My friends don't blog enough. It seems like the only way I can sort of keep up with people is by their facebook status but really I like reading my friend's paragraphs. Growing up means we do not have the same amount of time to invest in each other and I miss the specialness of my friend's personalities. Each of them has a certain flavor that is distinctive and says "this is me."
Reading blogs is, for me, second best to spending several hours sitting in a coffee shop talking about nothing or everything. Actually reading blogs is third after lengthy involved correspondences... which it seems only I am the least bit capable of.
But so it is. I know who my friends are and time can only diminish that to a certain point. I am lucky to have so many good friends to miss and fortunate to know we are going to be important to each other even if we never spend as much time as we did in our twenties.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Car Troubles
About a month ago I had attempted to go to the beach on a beautiful but hot summer day. Half way there Victoria (my car) started to over heat. It has had some overheating issues in past summers, especially if it sat idle after a long drives. I described it on Facebook and there was a general consensus that it was probably just my car being out of water and it was not that big of a deal. The next day there was no problem and no problem since then... though I never attempted anything like the Santa Cruz mountains.
Well Jem had an excellent (wonderfully planned) trip for the family to Felton. The feature was the Singing Saw Festival but really it was just an excuse to hang out with family and some of Jemuel's friends. The morning before Gramps expressed concern that maybe Victoria couldn't make a trip like that. I didn't think it would be an issue. I had made sure the fluids were fit and didn't expect any problems.
On the trip up Victoria started t overheat and by the time we got to the festival all of the water was out of the engine. I felt prepared. I refilled the fluids but she never stopped running hot. We drove slow up the mountain but she never stopped running hot. It was just me and my buddy Greg. We took a break in Los Gatos watched the second quarter of the Hall of Fame preseason game and checked the radiator fluids again.
We got maybe a couple of miles but she still ran hot. But the heat gage went way higher than it had ever gone before. I got scared so I got off the freeway and called for a tow truck.
Mike came to pick me up after Victoria was towed to a AAA auto shop and I went home.
Now I don't know that much about engines, if it is serious or expensive. My financial aid check should be in the mail any day now (I've been saying for seven days) but though I do struggle with fears and concerns I know that my life belongs to God and that He has wonderful, amazing, great, beyond belief plans for my life. I don't know if those plans include Victoria much longer... though I don't think the car problems are THAT serious, it is just that as important it was for me to be responsible enough to pay for a whole car loan my life is not measured that way.
I have and can again live riding a bike. I don't know how that will work when school starts up again but again my life iss not measured by the Credential Program either... though I will be begging, borrowing (not stealing) to make that work. The main point of my life, what I will be measure by is Christ's love for me. That is something I can rest secure with... though I'd like to drive Victoria for several more years.
Well Jem had an excellent (wonderfully planned) trip for the family to Felton. The feature was the Singing Saw Festival but really it was just an excuse to hang out with family and some of Jemuel's friends. The morning before Gramps expressed concern that maybe Victoria couldn't make a trip like that. I didn't think it would be an issue. I had made sure the fluids were fit and didn't expect any problems.
On the trip up Victoria started t overheat and by the time we got to the festival all of the water was out of the engine. I felt prepared. I refilled the fluids but she never stopped running hot. We drove slow up the mountain but she never stopped running hot. It was just me and my buddy Greg. We took a break in Los Gatos watched the second quarter of the Hall of Fame preseason game and checked the radiator fluids again.
We got maybe a couple of miles but she still ran hot. But the heat gage went way higher than it had ever gone before. I got scared so I got off the freeway and called for a tow truck.
Mike came to pick me up after Victoria was towed to a AAA auto shop and I went home.
Now I don't know that much about engines, if it is serious or expensive. My financial aid check should be in the mail any day now (I've been saying for seven days) but though I do struggle with fears and concerns I know that my life belongs to God and that He has wonderful, amazing, great, beyond belief plans for my life. I don't know if those plans include Victoria much longer... though I don't think the car problems are THAT serious, it is just that as important it was for me to be responsible enough to pay for a whole car loan my life is not measured that way.
I have and can again live riding a bike. I don't know how that will work when school starts up again but again my life iss not measured by the Credential Program either... though I will be begging, borrowing (not stealing) to make that work. The main point of my life, what I will be measure by is Christ's love for me. That is something I can rest secure with... though I'd like to drive Victoria for several more years.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
full kant paper
Godly Philosophy
Michael Gardner
Solomon wrote that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Socrates said that his wisdom was to know he was not wise. It seems that Kant would say “by the proper application of reason I am wise.”Perhaps he could defend this break from the ancients by saying his enlightenment is the result of a mature wisdom. Still, for the individual in Kant’s path there is no place for humility except for the shameful self-incurred variety. This self-incurred humility either occurs in the individual who will not “boldly, dare to know” or else in the priest who, as a hired man, instructs others in the most difficult and costly life choices which he may or may not believe. Other than in the sad cases of cowardice and hypocrisy, no individual acknowledges anything superior to their own individual human reason. Rather each thinking man is lord over his own mind and looks to no other for wisdom.
