as most girls did not have what I do during my middle school and high school years. Yet I walk into biology class one day and know the sole purpose of such physique. It of course had to deal with genetics but what was such a down fall was that my only purpose for having such a figure was to be able to bare children and alert the male specimen I was able to. I kept thinking that I had much more to offer by the way I look but was shut down with biology. Your answer to question 2 got me very curious. I did research on eye color and the only thing I found that related to this was a vague article explaining that women, on average, prefer brown eyes because they seem more dominant than the more vibrant colored eyes. Of course there are always outliers and black sheep in every society but this is the only thing I found to make sense about the subject. A woman would prefer a dominant eye color like brown, as opposed to men who would prefer a less dominant color like brown. Here's the article : www.glamour.com/lipstick/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2010/06/study-suggests-women-may-be-mo
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Post by ashleynmay on Mar 30, 2015 5:27:37 GMT
Week #4 Film Test: 22-2 Question #1: I believe that a large number of people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection because it goes against most if not all of what they were taught to believe growing up. Growing up around religious family members, I was always told that “God” created the world and everything we see as opposed to it all coming together through evolution. I am very comfortable with accepting Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. The main reason for this is because it is more concrete than believing in some metaphysical force such as “God.” I have always been one to respect and consider all possibilities about how our world came to be the way it is today. I have went through many phases and many beliefs, one being that “God” brought the world to be the way it now is. Over the years, I have began to lean more towards Darwin’s theory specifically because it provides evidence that you cannot necessarily deny when evaluated step by step. Question #2: It seems as though almost any and everything can be explained through evolution. After thinking long and hard about something that cannot be explained through evolution, I came up with this: why do some individuals have no desire to procreate if it is in fact a biological and evolutionary desire instilled within us all? Through evolution, Homo Sapiens are biologically wired to bare children in order to further their genetic line. Because the desire to have children is wired within us all, why are there so many individuals who are completely opposed to having children? Why does this specific desire not present itself within everyone? Question #3: Through eliminative materialism, we are able to look at things and solve them in a more rational manner. There are several examples of eliminative materialism that can be sound. The first is bloodletting. In the 1800s, bloodletting was believed to be a way to rid the body of harmful fluids, humors, that could ultimately cause the individual to become ill. For example, a person believed to have an excess amount of black bile in their body was cut or “bled” to prevent illnesses such as depression. Over the years, this practice has become banned as scientific evidence has been able to come up with a more rational treatment for such illnesses. The second example of eliminative materialism can be observed by looking back at the cruel history of mental illnesses. In the 18th century, mental illnesses were seen as something demonic. Because they were not well known about, persons suffering from mental illnesses were seen as possessed and were treated in a tremendously cruel manner. It was not until much later that mental illnesses began to become more known about, which allowed them to be treated properly. The third example of eliminative materialism is the Greek/Roman gods and goddesses. The Greeks and Romans believed in metaphysical figures such as Poseidon/Neptune and Zeus/Thor. They believed that these deities controlled natural elements such as the sea and thunder. As time progressed, however, science stepped in and was able to provide evidence that contradicted the existence of the gods and goddesses that so many believed to be true for so long. sites.google.com/site/psychepathways/
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Post by tdheyen on Mar 30, 2015 19:25:11 GMT
Taylor Andruska 22-2 Question 1: I think the main reason that people do not believe in Darwins Theory of evolution is that it goes up against the traditional views of most major religions. Another reason is that people do not want to believe that they came from a common ancestor of monkeys. The theory of evolution doesn't really bother me because it is a theory and there are many theories in the world about many different things. I am a Christian. Growing up I was always told that evolution was wrong, bad, stupid, idiotic, etc. But as I have gotten older I have been more open to hearing and listening to many different ideas and theories. I knew that at some point evolution was going to be a theory that I would have to really listen to and try to get a better understanding of. And in my research and through learning in lecture and from other outside resources I thought, why can't evolution and christianity co-exist with one another. Most would disagree that religion and evolution could both exist. I however think that in a way religion and evolution could co-exist. Question 2: In class we discussed that evolution can explain everything. I agree that evolution can explain lots and lots of stuff, but not everything. Like how would evolution explain human morals? We can all agree that murder, stealing, and rape are wrong, but