Neil Salsich's Journal: Section 5
1.One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week.
A key idea from this section is atheism. Unlike an agnostic, someone who is unsure about the existence of God, an atheist deliberately denies the existence of God. These atheists are called positive atheists. Someone who does not publicly deny the existence of God but have no connection with God in their life and makes no attempt to connect with God is called a practical atheist. Positive atheists usually believe that belief in a god hinders human progress. Friedrich Nietzsche, arguably the most well known positive athiest, by saying "God is dead" (RB, 109), meant that in this radical and ever changing new world, with traditional values and morals gone, belief in God is dead. Subsequently, humans must now do accomplish something never done before: live in a world without God. Nietzsche believed that people do not act on rational arguments or reason, but that they act on their gut feelings and desires; everyone must live according to their own rules. However, he explains that most people cannot follow their own desires, or will to power, or else the entire world would be in chaos. One leader emerges periodically with a strong will to power, and unites people to accomplish something great; Nietzsche called this person a Superman. Hobbes, the best known practical atheist, had a vastly different way of thinking than Nietzsche. He believed that the human race will never amount to much, and that since they cannot act against their genetic programming, they have no real free will. Though it may seems as though people are acting freely, in actuality people act in accordance with their genetic programming for self defense, protection of their families, and comfortable living. Though he was an atheist, he advocated that religion is good because it keeps people busy and thus peaceful. In his mind, destiny controls the outcome of an individual's life, not the individual's actions.
List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
Objective vs. Relative Morality - Onjective morality is the theory that, if God is absolute and unchanging, than his values and our (the human race) subsequent morals are also absolute and unchanging. It applies to all cultures and civilizations now and throughout history. Relative morality is the theory promoted by Nietzsche that morals are relative to the time and culture they are placed in.
Slave Morality - Slave morality is what Nietzsche used to justify his dislike towards Jews and Christians; it is the result of a people ignoring their will to power and thus prevents them from accomplishing anything great (in Nietzsches opinion).
Existentialism - Existentialism, a philosophy promoted by Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard and Fyodor Dosteoevsky, maintains that the most important questions one facves are not those of objective truths but those of subjective truth, ones that concern a person directly.
3. One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.
Source: Edvard Munch, Norwegian Painter
Source: www.arqnet.pt/portal/teoria/hobbes.html
4. One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
Am I a practical atheist? Many people would say that by my actions (or inaction, in this case) that I am--Am I doing anything to change this? Do I really want to change?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study.
After finishing this study, I think I can carefully examine whether or not I am a practical atheist. To be honest, my Catholic religion has been slipping to the wayside lately; I wouldn't consider myself a practical atheist yet, but if I continue on this path then I may very well end up there. In order to make myself a better, more faithful person, I can try and change my direction and work on regaining a strong religious faith.
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