For those that would like to hear a full-bodied and blunt discussion about governance and foreign aid in Africa please go to: Cato Institute's Panel Discussion on Causes and Solutions to Underdevelopment in Africa
Also there are good podcasts offered through ITunes that cover African politics. I recommend subscribing to "This Week in Africa" from the BBC World Service and "Africa Past and Present."
Happy (free) listening.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Student Post: Kaganzi Lester
KAGANZI LESTER
LAW AND CHRISTIAN POLTICAL THOUGHT
Wednesday 04/02/2009
QN: Do you agree with the use of Aristotelian thought by Christian philosophers? Are there any advantages or disadvantages that you can discern based on your readings?
Yes I agree with the use of Aristotelian thought by Christian philosophers. I particularly find that, Aristotle’s regard for the world as made up of individuals occurring in fixed natural kinds; each with an in-built specific pattern of development and growth towards proper self-realization as a true specimen of its type, ties in befittingly well with the Christian doctrine of intelligent design thus by implication making proof of an all powerful, all knowing, loving and limitless Christian God, a mere logical conclusion.
The notion of causality, as introduced by Aristotle demands for a balance between the empirical claims based on observation and sense experience, and formalism based on rational deduction. This appropriately balanced position strengthens the Christian doctrine of higher purpose and scriptural claims like, `all creation is ordered for the sole reason of worship of God. In this empirical climate, ideas like these are guaranteed to flourish as opposed to formalism.
I also particularly like and agree with the position of Aristotle when he contends that the “four causes” of; `matter cause’, ` efficient cause’, `formal cause’, and `final cause’; provide for better understanding of nature, man and everything around us. This approach of appreciation of nature, coupled with the pursuit of virtue, together with causality, provide a very realistic and inspirational grounding of thought which is by far more compatible with Christian doctrines of God’s purpose for man before and after the fall, right through the patriarchs and all the way to Jesus Christ and how he is the center of all scripture.
I would also like to point out the Aristotelian thought of the community or polis being greater than the individual as going a long way in fostering sacrifice, servant leadership and the idea of a higher calling; all of which are central to Christianity.
It is therefore no wonder that Aquinas managed to marry the two, Aristotelian thought and Christian doctrine, thereby fulfilling his teacher’s prophecy of “the ox will fill the world with his bellowing”. Even exceedingly so!
In my opinion Aristotelian thought is by far the most practical and thus more real philosophy on offer at the time, and that being so, semi-detached Augustinian philosophies really had no chance against it. And they befittingly were cast aside.
I think that Christian doctrines are more profoundly evident when examined empirically, thus a theme like all nature and the universe is created by one supreme being are evidenced by the obvious intelligent design and causality ripple effect. Other themes like the struggle for moral virtue cut across the two sides.
However Aristotelian thought imports certain weaknesses into the Christian philosophy; an example being the blatant ignoring of the creation story and the obvious disparities in the existence of other communities other than Adam’s descendants, which have haunted the church for long and this can partly be blamed on Aristotle’s ignoring of the subject.
I find Aristotle’s thoughts apologetic in nature when introduced in the religious sphere by Aquinas, to the extent that the Christian faith is viewed very suspiciously by other faiths.
Ideas like the sanction of slavery, dominion and killing a tyrant leader as solutions to the various relevant problems is not Christian-like and thus is a deviation from Christian doctrines and problematic at best.
Lastly I will point out that admitting inequality as natural is at variance with Christian philosophy.
In conclusion therefore, I would like to emphasize that the weaknesses notwithstanding, Aristotelian thought is by far the best philosophy for Christian philosophers as evidenced by the influence and popularity of Aquinas as one who excelled by integrating the two sides and succeeding at that.
LAW AND CHRISTIAN POLTICAL THOUGHT
Wednesday 04/02/2009
QN: Do you agree with the use of Aristotelian thought by Christian philosophers? Are there any advantages or disadvantages that you can discern based on your readings?