where does evolution come in and explain that. Where along the line of human evolution did we get these moral attitudes that there are bad things that we shouldn't do. How does evolution explain guilt? These are just a few things that I am curious about. In lecture we discussed that evolution basically has to do with us procreating. But sexual things aside, where and how does evolution explain moral issues. Question 3: One example of eliminative materialism could be something like government conspiracies. The government could have a story put out about a certain event. But when people do the research they find out that the official story that was put out may not have been exactly what happened. A second example is things that are often considered supernatural. I used to watch a show called ghost hunters. In the show these two guys would go to people's houses that claimed they were having some sort of paranormal activity. Often what people thought was something paranormal usually just ended up being something wrong with the electricity or something with the house. A third example of eliminative materialism are these feelings we get like love, lust and anger. We think that these are our feelings and that we have a choice in them, but really it is our body reacting to certain situations. It is science doing what it does best on the inside of our bodies. sites.google.com/a/student.mtsac.edu/worldwideweird/home
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Post by barryallen on Mar 30, 2015 19:32:50 GMT
Christian Allen; 22-2 Test 4: Question 1: I choose to deny a complete acceptance of Darwinism. I can concede that evolution can explain possibly all of society and every life form in existence on Earth, but I would rather think of myself special and with a purpose greater than that evolution offers. I don't need to feel or profess to be the center of the universe, but being unlilke any other and being "fearfully and wonderfully made" are two ideals that give me a purpose to live. To be just good enough, and only have a purpose to make a copy of my book and pass on my genetic code is kind of deflating is it not? Not having a possible existence after death and this life being so finite is something I'd rather be ignorant of. Am I crazy? Sure! I think being crazy and happy is better than being sane and depressed or lost. Question 2: The purpose of technology is to make processes more efficient. To make things better than just good enough. But this contradicts how nature operates. Nature allows enough to sustain and when things thrive, they only do so for a set amount of time, and nature returns the system to its norm. But with the aid of technology, homo-sapiens have started on a path to over-populate the Earth. Through vaccines, food, and fresh water availability resources are quickly diminishing and pollution is terraforming the planet. I think technology is a system that evolution cannot account for. Natural disasters and super bacteria and viruses may be the only things nature could use to return the system to its norm. Question 3: I have a great imagination and that is probably why I enjoy reading as much as I do. I can imagine almost any scene depicted by an author and find myself lost and encompassed by the new world I read about. But sometimes my imagination without the aid of other's will convince me of a scenario so well that when the truth is revealed, it has a deep emotional impact on me that is hard to shrug off. One reoccurring belief I have is thinking a female is interested in me. It usually begins with eye contact or me being aware that she is sneaking glimpses/looks at me when she thinks I'm not paying attention, but I am. Then once I approach her it can progress to good conversations and interest in each other. Including laughs and smiles that reach her eyes and nervous gestures like playing with her hair. But then I lead into a question to find out her "availability" and recently she has either had a boyfriend or is engaged or is married and isn't wearing her ring... Regardless of how she's "taken," my expectations and imagination of what could happen is shattered because I am not pursuing a woman that has allowed a man to make a claim on her romantically. Probably the most elaborate way my mind has had a rude awakening is before my family and I moved to California. I pictured the state as all beach front property with the sun always shining and the air smelling fresh like the ocean. What I found in Armona, CA were farms as far as the eye could see, overcast skies and the scent of cows and fecal material in abundance. I didn't picture fog so thick you can't see past 10 feet ahead of you and a valley surrounded by mountains with no beach for hundreds of miles or the terrible traffic patterns of northern and southern California. I had been in "bad traffic but nothing in comparison to either of these areas. Finally, my mind too frequently imagines my grandmother is still alive and I will spend the coming day with her, watching tv, eating, grocery shopping, but just spending time with her. Then I remember that she is not conscious in this world anymore. It probably impacts me the most because I was very close to her emotionally, but it drives my actions to be a better son and brother and act as though I may never see each person again. sites.google.com/site/barryallenphil5/
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Post by mirv42 on Mar 30, 2015 21:00:19 GMT
