- What is your real name? Vanessa Rubalcava
- User name: rubalcava.vanessa
- What is your email address that you use for this class? rubalcava.vanessa@yahoo.com
- Can you please send me my final grade to my alternative email address? It's vanangel14@aol.com
- Name of website: My blog's
- Address for my website created on blogger.com is: http://noregrets29-myblogs.blogspot.com/
- Have you done all the reading for the first three weeks? Yes, I have done all the readings for the entire class
- Have you watched each of the films that were required? Yes, I have watched each of the films that were required.
- Please place here all of the postings you have done for this class (you can copy and paste them) They are as follows:
Week 3: THE SECRET OF FAQIR (post 5)
Week 3: To Be Agnostic (post 4)
Week 3: NICHOLAS OF CUSA film (post 3)
Week 3: Inner visions and running trains (post 2)
Week 2: Why I Am Not A Christian (post 1)
Week 2: John Maynard Smith and Evolution (post 5)...
Week 2: Should Skeptical Inquiry Be Applied to Rel...
Week 2: THE HIMALAYAN CONNECTION (post 3)
Week 2: A Field Guide to Critical Thinking (post 2...
Week 2:Winner of the OTTO AWARD: ELEVEN (post 1)
Week 1: Believer Skeptic (post 5)
Week 1: What is Cold Reading? (post 4)
Week 1: Bertrand Russell on Clear Thinking (post 3...
Week 1: THE PLEASURE OF FINDING THINGS OUT, Richar...
Week 1: Winner of the NUMINOUS AWARD: KARMA (post ...
11.) Why does Richard Dawkins consider religion a "virus" of the mind? Do you agree or disagree?Substantiate your view.
Because it is embedded in our minds like a virus and like we are all programmed to believe in a religion from such a young age. He talks about the virus in relation to a computer virus, and that all children are all innocent and susceptible to the virus. He ends his article by stating that viruses don't win all the time and that many children can grow up and know what they believe in without it being forced at them from nuns and all the contradictions that apply to every religion.
I agree with this to an extent because some religions force so much on it's people and if someone is questioning it's religious existence and faith than it is up to them to understand and grasp what religion is to them. People have opinions and I do believe that religions should be More understanding and not demeaning and negative towards people who turn on what they believed in in the first place. No one should be looked down upon for having second thoughts on their beliefs.
12.) Give an example of a "cargo cult" belief and critically analyze it from a scientific perspective? Hint:think of something that people believe in that lacks overwhelming evidence to support it.
An example of a "cargo cult" is a belief that is like believing in UFO'S or witches or any some sort of cray ideas. I believe that UFO's don't exist but that is part that we don't have evidence and support that is proof of their existence, yes i do believe that there is some sort of life out side of our planet but I' am not sure where they would exist and where it is septable for them to have life.
13.) How does one do "science" according to Richard Feynman. Why is this form of science so important to human beings? How can such a view of science help enrich one's appreciation for beauty? Be sure to give YOUR own example of Feynman's point (no "flowers" allowed).
He does science by research and understanding how things are and even by looking way beyond just the name of what he is studying. He was taught great when he was a child by his father and he is so smart in understanding how things are evolved to be what they are and the beauty behind them. This is so important to human beings because it looks deep into nature and what lies behind everything that exists among us here in life. Thus this science can help us all appreciate science and life's beauty because we can really look and appreciate and recognize all that lives here on Earth with us. I like how he lives and see's life's beauty just by having knowledge and an understanding of everything in his surroundings.
When we look around us and see what is there and not even that, but what it really is from the inside out that is when you really know about what you are studying and looking at. Life is beautiful and there is so much to life and Feynman really knows how to teach beauty, I liked his interview it really made sense. He talks about the names of birds, and growing up walking with his father in the woods and how his father told him the name of a bird in every language, but even after that he still doesn't know much about the bird at all just the birds name in every language, so his father taught him how to look deeply into what he's looking at and how to see a creature or a plant for what it really is and that is what makes it beautiful!
14.) Give your interpretation of the movie "Karma."
