Platos The Republic and The Old Testament Essay - 2260 Words

Platos The Republic and The Old Testament A Buddhist teaching suggests that practicing Buddhism is like taking a raft over a great river. One riverbank represents the realm of ‘samsara,’ the cycle of suffering that we are all spinning around in. On the other side is ‘wakefulness,’ or ‘nirvana,’ an enlightened state of awareness characterized by an infinite sense of unity and bliss. The raft symbolizes Buddhism; its purpose being to help us cross over from samsara to nirvana. According to the teaching, however, a curious thing happens to the individual who manages to reach the ‘banks of enlightenment.’ Having climbed off of the raft, she turns around to discover that she cannot now see any riverbank on the side from which she†¦show more content†¦From such an understanding, it is well reasoned to develop an interpretive framework for analyzing such systems that is rooted in what Ken Wilber, borrowing from Leibniz and Huxley, refers to as the Perennial Philosoph y. (7-8) This is the idea that the world’s great religions and wisdom traditions possess a â€Å"transcendental unity†. That is, manuscripts and teachings the world over, spanning thousands of years of human history, can be viewed as together describing one unified vision of the cosmos. In this way, each text is like a section on a quilted tapestry, seeming to approach reality from a distinctive position due to the unique contextual medium out of which it emerges, but essentially congruent with the other sections in terms of certain key themes and ideas. This being the case, the entire tapestry, of course, is likely to provide us with a more acute representation of those themes and ideas than would any individual portion thereof. The Perennial Philosophy, then, is exactly the point of view I will work from as I elucidate the connections between Plato’s allegory of the Cave and the Judeo-Christian myths. Both of these accounts, I will argue, make reference to precisely the same state of wakefulness that we encountered in the Buddhist parable above, but each does it in a manner constrained by the historical and cultural situations that inform them. Furthermore, by examining the similarities between theShow MoreRelatedPlatos Belief that the Human Soul is Immortal1297 Words   |  6 Pagesat Pentecost, descending as the Spirit to share life with the Christian church.† Thus the Trinity Doctrine was born out of Plato’s triad. The Goodness is God; the ideas are Jesus; and the World-Spirit is the Holy Spirit. All were the same theory except reshaped in order to fit into Christian doctrine. While the divine aspects of Christianity are obviously derived from Plato’s theories, it is also important to discuss human nature – more specifically the idea of the immortal soul. Plato believed inRead MoreThis week’s reading centered on the social contract between God and the Israelites. The reader,600 Words   |  3 Pagesaspect is not that God controlled nature, but he did it on behalf of the Israelites. Boadt notes that, â€Å"science will state all the plagues occurred naturally, but the bible show the why and mystery of timing.† The reader’s impression of the â€Å"Old Testament God† changed from a God who is an all-powerful warrior God, to a God who is a loving protector after this week’s reading. Another central theme of Exodus the reader found was justice for good and evil, and the inevitable definition of what â€Å"good†Read MoreThe Influence of Platos Theories on Chrisianity1169 Words   |  5 Pagesof the founding fathers of Western philosophy. Living from roughly 428 BCE until 348 BCE, Plato’s theories predated Christianity by at least four centuries. Because of this, it can be assumed that early Christian worshippers used Plato’s teachings as a basis for their religion. It is evident that there is a surprising amount of similarities between Plato’s philosophy and early Christianity. By utilizing Plato’s theories and philosophy, early Christians were able to bridge the gap between paganism andRead MoreEssay about The Nature of Evil1552 Words   |  7 Pagesvaries in its distinctions of the two conceptions of morality, good and bad are cultural universals originating from Pre-Socratic philosophical notions. Morality in its absolute sense can be traced back to the dialogues of Plato. Book IV of Plato’s â€Å"Republic† laid the foundation that morality was in one’s best interest, holding that morality is just and good for both psychological and religious accord (Parry, 31). Whether in the form of Moral Absolutism or Relativism, the notion of evil has shapedRead MoreA Humanist Perspective And A Biblical Perspective3024 Words   |  13 PagesInternational Version). Since this time, many philosophers have developed their own theories of justice. One of these philosophers is Plato. Plato lived in the time of ancient Greece. Plato’s work is broken up into three time periods: Early, middle, and end. In the middle of his middle period comes Plato’s dialogue work ‘The Republic’ which is so long it is made up of ten books (Honderich, 2005). This dialogue work focused on two questions: â€Å"What is justice, and why should we be just?† (SparkNotes EditorsRead MoreThu cydide vs Plato on The Good Life Essay1927 Words   |  8 Pagesquestions, logical conversations, and conclusions by and between his central character, Socrates, and other players--to promote philosophy, self-sacrifice, and moderation as just and right methods to achieve the Good Life. In The Apology, one of Platos earliest dialogues, Socrates, on trial for his life, gives a lengthy speech in court. In short, Socrates tells Athenians he would, and will if still given chance, continue to spread the truth that living a virtuous life, without regard to luxuryRead MoreAnalysis Of Star Wars1495 Words   |  6 Pagesevents, and theologies. From the first installment of Star Wars, it is overtly operant of George Lucas’ intentions to weigh in on ideas of government and its ability to oppress A war-torn galaxy devastated by civil war brought on by an oppressive â€Å"republic†, lives in fear. In this fictional galaxy, opponents of the Empire are crushed without hesitation, in attempt to quell any type of hope for a rebellion (Episode IV). The government masquerades as a democracy, but in reality, is nothing more thanRead MoreAnimalistic Behavior In Platos Republic And The Aeneid1772 Words   |  8 Pagesfrom animal. Once humans are able to balance the soul with reason, they can live virtuously. This ability to become a virtuous being is demonstrated throughout Plato’s Republic and Virgil’s Aeneid. Throughout The Holy Bible, Christians and the Jewish people continue to expand on certain qualities which make one virtuous. In the Republic, Plato sets out to define the components of a virtuous soul. Plato declares that the soul is divided into a tripartite, which consists of appetite, spirit, and reasonRead More Christianity According to St. Augustine and Machiavelli Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pagesdecline of the Roman Empire and the effect of this decline on the still faithful Christians. Augustine blamed the pagan gods and their lack of concern for the moral character which defined those who worshiped them. He also makes a reference to Plato’s Republic, in regards to the way Plato wanted to banish the poets from his city in speech. Augustine also felt that there should be strong censorship of the poets when writing about the gods because they made fools out of them. Augustine is also very concernedRead MorePolitical Philosophy and Plato Essay9254 Words   |  38 Pageschiefly through the accounts of later classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon, and the pl ays of his contemporary Aristophanes. Many would claim that Platos dialogues are the most comprehensive accounts of Socrates to survive from antiquity. Through his portrayal in Platos dialogues, Socrates has become renowned for his contribution to the field of ethics, and it is this Platonic Socrates who also lends his name to the concepts of Socratic irony and the Socratic

