Monthly Archives: July 2008
Kites without Strings
Two Paradigms 4: Agency and Freedom Nathan Richardson In a previous post, “What Makes Me a ‘Me’?” I described two conflicting assumptions about the nature of self in psychology. The first paradigm, Self-interest, assumes that selfhood requires separation from other … Continue reading
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Hellenized Christianity
Two Ancient Worldviews Part Three Jeffrey Thayne This post and Friday’s post may appear extremely oversimplified to some philosophers or historians. The actual history of events and ideas is much more complex and nuanced than what I present here; therefore, … Continue reading
Filed under Gospel, Philosophy
“I Can’t See You When I’m Touching You”
Two Paradigms 3: Ways of Knowing Nathan Richardson In a previous post, “What Makes Me a ‘Me’?” I described two conflicting assumptions about the nature of self in psychology. The first paradigm, Self-interest, assumes that we are entirely separate and … Continue reading
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Dynamic and Active Being
Two Ancient Worldviews Part Two Jeff Thayne In my last post, “The Greek and Hebrew Intellectual Traditions,” I discussed how the ancestor of our worldview, the philosophy of the ancient Greeks, held that fundamental reality was ultimately unchanging. They believed … Continue reading
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What Makes Me a “Me”?
Two Paradigms 2: The Nature of Self Nathan Richardson In a previous post, “There Are No One-ended Sticks,” I quoted Gerald N. Lund saying, “Our metaphysics (our view of reality) influences our epistemology (the way we gain knowledge), and together … Continue reading
Filed under Gospel, Philosophy
Announcement: 19 July 2008
We love writing for this blog, and we love hearing from our readers. Keep the comments coming! As you know, a valuable resource on this site is a list of well-written, well-researched books and articles that may provide valuable insights … Continue reading
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The Greek and Hebrew Intellectual Traditions
Two Ancient Worldviews Part One Jeffrey Thayne We live in a very different intellectual climate than those who wrote the scriptures. Our philosophy and our academic climate was inherited to us from the Greeks; even our concept of truth “originates … Continue reading
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Theocracy and the Millennial Reign
Jeffrey Thayne The dictionary defines theocracy as “a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.”1 That is, a theocracy is a government that claims to have authority from God. However, our modern experience with governments led exclusively by … Continue reading
Filed under Government, Law, Philosophy
More “Self-evident” Premises of Science
Nathan Richardson In a previous post, “‘Self-evident’ Premises of Science,” I cited six premises listed in the opening essay of the BYU physical science textbook. The authors explain, “All reasoning must rest upon assumptions, and the scientific method … assumes … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Science
Monarchy and Apostasy
Jeffrey Thayne We have established in previous posts that governments need authority from God to govern. In the absence of a divinely appointed ruler, the only legitimate governments are those that are set up by the people with limited powers. … Continue reading
Filed under Government, Law, Philosophy, Politics
Democracy and Ultimate Sovereignty
Jeffrey Thayne In my previous two posts (“John Locke and Primal Authority” and “Government by the People“), I have claimed that God is the origin of all legitimate political power. A person may be appointed by God to rule on … Continue reading
Filed under Government, Law, Philosophy, Politics
Government by the People
Jeffrey Thayne In my post “John Locke and Primal Authority,” I quoted Joseph Fielding Smith and John Locke, who both claimed that no person on the earth has any authority to rule over other people except that which is given … Continue reading
Filed under Government, Law, Philosophy, Politics
Jeff Thayne
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