I liked this movie because I like how things will always come back and bite someone in the butt, when Karma hits them. The world has its way of working things out in the end. When the man was walking in the video with his briefcase and the other man ran and took it from his hand and kept running, but was then hit by an oncoming car that made me really see how it works. This video was really nicely put together and it always works out nicely in the end no matter what we just have to leave it up to the world to help us out and work things out for us.
Some times when people are wronged in their life by others they always say to themselves, "karma will come back, what goes around comes around." Based on this people really do believe in karma and fate. This video basically described how what one does to someone else that is wrong and horrible, it will come back to that person in some other form at a later time in their life's time and sometimes without really knowing that it came back to them in that form. Karma isn't fun for the person receiving it.
15.) Explain, in brief, Darwinian evolution and why John Maynard Smith's contribution is important in thinking differently about survival of the fittest.
John Maybard Smith's contribution is important in thinking differently about survival of the fittest because he talks about how things are evolved from the natural selection process and produced from it as well. He talks about he rejected his religion and became an agnostic/atheist because of this process and how things and behaviors are all formed from this process.
16.) What are Freeman Dyson's views on the "design" of the universe or the purpose of human kind?
That life can exist on a far away universe. He studied Quantum mechanisms describes and is clear and precise in mathematical terms about the universe itself, he wrote about this topic. Its alien he stated as our way of feeling and touching. He even believes that religion is a way of life and he is a christian without theology and feels that it is an art form. He feels that he may be agnostic at some point and that its a mystery all about God. He says its all beyond our minds. He believes that life is more about observance and not beliefs. He agrees that there is more than meets the eye in religion and that it has nothing to do with science. "Life doesn't make sense unless you believe in some purpose as for what individuals and communities feel and believe.
17.) What IS the "secret" that Faqir Chand discovered about religion and its founders?
The secret was that he felt that the real believer was us and the hero was us as well. The video showed pictures with, God, Jesus, Angels, Mother Theresa, and much more with the word "No" before it which meant that we are them all in ourselves and we are our own guides in life. It says that all we believe in are ingrained in us and that is why we are so set on our beliefs because we don't want to reject what was given to us in our faiths and beliefs.
This video made me question so much, but Chand even said that he doesn't know if his realizations are right or wrong, but they do make some sense to me because if we think about it we are the only ones in our life's that can make our own decisions and what we do when we do it. We have our self-conscious and it is like our helper in helping us make good decisions even though we don't always listen to our self-conscious, it is still there to help us make decisions all the time.
18.) Explain the movie Eleven and what is YOUR interpretation of it?In other words, what is the underlying message that the director is trying to convey?
The movie Eleven was a great eye opening video because it makes people think and realize that this type of punishment and revenge wasn't necessary. No one should be murdered at all it's not right and it's so terrible to have to hear these stories of innocent people's lives were taken because of mistakenly thinking they were Muslim because he wore a turban. After September 11th, many people who looked Middle Eastern were being attacked in the United States. It's so sad to believe that people exist out there that believe that this is ok and that murdering will solve there problems and goals to get rid of Muslims all over.
I believe that the director is trying to convey the idea and fact that people can't judge others just because the way they look and dress and represent themselves. These young men were so Innocent and never saw it coming until it was too late. These gangs aren't going to help get rid of the Muslims and they shouldn't be thinking that way anyways, I understand that they were upset and hurt because they lost someone in the terrorist attacks on September 11Th, but that is no excuse to kill and murder innocent people at all.
20.) What are Bertrand Russell's reasons for NOT being a Christian?Do you agree or disagree with him? GIVE RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR your position (pro or con).
His reasons for not being a Christian are that you have to believe in God and immortality. He states, He said that he isn't a Christian and gave two things that you would have to believe in to be called a Christian, "I think, however, that there are two different items which are quite essential to anybody calling himself a Christian. The first is one of a dogmatic nature -- namely, that you must believe in God and immortality. If you do not believe in those two things, I do not think that you can properly call yourself a Christian. " I agree with this because if you don't believe in what Christians believe in solemnly than you shouldn't freely call yourself a Christian.
