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Excommunicated the Newsletter of the International Society for Heresy Studies
Vol. 1, No. 2 (June 2015) excommunicated The newsletter of The International Society for Heresy Studies A biannual newsletter heresystudies.org Charlie Hebdo and Charlie’s Heterodoxy Heresy in the News: Teaching Corner: Belief, Philip Jenkins’s The the Wrath of Faith Edward Simon on Thomas Jay Oord Heterodoxy, and Liberal Great and Holy War: James Morrow Page 4 John D. Holloway Education: a Test Case How World War I Page 1 Page 6 Bernard Schweizer Became a Religious Je ne suis pas Charlie, mais… Page 9 Crusade Response to James Morrow Richard Santana Featured Heretic: Gregory Erickson John Daniel Holloway, III Page 5 Tom Paine Page 10 Page 2 Edward Simon Also: Anti-Islam: The New Anti- Page 7 Check out the Charlie's Orthodoxy Catholicism? Journal of Heresy Studies. Jordan E. Miller Book Review: Geremy Carnes See page 11 for more information. Page 3 Page 5 Editor: Bernard Schweizer Assistant Editor: Edward Simon The International Society for Heresy Studies Officers: Advisory Board Members: Contact: Gregory Erickson (president) Valentine Cunningham David Dickinson Gregory Erickson Bernard Schweizer (vice-president) Lorna Gibb Rebecca N. Goldstein 1 Washington Place, Room 417 John D. Holloway (secretary-treasurer) Jordan E. Miller James Morrow New York University Geremy Carnes (webmaster) Ethan Quillen Robert Royalty New York, NY 10003 James Wood CHARLIE HEBDO AND THE WRATH OF FAITH James Morrow about the Paris killings) called “the wrath of To characterize the creation of pen-and-ink faith”—and it's a foregone conclusion that the abyss drawings as “bullying,” I feel, violates the plain Novelist will win. -
Altruism, Morality & Social Solidarity Forum
Altruism, Morality & Social Solidarity Forum A Forum for Scholarship and Newsletter of the AMSS Section of ASA Volume 3, Issue 2 May 2012 What’s so Darned Special about Church Friends? Robert D. Putnam Harvard University One purpose of my recent research (with David E. Campbell) on religion in America1 was to con- firm and, if possible, extend previous research on the correlation of religiosity and altruistic behavior, such as giving, volunteering, and community involvement. It proved straight-forward to show that each of sev- eral dozen measures of good neighborliness was strongly correlated with religious involvement. Continued on page 19... Our Future is Just Beginning Vincent Jeffries, Acting Chairperson California State University, Northridge The beginning of our endeavors has ended. The study of altruism, morality, and social solidarity is now an established section in the American Sociological Association. We will have our first Section Sessions at the 2012 American Sociological Association Meetings in Denver, Colorado, this August. There is a full slate of candidates for the ASA elections this spring, and those chosen will take office at the Meetings. Continued on page 4... The Revival of Russian Sociology and Studies of This Issue: Social Solidarity From the Editor 2 Dmitry Efremenko and Yaroslava Evseeva AMSS Awards 3 Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences Scholarly Updates 12 The article was executed in the framework of the research project Social solidarity as a condition of society transformations: Theoretical foundations, Bezila 16 Russian specificity, socio-biological and socio-psychological aspects, supported Dissertation by the Russian foundation for basic research (Project 11-06-00347а). -
Altruism1 Neven Sesardic
Brit. J. Phil. Sci. 50 (1999), 457–466 REVIEW ARTICLE Altruism1 Neven Sesardic 1 Introduction 2 Evolutionary altruism 2.1 Historical confusion 2.2 Averaging fallacy 3 Psychological altruism 3.1 Conceptual issues 3.2 Empirical issues 4 Conclusion 1 Introduction The belief in the existence of genuine altruism is still widely regarded as an underdog theory. This is well reflected in the fact that the whole debate about egoism and altruism is frequently conceptualized as being about the so-called paradox of altruism. The obvious suggestion here is that the cards are so heavily stacked against altruism that the easiest way to resolve the controversy would be to simply agree that altruism does not exist at all. In their book Unto Others, the philosopher Elliott Sober and the biologist David Sloan Wilson make a strong effort to swim against this current. The battle between altruism and egoism is fought on two separate fronts: in evolutionary biology and in psychology. The book covers both aspects of the debate: the first part deals with biology, the second part with psychology. Although the definition of altruism in biology significantly differs from the concept of altruism in psychology, the authors have shown that the two strands of the discussion nevertheless remain interrelated to such a degree that the integration of both topics into one book makes perfect sense. 1 Review of Elliott Sober and David Sloan Wilson [1998]: Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior, London/Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, cloth £19.95/$29.95, ISBN: 0 674 93046 0. -
Panentheism and Panexperientialism for Open and Relational Theology
