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The importance of spiritual growth
Evil moral and natural evil essay
The importance of spiritual growth
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Carmela Tayag
William Ramsey
TA: John Anders
3 March 2014
Phil 101-1001: First Assignment
In this essay, I will be arguing about humanity’s spiritual evolution. For humanity to evolve spiritually, it must go from an inferior state to a superior state. First, I will defend my conclusion by stating my reasons to support my conclusion. I will defend them and expand as well as explain what I mean. Before going in depth of my claims, I will first clarify critical terminology such as “moral evil” and “natural evil”. Finally, I will touch on some oppositions regarding any of my claims.
First, for humans to evolve spiritually, it must go from an inferior stare to a superior state. Second, for humanity to evolve spiritually there must be a state of interiority. Thirdly, an inferior state includes a time when there is both moral and natural evil. Fourth, therefore for humanity to evolve spiritually there must be a time when there is both moral and natural evil. Before going into detail, I will define some terms. Moral evil is the type of evil caused by intentional action or inaction in some cases. They include but aren’t limited to lying, killing, theft, and other injustices. Natural evil can be defined as an evil that occurs as consequences of nature such as diseases, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. An inferior state is state of lower quality and a lesser, more mediocre version of something. A superior state is a state of better quality and enhancement. In this case, the superior state is the result of evolving spiritually and developing virtues to reach a more enlightened state.
For humans to evolve spiritually they must have a starting point and have an ending point. Between these two points humans must go through a time that will evoke...
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...thy and concern about others leading to spiritual development.
Some might say that it would be much simpler if there was no need to develop virtues and live in a world where there is no moral that is acted upon. But without moral evil in action one cannot develop of full understanding and comprehension of the characteristics such as compassion and sympathy. Though there is natural evil, it does not always illicit the same degree of certain virtues. Without facing and living through and with moral and natural evils, humanity cannot truly evolve spiritually thus moving to a more superior state.
Without a time where there is both moral and natural evil, humanity would not evolve spiritually. Humanity would simply stay on a neutral state without vices or virtues. In this neutral state there would be no need to evolve because there is nothing to grow from spiritually.
Mankind was not born virtuous. Instead, they were born out of sin, and have sinful nature. For example, in Out of The Silent Planet,
The cause of how people have chosen evil has been a conceptual issue for thousands of years on many different perspectives. People from a religious point of view believe that the underlining cause of evil is sin and temptation. Half of the time humans can choose good over evil in situations based off the legal system and the moral standards of society. "The interest of work in the common would not hold it together, instinctual ...
The problem of evil has been categorized variously, but the major categorizations of evil entail the physical evil on the one hand, and the moral evil, on the other hand. Physical evil has been defined as the occurrence of a physical suffering and destruction that is caused by the operation of natural laws, with no involvement of the human intention in the occurrence of such events (Kremer and Latzer, 89). On the other hand, moral evil has been defined as the occurrence of events that violates the natural laws, for which humans are responsible (Kremer and Latzer, 89). In this respect, while in the physical evil there is no participation of humans, the moral evil is contributed by the involvement of the personal will and intellect in doing what naturally should not be done, or what is simply considered morally wrong.
Humans “goodness derives from conscious activity,” (101). Tzu compared conscious activity to a teacher that is helping their student become a better person. For example, when I started swimming lessons I could not swim to save my life. As I continued to keep on practicing and attending swim lessons, I became a better swimmer and now I have mastered swimming. I was not naturally good at swimming but I was nurtured and now I can swim on my own. Tzu talks about a warped piece of wood that “must wait until it has been laid against the straightening board, steamed and forced into shape before it can become straight” (101). He then compares the piece of board to man’s nature, evil. Because man’s nature is evil, “it must wait for the instructions of a teacher before it can become upright” (101). One could question, If human nature is evil then where does ritual and rightness come from? Ritual and Rightness come from the conscious activity of human beings. Because humans are naturally evil, they seek goodness and order that comes from ritual and rightness activities. The existing of kings and leaders also gives prove that man’s nature is evil. If humans were naturally good then the need for government would not be needed, but because humans lack order, the establishment of a ruler given all authority to set laws to maintain order has forever
Different theories have been developed which relate to this theme of moral decay throughout history, even several centuries after Hesiod's life. This idea of evolutionary decay seems to corroborate with the widely received, contemporary theory of evolution, or Darwinism, brought forth through the designs and beliefs of Charles Darwin in which he states that, in nature, only the fittest creatures will survive ...
