Ethics

I'm taking an intro ethics philosophy class this semester, and my first assignment was to answer the following question. I just thought I'd post my response because I LOVE this kind of stuff, and I think it's so cool how everything points back to God. (I had fun practicing my biblical worldview!)

Question: Socrates argues that human ignorance is the cause of evil. Do you agree?

I initially began this post agreeing with Socrates’ claim that human ignorance is the cause of evil. However, with a bit more thinking, I chose to alter the statement. I believe that human ignorance is, in itself, evil and that human ignorance is the cause of evil simply because evil begets evil. The book states that Socrates equates knowledge with virtue, and I would have to agree with this concept. If knowledge equals virtue, than the opposite is also true – ignorance equals evil. Therefore, the more knowledge a person possesses, the less evil they possess. I feel that as one receives knowledge, he or she cannot help but to be changed by it. This knowledge is a cause that produces an effect and leads to the process of becoming more virtuous.

With all that said, I do not agree that “self-knowledge” is key but rather knowledge as an entity. In my opinion, it is impossible for one to reach full self-knowledge. People do things on a regular basis without any idea as to why. Even science falls short on explaining different human actions and reactions. If one cannot reach perfect self-knowledge, then it would follow that one could not reach a level of perfect virtue. Because of this, I agree when the book mentions that attaining perfect wisdom transcends human ability.

In order to measure something, you must have a standard to measure it against. Hence, it follows that if one is trying to measure his or her own level of virtue, a perfect standard of virtue must already exist. Socrates stated that this standard is knowledge, which I agree with; however, I feel that this poses another question. What exactly is that entity of knowledge? If it has the ability to cause change, doesn’t it have to be “living and active,” so to speak? Just some food for thought!

Boot Camp

Following is a short article I wrote for the upcoming newsletter of a local Right to Life chapter. I attended a prolife training camp in July, and the president asked me to write a review of what I brought home from the camp. I didn't have a lot of time to write it, so I don't feel like it is my best work. I submitted it a few days ago, and they loved it! woo hoo!

 

When one hears the words “boot camp”, images of weaponry, drill exercises, and unified camaraderie often come to mind. Through this vital training camp, soldiers gain the abilities to defend, attack, and protect. On July 15^th and 16^th, a similar kind of boot camp occurred in the war for the unborn. Every summer, the Allen County Friends for Life hosts a prolife camp with the goal of training and equipping high school and college-aged students for battle. Throughout the weekend, attendees are armed with an arsenal of knowledge and instruction in defending life. This year, I had the honor of attending the camp along with over a hundred others. I had never before taken part in a large prolife youth gathering, and the result was powerful! Unified and like-minded friendships were gained along with necessary skills that encourage all to live by Proverbs 31:8. (“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.”) A strong voice was raised up as those of all different backgrounds came together in unity, forgetting differences and pushing ahead towards one goal. All in attendance spent the two days in rigorous training under front-line defenders of the unborn, including Live Action’s Lila Rose, Indiana Family Institute’s Sue Swayze, Life Training Institute’s Scott Klusendorf, and many more. We soldiers were drilled as we went from convocation to workshop to small group meeting, receiving practical wisdom on how to protect life politically, scientifically, philosophically, and apologetically. Regardless of having cultivated a heart for the unborn since childhood, I was personally delighted to return home armed with a cache of new perspectives and tactful tactics. (For the record, it is indeed possible to win the prolife debate without losing our opponents!) As the boot camp ended and our army divided and departed to our separate homes, jobs, and campuses, I could not help but to see the cause of life advancing. In the words of Lila Rose, “At the end of the day, truth and love always win, and we have truth and love on our side.”

To Lay Down and Die

You say that you just want to lay down and die. You say that this life is too hard, that it would be easier not to go on.

There is a reason you gravitate towards death. This is the reason you were created.

Your heart was not meant to undergo those words, those experiences, those emotions, those activities. They make you miserable and provoke you to long for the release of death.

You were made to experience so much more.

But here's they key. You're right on track.

You long for death because your heart was created to long for it. Death is not the absence of life; it is the entrance into it! You're right - you DO need to lay down and die. You feel miserable because you were never meant for the life that you're living. That misery that you feel is meant to push you away from those things which torment your heart and towards that Thing which pleasures your heart.

Die to yourself. Die to your desires. Die to your passions. Die to your own decisions, your own choices, your own control of your own life. Pick up Christ! Die so that He may live  in you and pour out His abundant life through you! Come to the Thing that is the source of pleasure evermore! That life is the true release that your heart is looking for.

Don't be afraid. Go ahead - just lay down and die. I promise that you'll never regret it.