Panentheism and Panexperientialism for Open and Relational Theology Thomas Jay Oord and Wm. Andrew Schwartz Open and relational theologies have a particular affinity for panentheism and panexperientialism (panpsychism). These theologies come in various forms, however. And scholars propose various forms of panentheism and panexperi- entialism. Diversity reigns. We begin this essay by describing open and relational theology. We also describe panentheism and panexperientialism, broadly understood. We note reasons why open and relational theists would be attracted to each. And we argue that panentheism and panexperientialism complement one another, al- though a person could be attracted only to one. Much of the essay argues for one form of open and relational theology we think makes the best sense overall. This form includes belief in a personal/ relational God, makes distinctions between God and creatures, affirms God ev- erlastingly creates (thereby denying creatio ex nihilo), and offers a solution to the theoretical aspect of the problem of evil. Adopting panexperientialism and panentheism offers ways to overcome theoretical problems in contemporary thought, while arguably motivating adherents of the view to love (promote overall well-being). 1. Open and Relational Theology The label »open and relational theology« serves as an umbrella designation for a family of theologies.1 This family shares at least two core convictions. The »open« aspect refers to the idea that both creatures and God experience the ongoingness of time. Consequently, both God and creatures face an open, yet to be determined future. Because the future is not actual, it is inherently 1 These include theologies using labels such as open theism, process theism, various relational theologies, some Wesleyan theologies, some feminist theologies, some ecological theologies, some Arminian theologies, some postcolonial theologies, and more. -
The Palgrave Handbook of Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Formulating a Field of Study
The Palgrave Handbook of Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Formulating a Field of Study Edited by Vincent Jeffries THE PALGRAVE HANDBOOK OF ALTRUISM, MORALITY, AND SOCIAL SOLIDARITY Copyright © Vincent Jeffries, 2014. All rights reserved. First published in 2014 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States—a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN: 978–1–137–39184–1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Palgrave handbook of altruism, morality, and social solidarity : formulating a fi eld of study / [edited] by Vincent Jeffries. pages cm Includes index. ISBN 978–1–137–39184–1 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Altruism. 2. Ethics. 3. Solidarity. 4. Sociology. I. Jeffries, Vincent. HM1146.P35 2014 301—dc23 2014003318 A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Knowledge Works (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: August 2014 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents List of Figures and Tables ix Preface xi Acknowledgments xv Part 1 General Perspectives and Future Directions 1 Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity as a Field of Study 3 Vincent Jeffries 2 Virtues and Human Personhood in the Social Sciences 21 Margarita A. -
When the Kingdom of God Became the Kingdom of Ends: Altruism’S Development Into a Normative Ideal
When the Kingdom of God Became the Kingdom of Ends: Altruism’s Development into a Normative Ideal A Senior Honor Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with distinction in Political Science in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences by Benjamin T. Jones The Ohio State University December 10, 2006 Project Advisors: John M. Parrish, Department of Political Science (Loyola Marymount University) Michael A. Neblo, Department of Political Science (The Ohio State University) Table of Contents Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Introduction 1 The Paradox at the Heart of Altruism 4 Defining Altruism and Normativity 6 What Are We Looking For? 11 Roadmap of What’s to Come 14 Part I Towards a Problem: The Ancient Debate over Public Life 17 Eudaimonia and Ancient Ethics 18 Plato and Aristotle 24 Epicurus and the Stoics 40 A Solution from an Unlikely Source 47 Augustine’s Reconciliation of the Two Cities 55 Conclusion 63 Part II Self-Love’s Fall from Grace: How Normative Altruism Developed out of the Augustinian Tradition 65 Entangled in Self-love: Augustine’s Normative Argument 67 Augustine Goes Secular 75 Kant’s Problematic Solution 83 Reworking Kant—And Altruism 89 Conclusion 91 Part III The Problems with Normative Altruism 93 Two Conceptions of Altruism 93 Evidence for Altruism on a Descriptive Level 95 Motivational Barriers to Normative Altruism 113 Changing the Way We Talk About Altruism 121 Conclusion 126 Bibliography 131 i Abstract In contemporary moral philosophy, altruism holds a place of prominence. Although a complex idea, the term seeps into everyday discourse, by no means confined to the esoteric language of philosophers and psychologists. -
How Virtue Signalling Makes Us Better: Moral Preferences with Respect to Autonomous Vehicle Type Choices
