To Live for God or for Meaning

The 17th century philosopher Rene Descartes believed that God exists. His proof of an all perfect being’s existence was explained by having an idea of God that had to have been caused by God. But simply having an idea of God is not enough for there to necessarily exist such a being. This paper will critically examine Descartes’s causal argument though its premises and conclusion.

When most refer to a change in reason or belief, there is a reference to a shift in psychological and cultural beliefs. Throughout antiquity, cultural belief was driven by theological policy. It was not until the philosophical teachings of Socrates and Plato, who helped to carve the path of literature as we know it today. Hunt et al. states, “These early Greek philosophers deeply influenced later times by being the first to clearly separate scientific thinking from myth and religion” (70). In short, philosophy is responsible for changing the views of what drives reason from the oversight of gods and deities, to the belief that state of mind is fueled by empirical evidence.

Most people want to live a meaningful life. They feel that is important to live a life that is sufficient and worthwhile. The meaning of life has been debated among many people and philosophers throughout history. There have been several theories used to try to explain the true purpose of life in some subjective or objective perspective. Louis Pojman argued that religion gives every individual life meaning to it and those who choose not to believe have no morality or purpose in life. On the other hand, suppose someone would object Pojman theory and believed that life with or without God is not required for finding meaning in life. In the following paper, I will explain Pojman theories about religion giving meaning to life and what that life may consist of. Second, I wish to explain how an atheist would reject his premise and provide a response to how a person of faith would respond to and atheists argument.

Crime data is released by many cities but there is inconsistent information available on the Criminal Justice related data at an individual level. There is limited awareness on how much data is available and accessible. The statistical tables and other released data could form a basis for innovation in the Criminal Justice System. Converting this data into meaningful insights through data visualizations, infographics, applications will meet the high demand for accessing, and better understanding of this information by the general public, researchers, developers, NGO’s, journalists and many other groups within the Criminal Justice System. Criminal Justice information is often complex and includes a wide range of identifiers/data

Nietzsche states that, if people stop believing in God, Christianity or faith eventually would come to an end. Nietzsche, with his essay makes a reference to current times. He talks about the evolution of technology, science and the rise of atheism. Nowadays with technology and science, we are able to provide answers to many of the questions, that before were just unproven hypothesis, such as how the earth came about (Big Bang theory), where do humans come from (theory of evolution). Technology and science have been able to provide a logical, proven and scientific answer to all these questions. As a result, Christianity is facing a decline of followers and practitioners. Many people, including myself nowadays look at all the logical, practical and empirical aspect of things first. However, in the past individuals relayed only on the divine aspect to find answers to

There are numerous arguments presented on the modern death of God by the German Idealist (Hegel, Feuerbach), the existentialists (Nietzsche, Frederick Depoortere Paul Sartre), and the modern scientists (Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris). Nietzsche, argues that from the modern death, it does not imply that experiences a physical death, but he theorizes that if Christians doubt the availability of the spiritual being, then the community’s morality will be separated. On the other hand, Richard Dawkins argues that, God’s notion should be observed or considered just like the other scientific hypothesis. The German Idealists Hegel and Feuerbach argue that God is also a complete being and that God is the holy mystery that people cannot understand the same way they understand other things in the world.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s own skepticism symbolized the secular changes in contemporary Western civilization, in which he details mankind’s break away from faith into a new rule of chaos. In Book 5 of The Gay Science, Nietzsche establishes that “God is dead”, meaning that modern Europe has abandoned religion in favor of rationality and science (Nietzsche 279). From this death, the birth of a ‘new’ infinite blossoms in which the world is open to an unlimited amount of interpretations that do not rely on the solid foundations of faith in religion or science. However, in contrast to the other philosophers of his age such as Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Nietzsche deviates from the omniscient determinism of history towards a

In Descartes’ Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, he explains the various steps that should be taken in achieving genuine knowledge. Descartes rejects all beliefs in things that are doubtable, and he then tries to unbiasedly reestablish what can be known for sure. One of his most interesting argument is proving the existence of God. He hoped to provide a way for atheists, who demand a logical explanation in God’s existence, to believe in God. His rules of thought meant to ensure that our knowledge rests upon a firm foundation.

Descartes declares that he will only accept ideas that he can absolutely affirm, but accepts the existence of God without adequately proving it. This inadequacy undermines his declared project of defining the world in terms of established ideas. He does not sufficiently prove the idea of God, yet bases so much on it. When he later discusses physical bodies, intellect, and mathematical concepts, the reader cannot forget that everything he writes is based on the shaky foundation of the Christian God, and finds his

“Why do we do what we do?” This question is the epitome of existential philosophy, and quite frankly there is no clear-cut answer. However, three major ideas are prevalent and consequently discussed in Dr. Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. They are Sigmund Freud’s Will to Pleasure, Alfred Adler’s

What is the meaning of life? Well known Greek philosphers such as Socrates and Plato believed that our purpose in this life was to gain knowledge in preparation for the next life. Other Philosophers such as Epicurus believed that pleasure is the main goal in life. After giving these ideas lots of thought, I have come to my own conclusion that the true meaning of life is far more complex than either of these; far too complex for any human to fully comprehend. In fact these two different philosophies are only part of the grand picture. If it were that easy for men to figure out our lives wouldn't be so messed up now. The meaning of life revolves around many different things. I

The existence of God has been a question since the idea of God was conceived. Descartes tries to prove Gods existence, to disprove his Evil demon theory, and to show that there is without a doubt something external to ones own existence. He is looking for a definite certainty, a foundation for which he can base all of his beliefs and know for a fact that they are true.

Dr. Seuss wrote in his book Happy Birthday to You, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Every essence of our being, from our personalities to our DNA is different from everyone else in this world. Many of these distinctions are apparent in the classroom setting and at times can prove challenging for a teacher. Some students may learn the lessons very quickly while others may take extra time and may need out-of-class help. These differences will affect their ability to learn and grow as a student and the strategies I implement in my classroom will affect their ability to succeed.

Life has no meaning if you don't have the urge to wake up the next morning to see the next day. Many people live their lives unhappy since they have no purpose or meaning to fulfill or satisfy their needs. Purpose to me is something to live for and something to look forward to in life. Without purpose and meaning in life there is no point of living at all. Recently in the existentialism unit we’ve been reading, I learned that without a passion to live, one’s life means nothing and is a waste of a soul. Based on the previous books I’ve read, I learned I am happy because I have things to look forward to in life and to wake up the next morning to enjoy the new day. Three elements that give me purpose and meaning in my life are my family, my

This is no joke. You guys have got to understand that this life is not all fun and games like it is on TV. And any man who has been successful will tell you that it takes hard work and dedication to achieve anything in this life. You have to work hard to get what you desire in this life. Some of us will have to work harder because of the mission the Lord has given for you to accomplish in this life.