Mirvat Mohamed: Week 4 Film Questions Code: 22-2 1. I believe the main reason the theory of evolution frightens people is because it presents the idea that we did not come from a higher power and our existence is simply based on science and chance. This idea goes against almost all religions and that alone is frightening for some. Believing that we were created by a higher power provides comfort in that we came from something beyond our understanding, not something that science can necessarily prove. The thing that bothers me about the theory of evolution is that if we, as humans, really did evolve from apes, then it must’ve taken millions of years for our appearance to change. Today, we see apes, but there must have been other species in between that still look like apes but more human as well. We don’t see an “in between” species and that makes me feel a little uncomfortable. 2. One thing I don’t think evolution can explain is the overall formation of the universe. In order to use evolution to explain it, we need to start with a material that things evolved from, and that’s not quite possible. 3. a)In the ancient Chinese culture, they used to believe that a comet seen in the night sky meant horrible evil and sickness among the entire land. They believed that it was some kind of demonic entity flying above them. A comet is simply an ice covered asteroid that came from the oort cloud in our galaxy. b) Ancient civilizations like the Mayans believed that a solar eclipse meant that the sun god was angry with them and they needed to make sacrifices until the light returned. Science explains that a solar eclipse simply happens because the moon casts a shadow on Earth. c) About 12 years ago, my grandma passed away and I was in Egypt at the time to attend the funeral. I remember returning after the funeral and I walked into her room and just sat there thinking about her and I suddenly heard a phone ringing from the closet so I got up to check what it was and she had put a house phone in the closet before she passed away, but it was ringing and it was not connected to any wall jack or anything. I think it was a sign from her somehow, or it could have simply been that it was all a figment of my imagination. Either way, it still gives m chills just thinking about it. sites.google.com/site/week4filmquestionsmirvat/
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Post by jaelku on Apr 6, 2015 2:31:02 GMT
1. Many people refuse to believe the theory of natural selection, or evolution, because they feel that the human intellect if above those of animals. Others because they believe that a divine creator shaped and brought them to life. Personally, I find no comfort or discomfort in the theory, rather I believe that the Theory of Natural Selection is possible, though I also find it possible that the THeory of Natural Selection is not in fact the reason humans exist. This theory, in order to gain the title of a theory, has gone through the scrutiny of many scientists and specialists, and has been deemed to be a possible, and in fact the most logical explanation for human existence, and I agree with this consensus. However although this theory is in fact possible, and does have a logical process, it is also likely that this theory did not in fact result in human existence, as the circumstances that are required for the occurrence of humans to result from natural selection are so slim, and have not been proven to exist in the past. Natural Selection requires a species or organism to be sexually selective-that only those organisms that are capable of reproducing will continue to live, and those that can not reproduce will die out. Species selection or competition is also a factor, that those with the traits that allow them best to survive in their current environments are more likely to reproduce and survive than those that can not survive well in their current conditions. There is also the matter of mutation, that at times genetics will, completely at random, mutate to create new traits that a species may not have previous had. This new trait may or may not be sexually favorable-that is, reproducible-and may or may not be competitively favorable. These are all facts that people generally agree upon. Therefore in order for the human species to develop from a simpler species, a few things must have occurred. First, the traits that humans have, which differentiate us from our suspected ancestors must have either existed already somewherein their genetic pool (in which case humans would not be a different species and only a more developed species), or must have occurred completely due to random mutation and been capable of being reproduced throughout generations. These traits must also have been beneficial to the population as a whole. For the sake of the argument that humans and say, apes have both developed through an extended line of mutation and natural selection, they would have had to: 1. Have two distinct mutations occur in a species that separates them into three distinct groups (the original species, mutation A, and mutation B). These mutations would theoretically create the traits that humans and apes have, separately. 2. These mutations would have to be either rather significant mutations that continued to grow, expand, and develop throughout generations. This chain of mutations would also then have to be sexually selective with the original species and within itself (for future generations of organisms with these mutations), but not with the other mutation. 