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THE IMPLICATIONS

In this section, I shall focus on what it means to think analytically.  But this, I mean our ability to break down a topic and then reconstruct it in such a way that it provides us with new perspectives on a phenomenon.  I am especially interested in statements that have this form:  “If I think this….then, this…..”

Our goal in reflecting on the topics below will be to consider the relationship between our conceptions of Hell and human behavior.  My basic proposition is that the way we define the world will have important implications for how we should act.  In the case our understandings of Hell:

1)  Does it matter whether there continue to be different conceptions of Hell in our society?

2)  How is our conception of Hell related to our moral options?

 

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PRONOUNCEMENTS AND THREATS:  “GO TO HELL . . . !”

21. Thursday, November 7.

Discussion: Does Hell Exist? If so, in what form? What do people think today?   What do these conceptions tell us about different views of human nature?

22. Tuesday, November 12

Discussion:  What is Human Nature and why should it matter for our understanding of moral behavior?  Dostoevsky challenges us to  think about what society needs to do–or should avoid–to ensure moral behavior.

  • An excerpt from Fyodr Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov Ivan Karamazov’s sobering thoughts on “Rebellion”: 236-263 (HAND-OUT)

Note:  No self-respecting Notre Dame student should graduate without reading The Brothers Karamazov in its entirety. The book will change the way you look at life.

23. Thursday, November 14

Film and Discussion: Stanley Milgram, “Obedience”

 

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Your second writing assignment is HERE

 

A WORLD WITHOUT HELL: “NO HELL BENEATH US . . .”

24. Tuesday, November 19.

Discussion: What is the connection between Hell and moral behavior? Do we need to believe in Hell to maintain a civilized society?  In this discussion, please think about the consequences of our view of human behavior for how we expect people to act.   Where does humanity learn to do the “right  thing”?

  • Jerry Walls: “Can we be Good without Hell?” PRINT AND READ
  • Belief in Hell and Criminality:  PRINT  AND  READ.  For background on this this fascinating research:  SCAN
  • Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize Speech:  PRINT AND READ
  • Richard Dawkins, “Religion’s real child abuse” PRINT AND READ
  • David Brooks, “The End of Philosophy” PRINT AND READ
  • Our Values Survey: An assessment of your findings about your personal beliefs.

25. Thursday, November 21.

Music from Hell:  It’s no surprise that there is a direct relationship between what musicians have to say about Hell and how they expect people to act.  How  many songs in the following genres invoke the concept of Hell?:  Metal, punk, heavy rock, existential rock, grunge, rap, the blues.  Comparatively speaking, how many invoke  the concept  of heaven?

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NOTE:  Please leave your technology at home. This includes electronic devices of any kind, such as laptops, i-Pads, cell phones, Kindles, x-Boxes, clouds, video cameras, or other personal digital devices.

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