How far can we trust our senses?

In his Cave Analogy Plato compares empirical knowledge to imperfect flickering shadows. He argues that our physical senses cannot be trusted and reveal the truth to us.

More modern Materialists, such as Richard Dawkins, have more sympathy with Aristotle's view that it is only through scientific empirical evidence that we can know anything.

The BBC documentary Is Seeing Believing explores how our senses can be misled and manipulated and, also, why this may not necessarily be a bad thing.



To watch more from this programme click here.
For more on Plato's Cave Analogy click here.

Black History Month and Theology

One of the most well known figures in Black history is Martin Luther King, who campaigned for equality in the U. S. A. His Christian beliefs were an inspiration in his belief that all people should equal and also in his insistence on non-violent protest.

Another hugely important figure was William Wilberforce who campaigned for he abolition of the slave trade. Again he was inspired by theological concepts.

The opposition to inequality is founded in the Creation account of Genesis. God created a male and female human in His image (Imagio Dei), and gave humanity dominion over the rest of creation, not over fellow humans (Genesis 1:26–28). Galatians 3:28 explicitly teaches the fundamental equality of human beings, claiming that, 'all are one in Christ'.

These are good examples of how theological ideas can have a real, practical impact on the world.

View the black History Month website here.

Killing in the name of Justice

The first woman in 5 years is to be executed in the U.S. Does the fact that she is a woman make it significant? There are certainly far fewer women than men executed.

When considering issues such as the sanctity of life the death penalty is very contentious. Does anyone, even the state, have the right to take away the life of another person?

Few people would argue that many who are executed have committed terrible crimes and need to be kept away from the general population, but what is the purpose of the justice system?

If it is to seek revenge thenthe death penalty may well be acceptable, but if it is about justice - about making things right, can the death penalty do this?

To read more about this case click here.

Professor Keith Ward discussing Materialism and Idealism

Keith Ward: "Why There Almost Certainly Is a God: Doubting Dawkins from Metanexus Institute on Vimeo.

Keith Ward is seen here challenging the claims of Hard Materialists like Richard Dawkins, that the universe and everything in it is purely physical.

Some good notes regarding the body and soul argument can also be found here.

This would be particulalry useful for the Body and Soul module and anyone taking part in the A2 essay competition.

Near Death Experience - Proof that we have a soul?

Plato's Cave. A dated but useful re-telling of Plato's Cave Analogy.

The Case for God Part 1. Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sachs defends his faith against a number of atheists.