How virtue signalling makes us better: Moral preferences with respect to autonomous vehicle type choices Robin Kopeckya,b, Michaela Jirout Košováa,b, Daniel D. Novotnýa,c, Jaroslav Flegra,b, David Černýa,d aThe Karel Čapek Center for Values in Science and Technology b Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia cFaculty of Theology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia dInstitute of State and Law, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia Corresponding author: Robin Kopecky, [email protected], Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 00 Prague 2, Czechia Data Availability: https://osf.io/y7t5q Abstract Autonomous vehicles (henceforth AVs) are about to be introduced to the mass market. However, many moral questions concerning AVs still remain. One of the issues has to do with the choice between AV types that differ in their built-in algorithms for dealing with situations of unavoidable lethal collision. These situations will probably be rare, yet they will happen and are of concern to governments, manufactures, and the potential users of AVs. It does not appear to be possible to avoid questions about how these algorithms should be designed. We present the results of our study of moral preferences (N=2769) with respect to three types of AVs: (1) selfish, which protects the lives of passenger(s) over any number of bystanders; (2) altruistic, which minimizes the number of casualties, even if this leads to death of passenger(s); and (3) conservative, which abstains from interfering in such situations. We differentiate between scenarios in which participants are to make their decisions privately or publicly, and for themselves or for their offspring. -
Authenticity, Autonomy and Altruism: Keys for Transformation
Authenticity, Autonomy and Altruism: Keys for Transformation Rodney Clarken Northern Michigan University Paper presented at the 21st Annual Equity Within the Classroom Conference Houghton, Michigan, March 27-29, 2011 Authenticity, Autonomy and Altruism, p. 2 Abstract The value of authentic knowing, autonomous behavior and altruistic motivation is presented. Authenticity, autonomy and altruism are primary human capacities and keys for individual and collective transformation. Realizing the full development of these three basic potentialities can serve as goals and standards for well-being. Authenticity, autonomy and altruism are described, ways of developing them explored and their role in relationships and classrooms discussed. Development is the process of potentiality becoming actuality. Helping people achieve their potential to find a measure of success in school, life and society is a primary goal of education. This paper will briefly explore authenticity, autonomy and altruism as three essential basic skills or capacities for developing human potential and creating healthy relationships and societies. Authenticity refers to genuineness and truth, autonomy to moral decisions and actions, and altruism to love and selflessness. How can we through conscious effort, training and experience develop these qualities? These basic human capacities seek expression in life. We can either encourage or discourage them to develop. When these capabilities are misdirected, perverted, frustrated or harmed in any way, healthy growth and development are impeded. When they are properly used and developed, they become keys for transformation of the individual, community and institutions of society. Authenticity, autonomy and altruism, as fundamental aspects of human potential, can serve as overarching goals for education that can guide and inform all aspects of the educational process. -
MICHAEL LODAHL Curriculum Vita
MICHAEL LODAHL curriculum vita 4623 Coronado Avenue Professor of Theology & World Religions San Diego, California 92107 Point Loma Nazarene University Home (619) 297-0395 Office Phone: (619) 849-2331 Cell (858) 405-3184 [email protected] EDUCATION: Emory University, Atlanta, GA (1984-88). Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies, 1988. Dissertation: "Shekhinah/Spirit: A Process Pneumatology Founded in Jewish-Christian Conversation"; subsequently published by Paulist Press (Stimulus Books series) as Shekhinah/Spirit: Divine Presence in Jewish and Christian Religion (1992). Specialization: Jewish-Christian dialogue with concentrated work in theodicy and pneumatology. Held Emory Graduate School of Arts and Sciences teaching fellowship, 1984-87. Teaching assistant for John Fenton in World Religions, Emory University Department of Religion, 1986-87. Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO (1977-81). Master of Divinity, summa cum laude, 1981. Areas of concentration: theology, philosophy of religion. Editor of The Seminarian journal, 1978-79. Teaching assistant to Albert Truesdale in philosophy of religion, 1980-81. Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, ID (1973-77). Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, 1977. Teaching assistant to C.S. Cowles in theology, 1976-77. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS (listed chronologically): Received grants from the Joe Glenn Memorial Fund of the Atlanta Jewish Federation and from the Dorot Foundation of New York to study the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Institute, Jerusalem, Israel, July 1986. Received full fellowship from the National Conference of Christians and Jews to participate in a month-long theological seminar on "Christians, Jews, and the Covenant" (David Hartman and Paul M. van Buren, seminar directors) at the Center for Contemporary Theology, Shalom Hartman Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies, Jerusalem, Israel, January 1987. -