Kant’s paradigm recognizes the possibility for error in reason but this is to be solved by free public discourse, which is of course just the massive application of individual human reason. It is only by this Darwinian environment of ideas that a subject of thought can become mature. This supposes that the great tragedies, the great follies and great evils of human history occurred because of a lack of applying human reason rather than through the relentless and reoccurring application of that human reason to tragic, foolish and unabashedly wicked ends. If human reason were naturally as trustworthy and noble as Kant supposes one would wonder how in human history it had been unnaturally subjugated so that the majority in Kant’s day preferred self-incurred ignorance. Either some humans used their reason to subjugate others and were near universally able to do so against other humans capable of reason or else some evil genius interfered with human’s reason so that the majority became clouded by ignorance. In either case Kant’s theory supposes that for no stated reason the subjugating humans will now no longer be successful or else that evil genius has for no stated reason ceased to cloud human reason. Kant’s paradigm supposes that in his day and age reason could rule when in past times it could not.
Biblical Christianity recognizes that human reason is intended as one of the greatest blessings from God. It should be strengthened, protected and encouraged in all people, just like we should all seek, protect and encourage physical or financial or social health in ourselves and other. But none of these obvious goods ought to be elevated or trusted with supremacy. We live in a world which corrupted by sin; our reason, body, world and society is infected with a changeable untrustworthiness. Scripture points out that in a man’s heart his own way almost always seems good, even when it leads to destruction. The mind can deceive itself and has a limit to how much truth it will accept. But even if the world were not corrupted, as it once was not, reason would not be meant to be the supreme judge of right and wrong. Reason is not meant to be our god.
What is more there are some issues which reason, even a sinless reason cannot answer but even in theory could only be answered by trust in God (faith). Suppose I have been promised by the God that I need not worry but all of my life will be redeemed by His righteousness. Reason can only judge what is evident and at hand. In the front of what by all evidence appears to be total annihilation reason would demand the failure of that promise. By definition, reason cannot trust beyond what it apprehends. So in the absence of loved ones, in grave danger and death reason can only respond with grief, terror and despair. But experience has shown us in many forms, great and small, that reason has shown itself false and faith, which responded with trust, courage and hope, has proved correct.
This raises the question why do I study the methods of reason and seek to teach others to do the same. The answer may not be pleasing to the rationalist paradigm which I acknowledge as common wisdom, but my answer is that I am following God. It seems God wills not only that we trust his promises but also that we begin to understand His will. Reason serves in this endeavor. His message does not depend upon reason but it is can be known by reason. Therefore a strong mind, capable of discussing abstracts, discovering error, asking questions and understanding answers, is a good thing and to be desired for all people. What is more that Kant’s model of a society of free exchange of ideas is also desirable because reason in its proper place, beneath God, is a good thing.
Michael Gardner
Solomon wrote that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Socrates said that his wisdom was to know he was not wise. It seems that Kant would say “by the proper application of reason I am wise.”Perhaps he could defend this break from the ancients by saying his enlightenment is the result of a mature wisdom. Still, for the individual in Kant’s path there is no place for humility except for the shameful self-incurred variety. This self-incurred humility either occurs in the individual who will not “boldly, dare to know” or else in the priest who, as a hired man, instructs others in the most difficult and costly life choices which he may or may not believe. Other than in the sad cases of cowardice and hypocrisy, no individual acknowledges anything superior to their own individual human reason. Rather each thinking man is lord over his own mind and looks to no other for wisdom.
Kant’s paradigm recognizes the possibility for error in reason but this is to be solved by free public discourse, which is of course just the massive application of individual human reason. It is only by this Darwinian environment of ideas that a subject of thought can become mature. This supposes that the great tragedies, the great follies and great evils of human history occurred because of a lack of applying human reason rather than through the relentless and reoccurring application of that human reason to tragic, foolish and unabashedly wicked ends. If human reason were naturally as trustworthy and noble as Kant supposes one would wonder how in human history it had been unnaturally subjugated so that the majority in Kant’s day preferred self-incurred ignorance. Either some humans used their reason to subjugate others and were near universally able to do so against other humans capable of reason or else some evil genius interfered with human’s reason so that the majority became clouded by ignorance. In either case Kant’s theory supposes that for no stated reason the subjugating humans will now no longer be successful or else that evil genius has for no stated reason ceased to cloud human reason. Kant’s paradigm supposes that in his day and age reason could rule when in past times it could not.