3. This individual with the mutation and his or her offspring must then also be capable of growing his or her gene pool to be large enough to survive if the rest of the population where to die off. This must mean that their genes are competitively beneficial. Both new groups (A and B) must be more capable of surviving in their conditions than the original species was. In fact, they must BOTH be beneficial enough not only to grow their population incredibly quickly, but to survive some huge environmental change that makes the original species die out. Though it sounds like a simple and logical process, it in fact has quite a few problems in that the mutations that occurred that resulted in both humans and apes would have had to both have happened to be beneficial to the population as a whole. Traits like consciousness, capability to develop writing, and much more would have just happened to develop through a chain of mutation. This seems as unlikely-though not impossible by any means-as the modern human population suddenly and randomly developing the mutation of being entirely resistant to cancers, viruses, and worsening vision-that is they must be a chain of beneficial mutations, which seems unlikely. These mutations would also be something unseen or unheard of at the time-an organism suddenly developing consciousness, or an organism who was capable of daydreaming and planning far into the future and who creates complex systems and tools. Yet this new and odd species would somehow be found sexually favorable by the original species, which again is possible, as dogs and wolves do at times interbreed, but it also seems very unlikely that this mixed gene pool would be able to result in an offspring. Then it seems even more unlikely that that mixed genetic offspring would then be capable of reproducing, as mules and ligers, though created from animals of the same type or family, are in fact a species incapable of reproduction. So not only would this random mutation be something that the original species found favorable enough to breed with-why would a dog choose a wolf if it would choose another dog?-but the resulting offspring must then also happen to be capable of reproduction, which again, seems unlikely. Finally, these mutations which must be completely randomly very beneficial-for both new species-and which is deemed sexually favorable, and is capable of producing offspring that are in fact capable of reproduction (although most genetically interbred species are not), must then face some circumstance that allows BOTH new species (that will once day develop into humans and apes) to survive in the same areas and spaces-while the presumed original species dies out. There must be some environmental change that then allows both species to grow and continue to mutate and change into more and more different species in the same ecosystem, yet which kills off the species that both these new species derived from. These occurrences are all possible, and do follow some logical path. However, they are very, very unlikely, and the possibility that there is another reason for human existence is still relevant.
2. When asked this question within a classroom setting, one student challenged our professor with the idea of religion and consciousness. Why have we as humans developed this trait or capability of consciousness, while other animals did not? My teacher responded with the idea that if humans did not at first have consciousness, and one human developed the mutation that gave him or her consciousness, who would be more capable of surviving and passing on his or her offspring? Because humans are themselves physically less capable than most animals, weaker, less adapted to nature, less sensitive to our surroundings, he argued that the mutation of having consciousness was the human species only way to survive, allowing us to want to live for a better purpose, and therefore driving us to advance our creativity to create, develop, or control and utilize things to aid our survival, like homes, the wheel, and fire. This makes logical sense-except for the fact that all animals instinctively have a need for survival. A rabbit will run from prey, a lion will hunt, and a dog will follow the person that feeds them. Why would we as humans be the only ones who need not only instinctive and biological survival, but also find within ourselves a need for more. Not only do we as a species find a need to do better, be better, and to never be satisfied with what we have on this earth, but we are also the only species to find a space within ourselves empty without something to believe in to drive us-we can live in the past, the present, or keep our mind on the future, whereas other animals live only in the present, on surviving. Some might argue that this developed because we as a species in fact lacked something that other species had to aid their survival. But if we as a human species did in fact develop from a simpler species that animals like apes and monkeys also developed from (as evolution points to being the case), why is it that we lost that capability to survive in the now, while they kept it? Humans are capable of survival simply with wanting a comfortable and better life and creativity (this would urge them to build homes and create many technologies), why then did we develop a need or want for "right or wrong," religion, and greed? Humans are the only species capable of destroying their own environment to take more than they need, throwing away things they don't need to be wasted, and leaving others within their species to starve while they waste their resources. Where did that come from, and how can it be beneficial to our species as a whole? These are the questions and human traits that have yet to be explained by evolution.
3. The idea of eliminative materialism occurs when material science or the science of matter replaces or eliminates the ideas generated by human common sense. For example, common sense generally allowed the human population to believe that the world was more or less flat. However with the advancement of science we realized that the world was in fact round. Another example would include the idea I had growing up that people could not get sunburns on cloudy days, because the sun was not out. However as we got older, we realized that the UV rays that cause sunburns could in fact penetrate the clouds, and that sunburns could still occur. Growing up I had also assumed that alcohol, a liquid like water, would put fire out just as water did. however I found my childish common sense approach to this concept wrong as i got older and the physical science behind alcohol explained the reason behind flaming mojitos and gel fuel.
