Berry's theory of the power runs the risk of exchanging imagination with reality, as the following quotation suggests. "I don't see that scientists would suffer the loss of any skin from their noses by acknowledging the validity of the power of imaginative truths…(26)." The danger in this quotation and in Berry's thoughts on this subject lies in the oxymoron of "imaginative truths." There is nothing wrong with imagining things; but when one does so and then tries to present such imaginings as truth, he or she is doing little more than trying to pass of religious or scientific fundamentalism to the world at large. De Button, as well, illustrates the risk of becoming too involved in one's own personal introspection, as the following quotation, in which a Mr. De Maistre "travels" about his room by seeing routine objects as though they had some sort of novelty" readily indicates. "But thereafter De Maistre may be accused of losing sight of the overall purpose of his endeavor. He becomes mired in long and wearying digressions…"(61). Therein lies the risk involved with selective or imaginative sight -- it becomes (frequently) possible to lose sight of what's truly important, or to lose sight of an accurate assessment of reality. To that end, it becomes a very vivid possibility that in attempting to overturn one ideology, say, religious fundamentalism, it favor of a different approach (such as...
The following quotation from Berry alludes to this possibility as well, although the author may not have written this to prove so. "Our own country in only a few hundred years has suffered the loss of maybe half its arable topsoil, most of its original rain forest and prairie, much too much of its mineral wealth and underground water" (27). Although the author's opinion has colored his specific wording of these events, most of these occurrences are actual facts, that would be difficult for one to be aware of if he or she were engaged in such selective sight as that illustrated by this quote from de Button, in which De Maistre is lost in thought regarding his own surroundings, all the time. "I invite every man who can to get himself pink and white bedlinen…'" (61). Such assertions, and the luxury afforded by them, would certainly be distracting to the consideration of the global issues Berry has mentioned.
God in Genesis The nature and character of God, as found in the Bible and in human consciousness, is a widely disputed and contested field of debate. The reason for this is the very nature of God as ephemeral and unknowable. Human beings can surmise ideas from God from religious texts and their own experience. However, no human being can claim to know the true nature of God. This fact seems
God of the Old Testament displays many human images, many human emotions. Even though we are after all created in His image it still shocks one to read of an angry God or a vengeful God. God seems to play favorites often. We must keep in mind that the Bible was written by man. Man wrote of God in the only manner he could - in human terms. Moses wrote the
God and Creation Has the concept of God well and truly woven itself into the very psyche of the average American citizen? What exactly does the average American think about God? As a matter of fact, each and every American must take some time to sit back and think deeply about these issues, and also pay close attention to the power and influence of God in the history of America. Perhaps
Medea: Since Medea was born as the Princess of Colchis and the niece of Circe, she was a powerful sorceress. Medea fell in love with Jason through the little help she received from Hera when on his quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea helped Hera to steal the sacred artifact for her beloved and received abduction in return. Medea had numerous adventures in her life including murdering her brother to distract
God and Science The art of philosophy, demonstrated throughout history in all its arguments, present certain obstacles and contextual distortion for the state of humanity. There is no doubt it is worthwhile then, to examine some of the most troubling and difficult philosophical issues of the day. The idea of God and its role in humanity and its science will probably never be settled however the discussion itself helps create new
Nietzsche pressed humanity to realize that God is an invention of human creativity, and that we can no longer accept the idea of a divine being outside of ourselves. This was the center of his anthropocentric ideas. Feuerbach and Marx both held beliefs that agreed with Nietzsche (Jeff 19). Marx even referred to religion as the opium of the people. Kant's ideas of reason come back to haunt him
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