In humanity's constant search for understanding, one of the core issues concerns our very nature. Knowledge of our true nature would provide an insight into many of the questions that go unanswered in our world. Whether deep down inside we are good or evil decides what situation we are in, and has implications about what we can do about it. Two famous figures in Christian history have taken opposing views on this subject. Augustine believed that humans have been corrupted at the core ever since the fall of man back in Genesis, while Pelagius believed that humans have complete freedom to choose good or evil, and human depravity is only a direct result of choosing evil.
Chouraeshkenazi argued that religious and socio-political ideologies seem to be on a collision course with evolutionary psychology, leading to plenty of negative reactions to the latter. It is acknowledged that Christian Fundamentalists are bound to take issue with evolutionary
A question that has plagued philosophers is whether humans are naturally good or evil. Various historical circumstances have show that there is no definitive answer and there is no consensus answer amongst philosophers.
1. I think that evil isn't inherent in human nature. Humans aren't born evil because they learn it over time. Humans are born to do selfish and greedy things. When we are young we are taught to be good to fit the social norm. We are raised to be kind and nice to overcome our evil actions and tendencies. People can be good but it is easier to be bad becuase we are born with animal instincts. For example in the Lord of the Flies, it was easier for the boys to give into hunting because they thought it was fun and it would give them a rush of adrenaline. Humans have the tendencies to be good or bad. But because we are human we don't know what good or bad is. I think that we learn to be evil because of the enviornment. For example is someone is born in a violent environment, they too will be violent. As John Locke says, people are born as a blank slate. You are able to make your own choices as you grow up as to who you want to be, you aren't just born as something without a choice.
Nature is only about survival. Humans co-exist with our environment and other species. In nature, beasts obliterate other beasts. As an example, a lion will attack the back of a zebra, which can be seen as a conning or disingenuous tactic. According to Xuni Zi, “ If you do not know a man, look at his friends; if you don not know a ruler, look at his attendants” (Xuni Zi 92). Furthermore, animals and humans do not have allies. At the end of the day, an animal or man will only look out for themselves. An example that supports that statement is a baby will kill their other sibling while in the womb. Yet, they have not been born. So, when they are birthed are they not already evil? Humans being at the top of the food chain can mutilate the most
The ideas of spirituality and religion differ from one another, but sustain the same purpose. Spirituality includes a sense of connection to one’s self, which drives the search for the meaning of life. On the other hand, religion revolves around a particular system of faith and worship. The questions that arise from religion consist of the contrasting views of morally right and wrong actions. Between the two, spirituality and religion, both reveal themselves as mental guides for one’s way of living. From my perspective, spirituality represents a higher degree of personal value. As time progresses, one’s character grows and develops from his surroundings. The impact of his surroundings leads to an active search for meaning and purpose, the experience of synchronicity, and the questioning of his place in life. Rather than following a systematic set of rules, often set by certain religions, spirituality allows for the freedom
Based on my knowledge and research, humans are inherently good rather than bad. People have argued whether humans are naturally moral or immoral for several millennia. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Francophone Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer from the 1700s, proposed that humans were inherently just. He believed that humans were born good, but civilization turned them corrupt. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, argued that humans were naturally savage and barbaric. Hobbes, on the contrary, believed that humans were innately savage, but civilization made them beneficial.
Humans start with a blank mindset, it is only their surroundings and the people around them that change their natural inclinations towards evil behavior. Humans are not inherently good because good is something agreed upon by society.
In philosophy and ethics, an ancient debate has raged on for centuries. A seemingly simple question has led some of the greatest philosophers ever to lock horns. Are humans inherently good or evil? I believe we are good, however we have different ideas of what “good” is, or circumstance forces us to turn evil.
This course has consistently expanded my knowledge and comprehension in regards to religion and its correlation to the human psyche. The curriculum’s progression has been effective in introducing the basic concepts of religion, including its definition and general information about world religions. Weeks four through eight have built upon the basic foundation that was established in weeks one through three. From early childhood to late adulthood, the human mind is constantly developing. Growth of the brain along with life experiences can alter ones view towards religion. This reflection paper will focus on the main topics recently covered like human development in religion and mythology.