Link to Part 1 of the Post
This is a two part post that will help you tackle reading comprehension passages better. This is the second part. You can find the first part of the post here.
6. Introspection
Introspection is the process of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It involves self-reflection and self-awareness, and can be used as a tool for personal growth and understanding. Through introspection, individuals can gain insight into their own motivations, beliefs, and behaviors, and can work to change negative patterns or improve their overall well-being. It can be practiced through meditation, journaling, or simply taking time to reflect on one's own experiences and reactions.
7. Theodicy
Theodicy is an attempt to answer the question of why there is evil and suffering in the world if there is a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good. It's a philosophical and theological concept that seeks to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in a loving and just God.
Theodicy tries to provide an explanation for why a good God would allow bad things to happen to people. Some theodicies argue that evil is a necessary consequence of human free will, while others suggest that it serves a greater purpose, such as testing and strengthening faith, or allowing for the growth of moral character.
Theodicy has been a topic of debate among philosophers and theologians for centuries, and there is no one definitive answer. However, the quest for understanding the problem of evil and suffering has led to important discussions about the nature of God, the meaning of life, and the nature of human existence.
8. Moral Relativism / Moral Absolutism
Moral relativism is the philosophical view that moral judgments are relative to culture, society, historical context, and personal beliefs. In other words, there are no objective or universal moral standards that apply to all people at all times. Rather, what is considered right or wrong is determined by the particular cultural or social context in which the individual is situated.
According to moral relativism, there is no absolute truth about what is morally right or wrong. Instead, morality is a matter of personal preference or cultural tradition. This means that what is considered morally acceptable in one culture or society may not be acceptable in another, and that there is no objective way to determine which view is correct.
Moral relativism can be contrasted with moral absolutism, which is the view that there are objective and universal moral standards that apply to all people at all times, regardless of cultural or social context.
9. Determinism / Indeterminism
Determinism is the philosophical view that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will of an individual. According to this view, every event is the inevitable result of preceding causes, and therefore, the future is entirely predetermined by the past. This means that free will is an illusion, and humans have no control over their actions.
Indeterminism, on the other hand, is the view that some events are not determined by previous causes, and therefore, the future is not entirely predetermined. This view holds that there are some events that occur without any cause or reason, or that some events are caused by chance or randomness. This means that free will is possible, and humans have some control over their actions.
The debate between determinism and indeterminism has implications for many fields such as philosophy, psychology, and physics. Philosophers have argued about the compatibility of free will and determinism, while psychologists have studied how the belief in determinism or indeterminism can affect human behavior. In physics, the debate centers on the nature of reality itself and whether the universe operates according to deterministic or indeterministic laws.
10. God is Dead
The concept of "God is Dead" is a central theme in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. According to Nietzsche, the traditional concept of God as an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving being who created the universe and governs it is no longer viable. He believed that the rise of science, rationalism, and secularism had led to the gradual erosion of traditional religious beliefs, making it impossible to sustain the idea of an all-powerful deity.
Nietzsche argued that the idea of God had become a kind of cultural fiction that no longer held any real significance for people. He believed that the death of God would have profound consequences for human society, as it would remove the basis for traditional morality and values. Nietzsche argued that without God, there could be no objective basis for morality or purpose in life. He saw this as both a threat and an opportunity for humanity, as it would force individuals to take responsibility for creating their own values and determining their own path in life.
The concept of "God is Dead" is often misunderstood as an attack on religion or belief in God. Instead, Nietzsche saw it as a necessary step in the evolution of human consciousness, which would allow individuals to break free from the constraints of tradition and create a new, more authentic way of life. Nietzsche believed that the death of God would eventually lead to a new era of human creativity, freedom, and self-realization.