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joshm
New Member
My site https://sites.google.com/site/joshmontesphil/
Posts: 4
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Post by joshm on Apr 6, 2015 7:06:22 GMT
Joshua Montes Philosophy Test 4 1. People resist the theory of evolution because of the implications. Evolution can directly conflict with a lot of religions and ideologies. Darwin's theory does make me feel uncomfortable because of the implication of randomness. Evolution argues that our human conditions have no supernatural or ultimate meaning but rather that each person alive is a result of competition and selfishness. Our ancestors were cutthroat, stronger, faster, smarter than their competitors. The reality is that every person today is the descendant of the biggest asshole around at the time and every bloodline today result from the snuffing out of other bloodlines and genetic codes.
2. Free will. Evolution implies that we evolved to think of evolution. Only due to our abilities of introspection and simulative reasoning are we able to come up with evolution. It does not sit well with me to think that every chemical process, every electrical signal, and every action potential is the result of evolution. I would venture to reason that we have evolved in such a way that the idea of evolution is something that we are capable of conceiving. I would also venture to say that the theory of evolution implies that we all have a predisposition towards certain thoughts according to our genetic code. Anger, sadness, disgust, are all emotions that can affect our everyday thought. We evolved to have these emotions because they were evolutionary benefits to our well-being. Some people have a tendency towards some of these emotions, some don't. Some people are more prone to episodes of depressions, bouts of anger, or in the case of disgust, an overwhelming and even crippling sense of the amount of bacteria that we deal with in the everyday, such people are usually called germaphobes. If some people have a tendency towards these emotions, which when broken down, are simple imbalances of chemicals or deficiencies in brain activity. Then would it be unfair to assume that some people could have such inhibitions when it came to other things? Belief in the supernatural? Sexuality? Morality? Beauty? Evolution seems to explain all of things away as chance. Certain combinations of genetic code and environmental triggers are the cause of such things. If that that is the case, then there is no free will, or at least so it seems.
3. Example 1: Sexual Strategies in humans: As we discussed in class, there are many ways to explain why men are usually more promiscuous while woman are more conservative in their choices of mates. We can explain it through sociology, psychology, and so on. But the reality is that it can all be explained through simple numbers. 1 egg, millions of sperm. The ability to reproduce many partners at almost anytime vs the ability to reproduce with 1 partner every 9 months. Example 2: The Bermuda Triangle: People used to say that the Bermuda triangle was a gateway was a gateway to hell, that so many people got lost within its boundaries due to some sort of supernatural presence. Then people hypothesized naturalistic explanations. Electromagnetism, the presence of methane bubbles, and violent weather. The reality is however, that the Bermuda Triangle is the victim of math. The truth of the matter is that if you were to draw a triangle equal in scope on any other body of water, you would find that the Bermuda Triangle is actually is not actually an outlier. The truth is that accidents happens and the Bermuda Triangle has simply received a lot of publicity over the years that caused the numbers of accidents to occur within it to be much larger than they truly are. Accidents happen, planes and boats get lost. The Bermuda Triangle is not abnormal in this regard. Example 3: The Lochness Monster: Supernatural monster living within a lake? Probably not, it has been proven that the Lochness Monster is truly just a hoax that the people surrounding the lake have used to increase the amount of tourist traffic in their area. Unfortunately Nessy does not exist but sociology shows that there are great benefits for the people that live around the lake to claim that he does.
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Post by amoreno on Apr 6, 2015 18:42:31 GMT
Question 1: I believe a large number of people are resistant to Darwin's Theory because they think it is a position of "anti-religion" Many people are are not taught the Darwin's theory a believe that Darwin says we come from monkeys. I am comfortable with Darwin's theory because i know it all breaks down to preservation of a species. Even Christians can agree that the bible says to be fruitful and multiply.
Question 2: After analyzing many things from an evolutionary standpoint It's hard to think of something that cannot be explained by evolution or biology. I guess one thing I couldn't explain with evolution is out desire to make abstract art. I can see our desire to make realistic art and historical art in order to preserve our history and pass it along with our children and generations to come. However from an Evolutionary standpoint it seems useless to make abstract art for that same reason. On the contrary I suppose that it could be said that we push our brains to think in different ways. Pushing our brains can definitely back the evolutionary perspective once again.