Biblical Christianity recognizes that human reason is intended as one of the greatest blessings from God. It should be strengthened, protected and encouraged in all people, just like we should all seek, protect and encourage physical or financial or social health in ourselves and other. But none of these obvious goods ought to be elevated or trusted with supremacy. We live in a world which corrupted by sin; our reason, body, world and society is infected with a changeable untrustworthiness. Scripture points out that in a man’s heart his own way almost always seems good, even when it leads to destruction. The mind can deceive itself and has a limit to how much truth it will accept. But even if the world were not corrupted, as it once was not, reason would not be meant to be the supreme judge of right and wrong. Reason is not meant to be our god.
What is more there are some issues which reason, even a sinless reason cannot answer but even in theory could only be answered by trust in God (faith). Suppose I have been promised by the God that I need not worry but all of my life will be redeemed by His righteousness. Reason can only judge what is evident and at hand. In the front of what by all evidence appears to be total annihilation reason would demand the failure of that promise. By definition, reason cannot trust beyond what it apprehends. So in the absence of loved ones, in grave danger and death reason can only respond with grief, terror and despair. But experience has shown us in many forms, great and small, that reason has shown itself false and faith, which responded with trust, courage and hope, has proved correct.
This raises the question why do I study the methods of reason and seek to teach others to do the same. The answer may not be pleasing to the rationalist paradigm which I acknowledge as common wisdom, but my answer is that I am following God. It seems God wills not only that we trust his promises but also that we begin to understand His will. Reason serves in this endeavor. His message does not depend upon reason but it is can be known by reason. Therefore a strong mind, capable of discussing abstracts, discovering error, asking questions and understanding answers, is a good thing and to be desired for all people. What is more that Kant’s model of a society of free exchange of ideas is also desirable because reason in its proper place, beneath God, is a good thing.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Cristian Critism of "The Wrestler"
Note: Plenty of spoilers. I recommend you not read this if you think you might see "The Wrestler." If you are sensitive to nudity in movies, read the blog and do not watch the movie.
I watched "The Wrestler" last night. The movie advertised itself as "deeply affecting" and this was true. It started much like a documentary, simply chronicling the sad state of the wrestler. But the first half of the movie did not create much sympathy in me. It would suck to have been a famous wrestler then to be reduced to playing in small events but it seemed honest work. Randy the Ram was a part of a community that liked and respected him, it would matter to much to me that he no longer was a super star.
The strip club scenes were perhaps gratuitous but the director did an excellent job of making the Pam character a female equivalent of Randy. I would not wish Pam a better stripping career but can sympathize with the feeling of helplessness associated with aging and not being able to perform. My sympathy for Pam bridged to a sympathy to Randy. It was also touching to see that Pam and Randy did share a sincere friendship.
Yet, it was Randy's relationship with Stephanie, his estranged daughter, that was "deeply affecting." Absentee fatherhood is a serious American issue and the damage it does was very well represented. Understanding how it would change someone's life to be able to love and be loved by a long lost father broke my heart with caring and hope. I could also hope that the movie would not end in failure because Randy seemed too worn out and used up to screw it up... which did not end up being the case.
Jonathon pointed that Randy failed because "he could not give up his 80's rock and roll lifestyle." There is some truth to that and a night of sin did put him in a situation to fail his daughter when she was started to trust him. But that is not why Randy was destroyed. It was not sin that was his destruction but a lack of faith. When his daughter expelled him for his failure Randy was offered another saving grace in Pam but he refused to believe that there was a saving love outside of the ring.
The troubling part of Randy's decision is that there is a fair chance that he would have survived the match. He could have lived, lost Pam and Stephanie and gone back to his trailer alone. Really from an eternal perspective it didn't matter if he died in the ring or a month or decade later. Anytime left living without faith in the grace given him would have been the front porch of hell. Of course if he lived there is always a chance for him to receive grace but the film as a time-line did represent how a person could choose their own damnation.
My heart goes out to Stephanie because she too refused to believe in the grace given her. If she could have forgiven her father, endured through the hurt she could have saved her father and herself, too. The consequences of her refusal, though understandable, went beyond simply her life.
Less meaningful comments:
I loved the ridiculous nature of the wrestling: the bad guy begging, arguing with the ref. It was very silly.
Who in the heck is Micky Rourke?
I watched "The Wrestler" last night. The movie advertised itself as "deeply affecting" and this was true. It started much like a documentary, simply chronicling the sad state of the wrestler. But the first half of the movie did not create much sympathy in me. It would suck to have been a famous wrestler then to be reduced to playing in small events but it seemed honest work. Randy the Ram was a part of a community that liked and respected him, it would matter to much to me that he no longer was a super star.