He states, " I read John Stuart Mill's Autobiography, and I there found this sentence: "My father taught me that the question 'Who made me?' cannot be answered, since it immediately suggests the further question `Who made god?'" That very simple sentence showed me, as I still think, the fallacy in the argument of the First Cause." This is true because if there are so many questions as to religious beliefs in the Christian faith than how do we know what we are studying is true. Religion is a huge question to me, and there are so many questions as to why we are all existing all at the same time here on Earth. We will never fully have all the answers to our faiths, especially the one's as to how God was created" I believe that faith comes into play at that point of questioning when someone has faith in all than that is all that matters in the end. We can't have the capability of understanding the five questions of, who? what? where? when? and why? and even how? There are both pros and cons religious beliefs and everything that comes along with it! we just need faith!
21.) Give a summary of Jim Lett's field guide to critcal thinking (in your own "300" words, no more). Don't use quotes but write it like a letter
Jim Lett's starts out with saying the reasons why paranormal research is so popular and one of the reasons is, and how believing in the paranormal is such nonsense in itself. He also talks about how the polygraph is nonsense as well. He feels that we all believe in what we are told to believe in and we know what others only want us to know. He feels that this isn't fare and that we should all be able to argue against any topic at any point and time with proof otherwise. I believe that Lett's thinks that we all can't even think for ourselves and make up our own mind without someone interfering and changing our minds. He wants us to be stronger than that and stand up for what we feel otherwise and not be taken for a fool and be taken advantage of. He wants us to be more knowledgeable.
He wants us to be able to backfire at any claim that is given and stated to us or anyone and give our honest opinion and to not be afraid to stand up. We can look at claims and the evidence that was given to back the claim up and dig deep into it he even gives six simple rules and steps on how to keep our foot in the door while still standing up for something we feel the need to.
22.) Why does Kurtz believe that skepticism should be applied to religion? Do you agree or disagree?
He believes that skepticism should be applied to religion it states, "To what extent should we apply skepticism to religious claims?" I feel that no matter what people will always have opinions about religious beliefs and values no matter who they are and what background they come from.
I believe that there should be no limit as to what extent we should apply skepticism to religious claims because people should be allowed to talk freely about religion and their skepticism to it as well. I can agree and disagree because people should always be able to state their opinion and state how they feel about religion and their skepticism if so. I also feel that there is a limit as to not judging people because of what they believe in. If someone doesn't feel that they are a Christian for example and you are one I don't feel that there is a need to be mean and rude to the people who are disregarding that certain religion. There will always be people who don't get you and your beliefs, but that is there issue to deal with not yours. Skepticism is out there and it will never dissipate!
23.) Why is pretext, text, and context important in analyzing a book or an argument.
Because it emphasises the readers knowledge in critical thinking and understanding the way to quickly analyze what your reading. There will always be arguments and topics that people find intriguing and by that text, context, and pretext is important in learning how to divide a book up and sort through all it's important text and by doing so the context will help use elaborate and research what we can then argue against and take a side. You can even break down sentences in the book to the sentences topic sentence, point, example, and commentary. Therefore, by doing so you will be better able to form a relative argument against the books text, and the context of what the book is about and it's importance.
24.) What is a "transformative" UFO encounter and does the author of the Himalayan Connection really believe in UFOs as genuine extraterrestrials?
A transformative UFO encounter is what the article explained as, "A good example of this was presented on the ABC news show 20/20. In an attempt to explain how one young man had a close encounter of the third kind, it was shown that at the moment of his experience an underground vault emitted electrical currents of light that formed strange apparitions in the sky." He was struck with the light that had "invoked a temporary alteration in his brain and thus produced an hallucination." This makes much sense and I do believe that this can happen and it did for this young man, when experiencing something so painfully horrific like this I can see the recollection of it dissipating and they remember stuff that happened but maybe felt more like a bad dream to them.
Yes, the author does believe in UFOs as a genuine extraterrestrials and he argues his point through the article which I liked. I like learning about subjects that still need proof of existence but people are willing to study it and devote there time to finding out what is really going on in this world!