Question 3: An example of eliminative materialism is basically when a concept is believed to be true like monsters under the bed for a kid. A child fully believes that there are realmonsters in the bed or the closet. When a parent comes in to show that there is nothing to be afraid of and that shadows a can look scary like monsters and that monsters aren't real the child learns that monsters aren't real. For me one example that really effected me was having sleep paralysis. I would wake up without being able move and would hear or see things which seems demon-like and scared me half to death. I was almost certain that I was being possessed. Upon investigating and researching that is was sleep paralysis I realized that it was just the chemicals in my body making me paralyzed and that being half awake "dreaming with my eyes open" could be the result of hearing or seeing things. There are still people who believe that world is flat. I find that to be insane with the amount of evidence there is to prove otherwise. If they see and believe that the world is round that would be another example of eliinative materialism.
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Post by pkmntrainermanny on Apr 6, 2015 20:50:37 GMT
1. people don't like or accept the theory of evolution mainly because of how grim it seems at first, it gets worry some and presents people with strange questions and issues that they may not want to face such as the weak are left behind and the strong or most potent get to live on. the answers it presents seem too cold and calculating. Darwin's theory is actually rather well, natural. in natures own way it is always getting better like an I-phone or a car it changes slightly or radically based on the things it needs to change with. I find it fascinating because indeed the world around us believes in the theory but out right rejects the idea at the same time. people who may not like the theory of evolution would gladly throw away their old I-phone for the latest and most improved model people enjoy the benefits of evolution without actually realizing it. I enjoy hearing about the theory because it means that we as a society and a species are constantly going to change and improve.
2. I know there are a lot of things that can be explained through evolution theory but, for some reason I have a hard time trying to explain self destruction or the act of harming one's self for any reason other than escaping a prison or other means of containment.
3. eliminative materialism takes a subject and studies it until it comes to another result that further explains or expands knowledge of a subject. there was a point in my life when I assumed the monsters in the night were real my parents said these things to keep me In bed but eventually it turned out to not really exist and now I fear the night for different reasons , mostly due to falling down stairs after coming out of the shower incase of a misplaced step.
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Post by Alex Max on Apr 7, 2015 20:02:07 GMT
Film Test #4
#1 I think a number of people resist ideas of natural selection or science in general due to religious beliefs/faith. People like to hold onto their hope and faith that there is a greater being here to protect us. I think that people also resist natural selection because they are afraid to have a defined beginning and end to our lives. People resist because they hope there is ore to this life and that there is life after death. People use religion as a type of defense mechanism for what they don't fully understand or do not believe in.
#2 This is a tough question for me but I feel like most religions cannot be explained by evolution. The diversity of religions and how they came to be in this world does not seem like it could really be explained by evolution. I could see them being connected to a group of people who have evolved over time, but not solely on its own. I also feel like our minds, the complexity of them, cannot be explained by evolution very well. How did we, our minds evolve over time, what triggered the change?
#3 One example of eliminative materialism is when people use to believe that such weather phenomenons, like lighting or other storms, were because of the wrath of the gods. Once we questioned and evaluated these phenomenons and eliminated the mystery behind them, we discovered what we call weather. I know that there are still people to this day that do not believe in treating illnesses and that if a person is meant to be restored to health, that God will do so. This leads to my second example which is how illnesses today can be explained and treated by science, where illnesses use to be thought to be brought on by demons and evil creatures. Eliminative materialism is when you believe in something until it is proven differently, such as when a child believes in Santa Clause, they believe in him until he is dis-proven by either someone telling them he does not really exist or if they happen to catch their parents putting the gifts out in the middle of the night.