The strip club scenes were perhaps gratuitous but the director did an excellent job of making the Pam character a female equivalent of Randy. I would not wish Pam a better stripping career but can sympathize with the feeling of helplessness associated with aging and not being able to perform. My sympathy for Pam bridged to a sympathy to Randy. It was also touching to see that Pam and Randy did share a sincere friendship.
Yet, it was Randy's relationship with Stephanie, his estranged daughter, that was "deeply affecting." Absentee fatherhood is a serious American issue and the damage it does was very well represented. Understanding how it would change someone's life to be able to love and be loved by a long lost father broke my heart with caring and hope. I could also hope that the movie would not end in failure because Randy seemed too worn out and used up to screw it up... which did not end up being the case.
Jonathon pointed that Randy failed because "he could not give up his 80's rock and roll lifestyle." There is some truth to that and a night of sin did put him in a situation to fail his daughter when she was started to trust him. But that is not why Randy was destroyed. It was not sin that was his destruction but a lack of faith. When his daughter expelled him for his failure Randy was offered another saving grace in Pam but he refused to believe that there was a saving love outside of the ring.
The troubling part of Randy's decision is that there is a fair chance that he would have survived the match. He could have lived, lost Pam and Stephanie and gone back to his trailer alone. Really from an eternal perspective it didn't matter if he died in the ring or a month or decade later. Anytime left living without faith in the grace given him would have been the front porch of hell. Of course if he lived there is always a chance for him to receive grace but the film as a time-line did represent how a person could choose their own damnation.
My heart goes out to Stephanie because she too refused to believe in the grace given her. If she could have forgiven her father, endured through the hurt she could have saved her father and herself, too. The consequences of her refusal, though understandable, went beyond simply her life.
Less meaningful comments:
I loved the ridiculous nature of the wrestling: the bad guy begging, arguing with the ref. It was very silly.
Who in the heck is Micky Rourke?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
1st Half of Kant Paper
Solomon wrote that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Socrates said that his wisdom was to know he was not wise. It seems that Kant would say “by the proper application of reason I am wise.”Perhaps he could defend this break from the ancients by saying his enlightenment is the result of a mature wisdom still for the individual in Kant’s path there is no place for humility except for the shameful self-incurred variety. This self-incurred humility either occurs in the individual who will not “boldly” “dare to know” or else in the priest who, as a hired man, instructs others in the most difficult and costly life choices which he may or may not believe. Other than in the sad cases of cowardice or hypocrisy, no individual acknowledges anything superior to their own individual human reason. Rather each thinking man is lord over his own mind and looks to no other for wisdom.
Kant’s paradigm recognizes the possibility for error in reason but this is to be solved by free public discourse, which is of course just the massive application of individual human reason. It is only by this Darwinian environment of ideas that a subject of thought can become mature. This supposes that the great tragedies, the great follies and great evils of human history occurred because of a lack of applying human reason rather than through the relentless and reoccurring application of that human reason to tragic, foolish and unabashedly wicked ends. If human reason were naturally as trustworthy and noble as Kant supposes one would wonder how in human history it had been unnaturally subjugated so that the majority in Kant’s day preferred self-incurred ignorance. Either some humans used their reason to subjugate others and were near universally able to do so against other humans capable of reason or else some evil genius interfered with human’s reason so that the majority became clouded by ignorance. In either case Kant’s theory supposes that for no stated reason the subjugating humans will now no longer be successful or else that evil genius has for no stated reason ceased to cloud human reason.
Considering these reservations against the infallibility of human reason it becomes necessary to explain why I study philosophy and am pursuing a career in education, which is primarily about strengthening
...
Kant’s paradigm recognizes the possibility for error in reason but this is to be solved by free public discourse, which is of course just the massive application of individual human reason. It is only by this Darwinian environment of ideas that a subject of thought can become mature. This supposes that the great tragedies, the great follies and great evils of human history occurred because of a lack of applying human reason rather than through the relentless and reoccurring application of that human reason to tragic, foolish and unabashedly wicked ends. If human reason were naturally as trustworthy and noble as Kant supposes one would wonder how in human history it had been unnaturally subjugated so that the majority in Kant’s day preferred self-incurred ignorance. Either some humans used their reason to subjugate others and were near universally able to do so against other humans capable of reason or else some evil genius interfered with human’s reason so that the majority became clouded by ignorance. In either case Kant’s theory supposes that for no stated reason the subjugating humans will now no longer be successful or else that evil genius has for no stated reason ceased to cloud human reason.
Considering these reservations against the infallibility of human reason it becomes necessary to explain why I study philosophy and am pursuing a career in education, which is primarily about strengthening
...
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