Yes I agree with the use of Aristotelian thought by Christian philosophers. I particularly find that, Aristotle’s regard for the world as made up of individuals occurring in fixed natural kinds; each with an in-built specific pattern of development and growth towards proper self-realization as a true specimen of its type, ties in befittingly well with the Christian doctrine of intelligent design thus by implication making proof of an all powerful, all knowing, loving and limitless Christian God, a mere logical conclusion.
The notion of causality, as introduced by Aristotle demands for a balance between the empirical claims based on observation and sense experience, and formalism based on rational deduction. This appropriately balanced position strengthens the Christian doctrine of higher purpose and scriptural claims like, `all creation is ordered for the sole reason of worship of God. In this empirical climate, ideas like these are guaranteed to flourish as opposed to formalism.
I also particularly like and agree with the position of Aristotle when he contends that the “four causes” of; `matter cause’, ` efficient cause’, `formal cause’, and `final cause’; provide for better understanding of nature, man and everything around us. This approach of appreciation of nature, coupled with the pursuit of virtue, together with causality, provide a very realistic and inspirational grounding of thought which is by far more compatible with Christian doctrines of God’s purpose for man before and after the fall, right through the patriarchs and all the way to Jesus Christ and how he is the center of all scripture.
I would also like to point out the Aristotelian thought of the community or polis being greater than the individual as going a long way in fostering sacrifice, servant leadership and the idea of a higher calling; all of which are central to Christianity.
It is therefore no wonder that Aquinas managed to marry the two, Aristotelian thought and Christian doctrine, thereby fulfilling his teacher’s prophecy of “the ox will fill the world with his bellowing”. Even exceedingly so!
In my opinion Aristotelian thought is by far the most practical and thus more real philosophy on offer at the time, and that being so, semi-detached Augustinian philosophies really had no chance against it. And they befittingly were cast aside.
I think that Christian doctrines are more profoundly evident when examined empirically, thus a theme like all nature and the universe is created by one supreme being are evidenced by the obvious intelligent design and causality ripple effect. Other themes like the struggle for moral virtue cut across the two sides.
However Aristotelian thought imports certain weaknesses into the Christian philosophy; an example being the blatant ignoring of the creation story and the obvious disparities in the existence of other communities other than Adam’s descendants, which have haunted the church for long and this can partly be blamed on Aristotle’s ignoring of the subject.
I find Aristotle’s thoughts apologetic in nature when introduced in the religious sphere by Aquinas, to the extent that the Christian faith is viewed very suspiciously by other faiths.
Ideas like the sanction of slavery, dominion and killing a tyrant leader as solutions to the various relevant problems is not Christian-like and thus is a deviation from Christian doctrines and problematic at best.
Lastly I will point out that admitting inequality as natural is at variance with Christian philosophy.
In conclusion therefore, I would like to emphasize that the weaknesses notwithstanding, Aristotelian thought is by far the best philosophy for Christian philosophers as evidenced by the influence and popularity of Aquinas as one who excelled by integrating the two sides and succeeding at that.
Student Post: Nabalende Lynda (St. Bernard)
Nabalende Lynda
Uganda Christian University
Of Gregory, Bernard and Wycliffe who would be best equipped to advise the church and the governmental leaders in Uganda today? Why?
In my opinion, I would choose Bernard as the best equipped for such advice because of the following reasons:
Bernard addresses the day today activities and the constraints that are taking place in the church and government leaders and how they have thrown away their responsibilities and he is not happy with them. He first acknowledges the supremacy and the universality of the laws but declares that their fiduciary and ministerial character must bee bounded by faith and righteousness, to bring good order not only in the church but also in governments.
The fact that leaders both in the church and government use their positions for their own financial gain, he poses a question to tem from the Holy Scriptures that ‘did Paul in his slavery aid men in the acquisition of mere financial gain? Yet his time was characterized by all kinds of people as those we are facing in Uganda today that would do any thing to get the kind of authority that Paul had. But he did not do it any way and provides a solution that truly shows that, this man for whom life was Christ and death was gain, made himself a slave to win more for Christ and not to increase the profits of avarice.
