1. One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section. The major idea of the section this week was the human condition. It explained many of the charecteristics that humans naturally do, both good and bad. The human condidtion is all about being in the cave, as Plato would put it, and not even having the desire to get out. The human condition is something that everyone goes through, and it has taken many philosophers many years to find out what it actually is. This section of the course has helped me learn some of what it means to be human, and some of the faults and failures of everyone. We watched several movies about how even are politicians, supposedly the best and the brightest of the country, lie to cover up their mistake, and that these lies have dire consequences.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week. 1. The first idea I learned was about M Scott Peck's "Map to Life." He brought up the ideas that everyone has a map to life, but most of the time peoples maps are either only paritally correct or fully incorrect. He brings up the point that since most people are not even aware that they have a map, it is impossible for them to fix it. He says we should be constantly trying to recvise our maps by getting opposite views then we have on issues, and listening to others even if we think that they are wholly wrong. I think a place where this applies for me is politics. I think that getting opposite views on some issues can help me come up with a fuller, more complete map.
2. Another key idea was the film "The Truth About Lies." This film showed me the sheer amount of dcepetion that is goin on in todays world, even among the best and brightest our country has to offer. I think it also helps me to understand how lies can eveolve, and how possibly that lies are part of the human condition. I also now understand better what lies are, and how even small deceptions can evolve into bigger ones. The "Truth About Lies" changed my views on how the governement operated during the Vietnam War, and showed me that both the media and the government was lying at that time.
3. The third key idea I learned was on C.S. Lewis's ideas about evil. HE had a four point hypothesis, but if three of the four were true the fourth could not be. His hypothesis was 1.If God is all-good, He would desire nothing but good. 2. If God is all pwerful, then He can have anything He wants.
3. But if the creatures are not happy. 4. Therefore, Either God is not all-powerful or not all-good, or possibly both. This hypothesis really symbolizes most of the doubts I have about religion. I think it is an excellent tool to strengthen your faith.