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Post by alectaylorr on Apr 14, 2015 10:19:37 GMT
22-2 Alec Taylor Film Exam Questions: (Week 4) (1) Why do you think a large number of people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection? What is it about Darwin's theory that makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Be sure to elaborate on your reaction (pro or con). I think most people reject the theory of evolution because it tells us we all came from objects we do not see fit to be our ancestors. I feel that people put themselves on a high horse and would like to believe they came from something much more exquisite and rare. The comfortability I have with this idea is pretty high, considering the facts and philosophy about this idea, rather than the popular notion we were just put here by a higher being with no explanation. (2) What do you think cannot be explained by evolution? What cannot be explained by evolution is the religious views of Christianity and anything to do with a higher interstellar being, since it disregards the idea of us being related to anything other than humans (and angels). (3) Provide three examples of eliminative materialism and how it works. You can draw from your own life. A few examples of eliminative materialism is the belief that we have souls, however never scientifically proven but believed because we think there is a location only celestial beings can attend. Also the idea of psychic abilities since it is not proven in scientific ways. Lastly, the idea of believing in heaven can be thrown out since there is no physical proof that there is a place after death. sites.google.com/site/ataylor4130/
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Post by Kengwei Liu on Apr 18, 2015 1:29:01 GMT
Week 4
22-2
1. Due to the religion that a large number of people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection. Those religious people believe god creates us not the natural selection of evolution. Moreover, this believe has been taught or in people’s mind for over thousands years. Therefore, a large of number of religious people do not believe Darwin’s idea and against him. I am comfortable with his idea, because I think the way of surviving is to be stronger than others, and this idea is exactly what the evolution by natural selection told.
2. However, there are still lots of things that cannot be explained by evolution. The reason for this might be we still have lots of unknown thing. There are still too many thing haven’t been proved or explained. The thing such as is egg come first or the chicken come first, or where is the first species come from. We still have a long way to explore our universe.
3. There are lots of thing that we used to believed were actually wrong. Like when I was young, my mom used to tell me that if I did not behave well. Witches will come to get you and punished you. Also, like pointing the moon and your right ear will be cut. There are lots of thing were being passed by older for teaching the kids.
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Post by mountianman on Apr 20, 2015 22:07:34 GMT
1. Why do you think a large number of people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection? What is it about Darwin's theory that makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Be sure to elaborate on your reaction (pro or con).
I believe people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection because we believe that we were made from a greater spiritual being with a great design beyond our comprehension. We believe this because we know our lives one day will come to an end here in this universe and hope that when the do we will ascend to a greater plain of existence with our creator/god. That is explained because thought that it all just ends when we die and there is nothing else we become or go after we die is just flat out depressing. Were as in evolution it makes our belief of a greater being non-existent because it states that there was no design. Which is why Darwin's theory is so unsettling and makes us feel uncomfortable because it basically says "Sorry this is it and when it's over there is nothing more" Being human/creatures we want to survive so believing in Darwinism goes against our nature of wanting to survive and continue on for forever.
To sum it all up from an evolutionary point of view; to believe in evolution is to go against how we have evolved as humans in that we have evolved to believe in a greater spiritual being because it gives us a reason to live on and work towards immortality but if we were to believe in evolution then what purpose would there be to life if there was no way to live on past death which in turn would basically be a devolution. basically (evolved > to believe in afterlife > live longer) and (devolve> believe evolution> no after life > no reason to live on) and the more you think about evolution and how it might be real the more depressing it becomes proving that the belief of evolution could be a step down and the belief of a greater spiritual being could just be an evolution of what we once were. Bringing you back to the beginning of the thought of how evolution is depressing.
my after thoughts
Now being a Christian I believe there is a God who created the entire universe and that everything was made be design and even with evolution and the big bang theory I can still mix it in with how it works with the bible and what it says. First from the bible we know that God is a timeless entity and that for him there is no such thing as time. So when it was in Genesis 1:1-31 it says God made the earth in 6 days how do we know that 1 day wasn't just one millennia or any other amount of time. Meaning that in the first day/millennia God could have created the "Big Bang". The second day/millennia the collection of atoms and molecules that formed earth and the air around it. The third day/millennia those thing condensed to make water, land, and the air (sky). Then with that the formation of plants according to there surroundings. The fourth day/millennia were the moon was caught by earth gravitation and the earth caught by the sun's gravitation making set areas on earth and around the sun to see certain other stars and it could have just been when certain stars were formed. The fifth day/millennia were organism were formed by these atoms and molecules that could live in the seas, oceans, lakes, ext. and other things/creatures that could fly. The sixth day/millennia where creatures that could live on land and walk were formed/evolved from the water creatures or the ones in the sky or by any other means. Creating Man/ homo sapiens from the earth to be the rulers of the other creatures he had made and how people say we evolved from monkeys well who knows that could have been the rough draft version of us.