Leadership Styles From The Television - 1395 Words

Introduction A leader I admire, whether real-life or fictional character from the television, the movies or a book, will be identified. Leadership theories will be used to evaluate my selected leader to determine what characteristics and leadership abilities helped this leader become successful. I will also include an evaluation of my own leadership style and identify what my individual leadership characteristics are. The plan will be developed to improve my leadership style based upon the findings of my chosen leader’s leadership style compared to my own. Leadership Style Leadership influences a group of people towards an established, clear vision. Leadership styles differ considerably from leader to leader, while some leaders are more†¦show more content†¦Trait theories were based upon a person having the right traits to be selected to be a leader while behavioral theories of leadership were base upon the idea that a person could be taught to be a leader. Charismatic leaders have four key characteristics which are: having a vision, willing to take personal risks, sensitive to follower needs, and unconventional behavior (Robbins Judge, 2013). Examples of charismatic leaders include Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Steve Jobs. Transformational leaders provide their follower’s idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Richardson, 2011). A few examples of transformational leaders would be Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Andrea Jung (Avon), and Mahatma Gandhi. The CEO Douglas R. Conant of Campbell Soup believes in authentic leadership style, which is built upon ethics and trust. Authentic Leaders are genuine, are mission-driven, lead with their heart, and are focused on the long-term organization success (Kruse, 2013). Leader chosen Out of the leaders mentioned above, the one leader I admire is Steve Paul Jobs, Co-founder and CEO of Apple, Inc. from 1997-2011. Steve Jobs started with Apple, Inc. in 1977 with a company he created in his garage. After twenty years of working with Apple, Inc., Steve Jobs finally earned his title as CEO of the