Bernard still wonders whether it wouldn’t be much more worthy of the apostolic office to be much more beneficial to a person’s own conscience and much more fruitful to the church of God if the different persons sited in these offices would listen to more of Paul’s statements like, ‘you were bought at a price, do not become the slaves of men’ 1 Corinthians 7:23 because he is one of the land mark leaders that the world has ever had.
Bernard still writes his advice to the church and governmental leaders based on scripture as pointed out earlier. He rages them to be wise and this not only applies to the leaders but also the people like us who will follow in the footsteps of these leaders. He quotes 1 Corinthians 6:5 in response to what the apostle thinks that, ‘is there no wise man among you who can judge between brothers?’ he also says that shame on us who let those who despise the church most to judge it. He believes we are the successors of Paul and we are usurping a contemptible office and wondering what is becoming of us. That is why he quotes a bishop who says, ‘no one who fights for God entangles himself with the secular affairs.’
I couldn’t agree with Bernard more, his ideas are the ideal advises to our church and government leaders. It cannot go without notice that our leaders in Uganda know what they are supposed to do in these circumstances and in case there are any who do not know, they do not want to hear it and the people they are supposed to serve end up being compromised.
That is why Bernard posses a challenge to us Christians to uphold the purpose of God and remember tat if we are given the right in heaven to even judge the angels in heaven, are these worldly things worth fighting for.
He challenges us lawyers to make it a custom to become involved in only cases where it is absolutely necessary (and this will not be in every case) and decide them carefully but briefly and to avoid frustrating a d contrived delay. He gives an example of a case of a widow that requires my attention like wise a case of a poor man and those who have no means to pay.
Uganda Christian University
Of Gregory, Bernard and Wycliffe who would be best equipped to advise the church and the governmental leaders in Uganda today? Why?
In my opinion, I would choose Bernard as the best equipped for such advice because of the following reasons:
Bernard addresses the day today activities and the constraints that are taking place in the church and government leaders and how they have thrown away their responsibilities and he is not happy with them. He first acknowledges the supremacy and the universality of the laws but declares that their fiduciary and ministerial character must bee bounded by faith and righteousness, to bring good order not only in the church but also in governments.
The fact that leaders both in the church and government use their positions for their own financial gain, he poses a question to tem from the Holy Scriptures that ‘did Paul in his slavery aid men in the acquisition of mere financial gain? Yet his time was characterized by all kinds of people as those we are facing in Uganda today that would do any thing to get the kind of authority that Paul had. But he did not do it any way and provides a solution that truly shows that, this man for whom life was Christ and death was gain, made himself a slave to win more for Christ and not to increase the profits of avarice.
Bernard still wonders whether it wouldn’t be much more worthy of the apostolic office to be much more beneficial to a person’s own conscience and much more fruitful to the church of God if the different persons sited in these offices would listen to more of Paul’s statements like, ‘you were bought at a price, do not become the slaves of men’ 1 Corinthians 7:23 because he is one of the land mark leaders that the world has ever had.
Bernard still writes his advice to the church and governmental leaders based on scripture as pointed out earlier. He rages them to be wise and this not only applies to the leaders but also the people like us who will follow in the footsteps of these leaders. He quotes 1 Corinthians 6:5 in response to what the apostle thinks that, ‘is there no wise man among you who can judge between brothers?’ he also says that shame on us who let those who despise the church most to judge it. He believes we are the successors of Paul and we are usurping a contemptible office and wondering what is becoming of us. That is why he quotes a bishop who says, ‘no one who fights for God entangles himself with the secular affairs.’
I couldn’t agree with Bernard more, his ideas are the ideal advises to our church and government leaders. It cannot go without notice that our leaders in Uganda know what they are supposed to do in these circumstances and in case there are any who do not know, they do not want to hear it and the people they are supposed to serve end up being compromised.
That is why Bernard posses a challenge to us Christians to uphold the purpose of God and remember tat if we are given the right in heaven to even judge the angels in heaven, are these worldly things worth fighting for.
He challenges us lawyers to make it a custom to become involved in only cases where it is absolutely necessary (and this will not be in every case) and decide them carefully but briefly and to avoid frustrating a d contrived delay. He gives an example of a case of a widow that requires my attention like wise a case of a poor man and those who have no means to pay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)