knowing

So epistemology is the theory of knowledge. Basically it tries to answer the questions of 'what do we know' and 'how do we know it.' Its very basic and person's answer to these questions will say a lot about all of the other beliefs they hold. I just finished with Ayn Rand's book Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. I am mainly interested in this topic, at this time, for how knowledge and faith intersect or are distinct from each other. I haven't read a whole lot on epistemology besides Locke, Hume and Berkely[I can't really remember their theories]. I do like Rand's Objectivist epistemology. I will badly summarize it by saying the main thrust of it is that man's concepts are based in reality. This is a bit different than faith in that faith is usually asserted and not based on empirical evidence or not experienced in reality. For Christianity there are a number of truths that just asserted that we can neither confirm nor deny absolutely. For example we cannot absolutely say whether Jesus Christ was raised from the dead or not. You can study a historical record and draw some provisional conclusions about whether this event happened or did not happen but conclusive evidence will not be obtainable. So if one is to be a Christian you must just accept this claim. One is asked to take that existential leap of faith and embrace Christianity. This seems to allow all claims of any religion the possibility of being true. If we are not able to confirm conclusively that the claims of Christianity are true than how are we exclude the claims of Islam, Scientology, Mormonism etc. So some the of the questions I think arise: Can you hold a rational belief in God or even the Christian God? If its not rational and based on foundational knowledge then are you comfortable with mystic belief? And if you hold a mystical belief about your particular religion how do claim your religious belief to be exclusively true and how do you discount other religious claims?

after the election

Just wondering how people felt about the results of elections. Democrats in the houses vs. Bush in the Whitehouse. Rummy got sacked. I am okay with this outcome. Gridlock is not such a bad thing in my opinion. I am not sure what is going to happen to the Republican party now. It seems likely that will continue down the road of abandoning the idea of small government hoping that that will increase their popularity. Pelosi seems to be trying to hide some of her extreme leftist positions in order to gain popularity. So its going to be pretty crowded in the middle of the road. I think that is going to leave some folks who lean libertarian and socialist a little unhappy. Anybody else want to give their thoughts? What would you like to see happen in the build up to 08?

hypocrite?

one of my favourite bands is u2. i haven't agreed with bono's politics for a while now but it still causes me some pain when something like this is written about him. http://www.slate.com/id/2152580/ the article on slate is about bono avoiding some taxes by moving some of his business out of the country. the hypocrisy is that bono is advocating for governments to give away taxpayer money to aid africa. he just doesn’t want to much of his tax money going there i guess so he and his band mates have moved some of their business to avoid higher taxes in ireland. of course i heard about this news story back in mid-summer because i am a u2 fanboy but it is just starting to get some play here in north america. the hypocrisy is interesting but the larger question is do you think its moral for governments to use your money for whatever charity they see fit or would you rather them take less of your money so that you can decide where to send your charitable dollars?

first post

i am not sure if this blog thing is going to work for me. i am not very good at sitting down and writing meaningful statements. i enjoy reading other peoples blogs and do occasionally post on them. when i do end up posting i am usually aiming to provoke rather than have polite discussions about whatever issue. so i thought i’d try this blog thing so i could pick the topics. i don’t care if you are polite in your responses or you would like to respond with a visceral attack. i guess we will see how this goes and if there is any interest in these topics.