Obama speech free essay sample

These Parties onsist of the OECD members of Annex l, but not the EIT Parties. They are required to provide financial resources to enable developing countries to undertake emissions reduction activities under the Convention and to help them adapt to adverse effects of climate change. In addition, they have to take all practicable steps to promote the development and transfer of environmentally friendly technologies to EIT Parties and developing countries. Funding provided by Annex II Parties is channelled mostly through the Conventions financial mechanism. Non-Annex I Parties are mostly developing countries. Certain groups of developing countries are recognized by the Convention as being especially vulnerable to the adverse Impacts of climate change, Including countries with low-lying coastal areas and those prone to desertification and drought. Others (such as countries that rely heavily on income from fossil fuel production and commerce) feel more vulnerable to the potential economic impacts of climate change response measures. We will write a custom essay sample on Obama speech or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Convention emphasizes activities that promise to answer the special needs and concerns of these vulnerable countries, such as Investment, nsurance and technology transfer. 1 OF3 United Nations. They are given special consideration under the Convention on account of their limited capacity to respond to climate change and adapt to its adverse effects. Parties are urged to take full account of the special situation of LDCs when considering funding and technology-transfer activities. Observer states include the Holy See, Palestine and South Sudan. Observer organizations include intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), such as the OECD and International Energy Agency (IEA), along with non-governmental organizations NGOS). Over 1 598 NGOs and 99 IGOs are admitted as observers. The NGOs represent a broad spectrum of interests, and embrace representatives from business and industry, environmental groups, farming and agriculture, indigenous populations, local governments and municipal authorities, research and academic institutes, labour unions, women and gender and youth groups.

Shakespeare Also Spelled SHAKSPERE, Byname BARD OF AVON, Or SWAN OF AV

Shakespeare also spelled SHAKSPERE, byname BARD OF AVON, or SWAN OF AVON English poet, dramatist, and actor, often called the English national poet and considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time. Shakespeare occupies a position unique in world literature. Other poets, such as Homer and Dante, and novelists, such as Leo Tolstoy and Charles Dickens, have transcended national barriers; but no writer's living reputation can compare with that of Shakespeare, whose plays, written in the late 16th and early 17th centuries for a small repertory theatre, are now performed and read more often and in more countries than ever before. The prophecy of his great contemporary, the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson, that Shakespeare was not of an age, but for all time, has been fulfilled. It may be audacious even to attempt a definition of his greatness, but it is not so difficult to describe the gifts that enabled him to create imaginative visions of pathos and mirth that, whether read or witnessed in the theatre, fill the mind and linger there. He is a writer of great intellectual rapidity, perceptiveness, and poetic power. Other writers have had these qualities, but with Shakespeare the keenness of mind was applied not to abstruse or remote subjects but to human beings and their complete range of emotions and conflicts. Other writers have applied their keenness of mind in this way, but Shakespeare is astonishingly clever with words and images, so that his mental energy, when applied to intelligible human situations, finds full and memorable expression, convincing and imaginatively stimulating. As if this were not enough, the art form into which his creative energies went was not remote and bookish but involved the vivid stage impersonation of human beings, commanding sympathy and inviting vicarious participation. Thus Shakespeare's merits can survive translation into other languages and into cultures remote from that of Elizabethan England. Next ** Contents of this article: Introduction Shakespeare the man Life Early life in Stratford Career in the theatre Private life Early posthumous documentation The tributes of his colleagues Anecdotes and documents Portraits The poet and dramatist The intellectual background Poetic conventions and dramatic traditions Changes in language Shakespeare's literary debts Theatrical conditions Chronology of Shakespeare's plays Publication Poetic and dramatic powers The early poems The sonnets The order of the poems Artistic invention or real experience Human experience in the poems The early plays Henry VI, 1, 2, and 3 The Comedy of Errors Titus Andronicus The Two Gentlemen of Verona The Taming of the Shrew Love's Labour's Lost Romeo and Juliet The histories The Tragedy of King Richard III The Tragedy of King Richard II 1 Henry IV; 2 Henry IV King John Henry V The Roman plays Antony and Cleopatra Coriolanus The great, or middle, comedies The outsider Wit and ambiguity The great tragedies Hamlet Othello King Lear Macbeth Timon of Athens The dark comedies Troilus and Cressida All's Well That Ends Well; Measure for Measure The late plays Pericles Cymbeline The Winter's Tale The Tempest Henry VIII Collaborative and attributed plays Shakespeare's reading Understanding Shakespeare Sympathetic exploration of the texts Causes of difficulty Questions of authorship The claims put forward for Bacon Other candidates The case for Shakespeare Linguistic and historical problems Textual and editorial problems Overcoming some difficulties The contribution of textual criticism Historical, linguistic, and dramatic studies Literary criticism Literary critics and the theatre The progress of Shakespeare criticism Shakespeare's influence Major Works Plays Poems Bibliography Modern editions Bibliographies Textual studies Biographies and background studies Critical studies Tools E-mail this article Print this article More About This Topic Article Images Index Entry Internet Links Maps