There you have it that evolution, the Big Bang, and Christianity could all be right in one way or an other.
But who knows all this after thought could be the full extent of my evolutionary thought process to give me reason to live longer.
2. What do you think cannot be explained by evolution?
Not sure what can't be explained by evolution because when I think about anything my mind finds a logical way to make sense of why it would be beneficial for me by a evolutionary stand point. For example love basically a way for two people to stay together and help protect and raise their offspring.
3. Provide three examples of eliminative materialism and how it works. You can draw from your own life.
An example would be in how at first we thought the sun revolved around the earth but then we found out that the earth revolves around the sun with all the other planets or like how as a child we believe in Santa Clause until we became adults and started to believe in other things like God or other spiritual beings and each of these things dictate how we lives our lives and motivate us to do things that we wouldn't do without them.
code: 22-2
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Post by mattmail on May 17, 2015 4:49:42 GMT
TEST #4
22-2
1. Why do you think a large number of people resist the theory of evolution by natural selection? What is it about Darwin's theory that makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Be sure to elaborate on your reaction (pro or con).
- I think a large number of people not necessesarily resist the theory of evolution by natural selection, more so they adapt the theory in order to make sense out of their beliefs. I can speak for only myself when I say that as a Christian Man, there are plenty of studies and tests which were made available through the theory of evolution and natural selections that can be nothing less than proof that there is a lot of truth behind the theory, but there have been many experiences in my life in which just can not be explained without my spiritual beliefs. Especially because I hail from a faith based religion. There are many things about Darwins theories that actually make me feel uncomfortable with my current state and belief, but I am embedding the knowledge and through that creating a new type of DNA which incorporates a little bit of both Darwin and Wallace's ideas and I guess creating a new Matthew Idea.
2. What do you think cannot be explained by evolution?
- Through research and personal experience there are numerous events in which the simple theory of evolution, could not suffice to answer. If we look at the Bible as a source of historical data in which has been written and passed down, there are numerous stories of miracles. Even today with a simple google search, or listening to testimonies of members in church there are people who swear by a higher power. Evolution cannot explain everything, although it does provide a source to test and compare it does not provide a positive answer for every question.
3. Provide three examples of eliminative materialism and how it works. You can draw from your own life. - A person develops a sickness. The sickness can not be determined first by math, nor physics. One must seek out a Doctor or someone with a better understanding of the chemistry of the body to properly diagnose the reason for illness. - If one endures a problem at work with his staff or team, he must diagnose where the problem lies. Using the process of eliminative materialism he can see if it the problem is within the chemistry of the workers and how they get along, if that is not the problem maybe its in the biology of one of the staff members in which may need to be relocated or terminated. - Religion, Because religion cannot be fully explained through the vices of eliminative materialism it goes down the check list and can finally be answered as, it must be spiritual or God created it.
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Post by Sierra Gomez on May 17, 2015 5:19:10 GMT
TEST #4
22-2
1. I think that people do not believe in the theory of natural selection because without religion there is no hope. If there is no hope then what is the reason to live? Humans have adapted and survived the plagues of natural selection with the help of religion. Without religion they may have not necessarily chosen the proper path when the question arose of what is right and what is wrong. Morality of the people play a big part in the game of natural selection because that can determine if a person can be motivated enough to put in hard work to make a business properly function. Make decisions such as if someones business was not quiet thriving would it be a wise decision to purchase or begin a lease on a brand new vehicle for personal gain, or invest the money towards the growth of the business. The Bible teaches of 10 commandments in which are to be abided by at all times, in which in my opinion can be viewed as a life hack to help one through the gruesome ride of natural selection. Go Wallace!
2. Evolution teaches that the universe was created in a matter of seconds if not minutes, definetly within a quick burst of time. In the Bible the book of Genesis mentions something along the lines of God spoke the words "let there be light." And with a quick burst our universe was formed. Also, why would a man so honored and prestigious as Wallace believe something so strongly as to go head to head with Darwin himself. It makes you wonder.
3. Eliminative Materialism can be used for all things. It is a process that is used to explain a phenomenon. If it can not be fully explained through math, then one turns to phsyics then to chemistry then to biology.
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