25.) How does one think more critically when using online sources?
One thinks more critically when using online sources because today's technology is rapidly growing stronger and evolving into a new world of itself the Internet has been a learning tool that gives data at the click of a button, and leads us to think about research and how to get to where we want to get to. There are so many search engines and tools to help one get the information that they desire. It teaches one cognitive skills and thinking in an online fashion. Many of us get education online nowadays and learning experiences all take a good critical thinker who can come up with new ways and form new knowledge for themselves. It takes both problem solving skills and critical thinking skills to obtain what we need online.
26.) What are Steven Weinberg's views on religion? Do you agree or disagree?
His views on religion is that he is an atheist and questions God and his existence. He believes that there is no possible proof of God's existence and he believes that there are no answers to our questions all about God. He isn't afraid to be able to tell it like it is and give all his opinions freely. He is very outspoken and wants to prove what he believes to be true about science and religion. I disagree, yes some people can go both ways in this argument but I do believe that there is some higher force that is God and that he was the creator of all things here on Earth. Faith is what comes into play here when dealing with the understanding that we will never have real answers to all our religious spiritual questions. Sometimes we just have to believe and let all our arguments and questions go. Now of course I'am not atheist so I have a different opinion, but that is what I feel to be my opinion.
27.) Why is Sam Harris an atheist? Explain his reasons. Can you argue against his views? If so, how?
Because he argues and talks about the conflict all between religion and science. He says that atheists don't know much about the universe and that the bible doesn't reflect our understanding as well. He doesn't feel that prayer can do much for the mind. There are always so much arguments about spirituality and ethical terms and Sam Harris discusses that Atheists are able to have spiritual values. They are scientific and a religion because they choose to doubt certain religions and are skeptical to other dogmas and religions. People all hold certain values and spiritual religions and that holds truth and meaning for them in their ife style, he feels that some people go overboard and take their religion too seriously and criticize others for feeling different that is why he is atheist, and how religion can danger societies it's a threat to them.
29.) Ken Miller argues against Michael Behe's notion of irreducible complexity and the notion of intelligent design in biology. Is he right? If so, explain. If not, give your reasons why not.
I agree with Ken's argument because he is believing that science is a proven fact and Michael is more on thetheory side of theoretical science. All of the stuff that Michael was referring to is all not proven in the science world. Ken is more pro science and is more understanding on what sceince really is. Behe thinks more under the theory of science and it all has no evidence to back up all of what he believes to be a science like astology and wica. I believe that Michael has a Faith based science approach to his method of science and research. I believe that Behe isn't correct in what he is saying, and people are listening to him just because he has a position and is well known. Everyone has opinions on what science really is and what the definition of science is but overall science is all prove facts and nothing about science is nonsense. For example, ken would find science to be when we can see the percipitation of oncoming clouds and the percentage of when it will be raining that is all proven facts. Michael Behe would call Indian's doing a rain dance because they are in a driyght and it just happens to rain a science when in reality it is just a coincidence, but that is what he wold believe to be a science.
31.) What constitutes a scientific education according to Huxley?
A scientific education according to Huxley is all about how important an education truly is and he wants all to know how important it is to the individual that is learning and receiving the proper education given to them. He talks about how there will always be a right and a wrong and no matter what you will come out if you just try and learn and get something out of education. It is better to do than not to ever have tried at all. People learn from their mistakes and become more wiser in that fact if they really take something out of the learning experience, and try. Knowledge is how he puts it into terms is what we get when we make mistakes. He says that things that interest us are pure science. He even states that mechanisms and osteology are regarded as purse science as well as geometry.
32.) Why is the book BELIEVER-SKEPTIC so critical of Ken Wilber and this thinking? Be specific in your answers
The book is so critical of Ken Wilber and his thinking because he is overly into exaggerations and it doesn't help his work much because he exaggerates all about it also talks about the "fundamental weakness" that is seen in Wilber's work and all about the trans personal psychology movement. Wilber is respected and looked greatly upon for many reasons, but his work is all about how he also has much spiritual exaggerations as well. He is all "hyped" up all on things which are not knowable just yet and that is no proof for his writings and all of his work.
