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Since this simplifies and organizes our experience of the world, it is wiser to accept the value of truth of this belief.
If Russell questioned the existence of matter, Aristotle was concerned with its nature. According to him, all the things which come into existence must come from a substratum (which is the very nature of matter). Nevertheless, should this underlying matter of the universe come from another, already-existing underlying matter, this judgement results self-contradictory. On the other hand, nothing can be generated ex-nihilo, therefore, it can only be concluded that in order to exist, matter needs to be possible. However, possibility can not exist in itself, but must be conceived as residing in something else. And here one could bring Spinoza's conceptions into discussion. In his opinion things can exist or in themselves or in something else. Since God is the only one who can exist through himself and he is infinite, it results that everything can exist only in and through God. Thus, the existence of matter is inextricably linked to the existence of a superior entity.
Democritus believed that matter is made out of atoms which are eternal. These atoms perform random combinations which lead to the creation of a variety of worlds in which there is no actual principle of design. Since matter is eternal and everything is nothing but matter, it is obvious that there is no need for a superior entity in this equation.
The materialists have sustained that the universe (matter) is eternal. However, scientists have proven that the universe has had a beginning and therefore, it will surely have and end as well. In addition, if time and space are interconnected, the beginning...
Hence, the materialistic conception according to which time has an independent existence must be wrong. Furthermore, since matter is under the influence of time, it means that the universe is subject to constant change.
All in all, the existence of matter, as well as its origin and its nature represent important philosophical questions which have consequences upon other issues such as time, space, God, freedom and the self. Some philosophers argued that a superior entity is needed in order to give birth to matter while other have sustained the opposite. At the same time, the objective existence of matter has been questioned as well, yet some believed that our instinctual beliefs are enough to accept it in order to simplify our existence. The truth is that matter is in continuous change. If time and space are an unbreakable duo and if space might come to an end some day, it is safe to ask ourselves if time too will have the same fate.
Bibliography
Aristotle. Physics. Trans. Waterfield, Robin.Oxford University Press, 2008
Descartes, Rene. Discourse on method. Kindle Edition, 2006
Gould, James. The existence of absolute space. 16 November 2008 < https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/4849/1/V62N02_101.pdf
Russell, Bertrand. Problems of philosophy. Book Jungle, 2008
Spinoza, Baruch. Ethics. Part II. 14 November 2008 http://frank.mtsu.edu/~rbombard/RB/Spinoza/ethica-front.html
View that denies God's existence and accepts the eternal existence of matter in the light of the big bang." Big bang articles. 17 November 2008 http://www.bigbang.ws/articles.asp?id=69
Bibliography
Aristotle. Physics. Trans. Waterfield, Robin.Oxford University Press, 2008
Descartes, Rene. Discourse on method. Kindle Edition, 2006
Gould, James. The existence of absolute space. 16 November 2008 < https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/4849/1/V62N02_101.pdf
Russell, Bertrand. Problems of philosophy. Book Jungle, 2008
Spinoza, Baruch. Ethics. Part II. 14 November 2008 http://frank.mtsu.edu/~rbombard/RB/Spinoza/ethica-front.html
View that denies God's existence and accepts the eternal existence of matter in the light of the big bang." Big bang articles. 17 November 2008 http://www.bigbang.ws/articles.asp?id=69
Existence of God The philosophical questions I will try to answer and why they are of particular interest to me. Opinions that ordinary people tend to have on the issue The great monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam profoundly influenced Western philosophy. In all of these religions, the existence of God is a central claim. For nearly a millennium from 500 S.D to about 1500 A.D., Western philosophy was the handmaiden
God vs Evil Forces There is a major problem in the question of the existence of God as well as the presence of the evil forces. If God is almighty, loving and omnipresent how could there be suffering and evil forces in this world? With all the power God has, He could eliminate each and every evil making the world a peaceful and a beautiful place to live for the people.
Animals have been overused both in terms of their skins and pelts and in terms of consumption by the standards of greed. It is common knowledge that chickens are kept in cramped quarters and live short lives of being shot full of steroids toward the ends of bigger chickens faster to sell on today's inflated food market. Not only is food more contaminated it is also less bountiful that in
Nature or Nurture Nature vs. Nurture Is one shaped by nature or by nurture? This question of nature vs. nurture has been the center of controversy since the beginning of time. Insomuch, some feel that a living organism, such as animals, human beings, or cells may be influenced by external or internal stimuli based on one's environment. With such a huge divergence of perspectives on the issue, the nature-nurture debate is prominent
If something happens, then it is a belief that somebody caused that thing to happen the way it did, and it is an effect of some kind of action. If then several actions take place one after the other, then the earlier/older happening caused the later event thus, "the first cause is the cause of all things and itself had no cause since it always existed." (Trigilio, and Brighenti
6 Is there any comfort in these? None. There is no comfort in believing that one's existence -- joys and sufferings included -- is meaningless. If it were so, then there's no point in doing good rather than evil. If there is no immortality with God, then there is no Judgment and Hitler won't be any less of a saint than Mother Theresa. In a world without God, morality loses