No Gods, No Masters

Given:

P(1, 0, 1)

Q(-2, 1, 3)

R(4, 2, 5)

Find the area of PQR and the equation of the plane containing P, Q, & R

(1) Which one or couple of books do you believe makes the case for your side the best?

I already know most people's views here, but that's not my intention...

It's to share three questions I think should be posed if someone offers a Biblical reason not to allow same-sex couples equal marriage rights..

Without even getting into the marriage debate, ask the Christian these simple questions:

(1) What reason do we have to believe that the Bible should be used as a guide to anything, moral or otherwise?

(2) Given we live in a pluralistic, liberal society, explain to me how your specific religious conception of marriage (contrasted with people who confess your same faith, but disagree) is supposed to be legislated into law?

(3) As a Federal and State sanctioned legal contract, where one can obtain a marriage license without religious blessing, why is it somehow still a "religious institution," given that the State's involvement makes it a secular matter?

I'm looking for a decent introduction to the different metaethical views (realism vs. anti-realism).

All I can find are books written that push one view over others, which, though helpful, doesn't really satisfy what my intellect wants.

Atheists: Do you like this arguments?

Theists: How do you respond?

This argument claims that, given that God is defined classically, and therefore is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving, the existence of evil is logically inconsistent with such a being.

If God is all-knowing, he knows evil exists and could think of a way to do something about it; If God is all-powerful, he could do something about it; and finally, if God is all-good, he does not want evil to exist, especially if the term ‘all-good’ has any meaning whatsoever.

Given these three premises, it must be the case that this God does not exist or he is limited in some way. Neither solution is consistent with most definitions of God.

Does free will actually solve the problem? J.L. Mackie asks, “Why would a wholly good and omnipotent god give human beings –and also, perhaps angels—the freedom which they misused?”

As Richard La Croix points out:

“If God is the greatest possible good then if God had not created there would be nothing but the greatest possible good. And since God didn’t need to create at all, then the fact that he did create produced less than the greatest possible good. . . . Perhaps God could not, for some perfectly plausible reason, create a world without evil, but then it would seem that he ought not to have created at all. . . . Prior to creation God knew that if he created there would be evil, so being wholly good he ought not to have created.”

Atheists: Do you like this arguments?

Theists: How do you respond?

This argument claims that, given that God is defined classically, and therefore is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving, the existence of evil is logically inconsistent with such a being.

If God is all-knowing, he knows evil exists and could think of a way to do something about it; If God is all-powerful, he could do something about it; and finally, if God is all-good, he does not want evil to exist, especially if the term ‘all-good’ has any meaning whatsoever.

Given these three premises, it must be the case that this God does not exist or he is limited in some way. Neither solution is consistent with most definitions of God.

I was wondering if anyone had heard anything from anyone who had signed up to receive the TEACH Grant? The financial aid office at my college sent me an e-mail letting me know that I qualify, but I do not know if it would be worth the investment.

You must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private school (elementary or secondary) that serves low-income students. You must teach at least four academic years within eight years of completing your program. If you do not meet this requirement, your "grant" is then automatically converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, that you must pay back to the U.S. Department of Education at whatever rate they are charging. Interest will accrue from the date of original disbursement, not from your completion date.

What are your thoughts on the perceived connection between one's penis size and masculinity?

I can see larger penis size making sense in terms of functional design, but it's the societal views of penis size and how it equates to self-worth that interest me the most. Men with below average penis size are marginalized, while men with larger than average penises are seen as 'manlier'

I'm speaking strictly about societies views on penis size. If a man has a, say, 3-inch penis, he's ostracized and his "man-hood" is called into question. But, if a man has 9-inches on him, this somehow increases his status within the group.

I understand that penis size does not equate with outward appearance, but within our society, penis size seems to say something about the individual

I asked this earlier on a different page, and someone gave this response:

"It's not society valuing a man more because he has a large penis, it's society responding to the man's added confidence......"

But why is the man with the larger penis more confident? Due to societies view that penis size says something about you. Men with smaller penises have lower confidence because of the way others view him

What are your thoughts on the perceived connection between one's penis size and masculinity?

I can see larger penis size making sense in terms of functional design, but it's the societal views of penis size and how it equates to self-worth that interest me the most. Men with below average penis size are marginalized, while men with larger than average penises are seen as 'manlier'

This question goes out to atheists who say, "Well, just show me the evidence!" They ask theists to provide some evidence, then they'd be willing to at least accept, but not worship, the existence of a supernatural agency.

What evidence would convince you that an agency of this sort was real? This agency doesn't necessarily have to be the Christian God, though how about that one, too? I saw a picture floating around saying atheists just need evidence. As described above: Just show me the evidence!

But, would the evidence actually be convincing as to warrant belief? I believe it is PZ Myers that argues that no amount of evidence would be convincing since we'd always look for a natural, scientific explanation. To many, accepting something on poor evidence is intellectually dishonest. Most of us believe that you should have good reasons to accept a claim. My question is, what would you consider good evidence? This evidence would prove, conclusively, that a supernatural agency, though not necessarily the Judeo-Christian God, exists.

Wouldn't we always be searching for a scientific explanation for whatever evidence is given? When would the evidence actually warrant a justified belief change, especially when the evidence is proof of a supernatural deity?

Does anyone know if AP Philosophy courses are available anywhere? It seems to me to be a decent idea, since most colleges offer Philosophy as a general education course.

Thoughts?

How do I calculate the maximum velocity and maximum altitude with the given information?

We are launching a model rocket. The rocket flight is straight up and ignore aerodynamic drag.

Our hint was the calculation needs to be done in two parts, the powered flight and the non-powered (coasting flight) flight. For the powered flight, assume the mass of the rocket is constant.

Mass of rocket (grams): 23

Mass of engine (grams): 16.2

Mass of propellant (grams): 3.12

Average thrust (Newtons): 8

Burn Duration (seconds): .5

We have the answers, but I don't know how to manipulate the equations to get the desired answer.

Max Vel: 101.37 meters/sec

Max Alt: 549.621 meters

A) Metaphor, not literal

B) Annihilation

C) Traditional View

How much does grammatical skill and other such factors effect whether or not you take someone seriously?

This doesn't just pertain to religious discussion, but any discourse.

Theists,

How do you discriminate between mere metaphor and literal truth? The standards must be objective and not on a case-by-case basis.

Anyone find it funny to see Christians worried about a Mayan prediction? There seems to be a disconnect between these ideas...

I'm going to start working out again. For the first few weeks, I want to do some cardio, so running on the treadmill will be my main focus.

What are some fruits and vegetables I should eat before hand for a boost in energy and other nutrients that will help for my post-workout activities?

What could one do with a B.S. in Philosophy?

To do anything, would someone have to get at least a Masters or Doctorate?

What could one do with a B.S. in Philosophy?

To do anything, would someone have to get at least a Masters or Doctorate?

Do you believe Philosophy should be an optional AP course in high school?