And it is here that all of his exaggerations don't convey all of what he is trying to tell the readers and his fans. Possibly Wilber doesn't do all of this intentionally which messes up his work because it goes all into trans personal psychology as science and all things that can't prove anything possible.
33.) Give a review and an reaction to the three magazines that you read listed above.
Believer Skeptic: This magazine was very fun to read and interesting to me because it talks about visions and coming face to face with seeing something from the other side. It goes on to talk about image produced characters that are what "we read, see, smell, and believe." It's all in the imagination and what we form in our minds and project out into the world around us. Then there are images that "are more or less reflections of what appears relatively stable and permanent in the here and now." This is different in the way that we can show our emotions and feelings differently than how we show it with other things that are real in our life's. Like in the magazine it talks about how you can talk about one thing and not have an exact reason and solution as to how it can be proof as to how it exists and works, like the love of Jesus and how it is an endless debate and argument. It also states, "How does one know that inner vision is "real?" Therefore, I believe that one's inner vision can be real because they allow it to be to them as individuals, if you see something you will first deny it, but in the end accept it and believe it. It lies within you! I like learning about what is real and what is just all illusions.
Adventures in the Paranormal: This article talks about Indian astrologers. I like astrology and how it came about. It is crazy how it even exists and what it means and what it tells each and everyone of us is about ourselves is pretty facinating. The Hindu manuscripts date back to 400 to 500 years ago, and I can't believe that it still exists and the origional copy is still out there for people all over to study it and examine it and interpret it in all languages for everyone to understand. This all dealt back to Hindu mythology. Many people areskeptical towards this evolution of Hindu mythology and astrology. They even drew picture graphs which I find very cool andit seems so interesting as to how the idea came about and how it manifested into what it is now.
Bertrand Russell's Mysticism and Logic: This article talks about the conflict and struggle between mysticism and science. I like mysticism in my opinion because it is more open and sheds light on whatever the imagination wants it to see. I believe that the two can co-exist at the same time, just as anything can co-exist at the same time no matter what they are. It goes on to talk about the two philosophers Heraclitus and Plato and how these two categories fit in with them. Plato was more mythical and Heraclitus was all about science. Mythical realms are much more facinating because it precieves new days and new ways to look at things from a mythical perspective and how he saw the universe. These two philosophers used both science and mysticism to live there life's and to write all about there experiences and facinations.
DOUBLE EXTRA CREDIT:Give a 200 word interpretation of the required movie, Nicholas of Cusa. What do you think it actually means?
This video at first was very confusing and I didn't really understand how to interpret it into my own opinion. I like watching videos like this though, because it really makes me think aloud and try and figure out what it is trying to tell me. The thing about videos that are so abstract like Nicolas of Cusa is that it can reach out to any person watching it and pull a meaning out of it that means something special to them in general. The statement that the video started with is as follows, "The Unattainable is attained by its unattainment." This at first was confusing up until the video showed a simple boat shaped kite hovering up in the blue skies! It was relaxing to watch and at the same time it was a little too much to pin point just one opinion about it. I believe that the kite symbolizes freedom and equal rights. The kite can also symbolize ambition, goals, life, free will, energy, happiness, loneliness, adventure and so much more it just truly depends on who is watching the video. To me when i finished the video it reminded me of childhood memories and going out with my dad and learning how to fly my first kite. It made me remember being so small and the world was so big at the time.
The video then ended with the statement, "Man's last and highest parting occurs when, for God's sake, he takes leave of God." Which means that when we pass on we leave this big world behind but we take so much with us. It can be interpreted in so many ways, it also makes me wonder about all of life and our existence and what our goals are and dreams are. Life is short and I feel that if we truly embrace life and live to the fullest we are flying freely and happily like the kite was. It just went with the wind and embraced it and let it take over. That is how we all should live our lifes from now on, we should just embrace every bit of it and not let go, we need to soar high above all of our fears and obsessions.
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