The Philosophical Core of Effective Altruism
Forthcoming in Journal of Social Philosophy The Philosophical Core of Effective Altruism Brian Berkey 1. Introduction In his recent book on the effective altruism movement, Peter Singer approvingly cites a definition according to which effective altruism is “a philosophy and social movement which applies evidence and reason to working out the most effective ways to improve the world” (2015, 4-5). Effective altruism’s identity as both a philosophy, or, more precisely, a set of core philosophical commitments, and a social movement places effective altruists in a position in which they must consider the question of which philosophical commitments are essential, such that one must embrace them in order to count as an effective altruist, at least in part in the light of the goal of building a robust social movement capable of advancing its aims. On the one hand, the goal of building a social movement provides a strong reason for effective altruists to embrace a set of core commitments that is as ecumenical as possible, so that no one is excluded who might otherwise identify with the movement and contribute to advancing its central aims. On the other hand, there are a number of risks involved in adopting a broadly ecumenical approach to social movement building. Such an approach can, for example, limit a movement’s ability to challenge conventional wisdom by publicly defending controversial claims, including claims the acceptance of which may have helped to bring together and motivate many early members of the movement. More generally, it can undermine the distinctiveness of a movement, making it less clear how it should be distinguished from other sufficiently similar movements, and why it might represent an important and unique way of thinking about and attempting to address the social problems on which it is focused. -
Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2015)
Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2015) Preamble The 2015 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (Code) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is designed to reflect the dynamic nature of the profession, the evolving health care environment, and emerging technologies that can present potential ethical concerns in research, education, and practice. AOTA members are committed to promoting inclusion, participation, safety, and well-being for all recipi- ents in various stages of life, health, and illness and to empowering all beneficiaries of service to meet their occupational needs. Recipients of services may be individuals, groups, families, organizations, communi- ties, or populations (AOTA, 2014b). The Code is an AOTA Official Document and a public statement tailored to address the most prevalent ethical concerns of the occupational therapy profession. It outlines Standards of Conduct the public can expect from those in the profession. It should be applied to all areas of occupational therapy and shared with relevant stakeholders to promote ethical conduct. The Code serves two purposes: 1. It provides aspirational Core Values that guide members toward ethical courses of action in professional and volunteer roles. 2. It delineates enforceable Principles and Standards of Conduct that apply to AOTA members. Whereas the Code helps guide and define decision-making parameters, ethical action goes beyond rote compliance with these Principles and is a manifestation of moral character and mindful reflection. It is a commitment to benefit others, to virtuous practice of artistry and science, to genuinely good behaviors, and to noble acts of courage. Recognizing and resolving ethical issues is a systematic process that includes analyzing the complex dynamics of situations, weighing consequences, making reasoned decisions, taking action, and reflecting on outcomes. -
Abellán, José Luis (Spanish Philosopher), 86-87 Acevedo
INDEX Abellán, José Luis (Spanish anti-intellectualism, 26, 69, 85, 142, philosopher), 86-87 143 Acevedo, Jesus (Mexican Caso’s a., 140 writer), 95 Unamuno’s a., 140 adaptation, 127 antinom(ies)(y), 113, 115 a. has for its final cause, 118 a. between egoism and morality, 114 a. is the utilitarian law, 118 a. between eternal and advocacy, 70, 72, 156 temporal, 114 a. defends a thesis, 70 Apologie de la Religion degenerating into a., 70 Chrétienne (Pascal), aesthetics, 5, 44, 106 52 agonía [agony], 64, 79, 117 Aquinas, Thomas, 33 a. of Christianity, 74 Aristotle, 38, 95, 114 a. means struggle, 74 art, 135 Agony of Christianity a. and logic, 132 (Unamuno), 73-75 a. for art’s sake, 131 Almas Jovenes (article) Ateneo de Juventud (Ortega y Gasset), 86 [Atheneum of altruism, 103, 112, 139, 145 Youth], 96, 97, 98 a. or self-sacrifice, 135 Athanasius (Church Father), 59, 60, 61, a. shifts the emphasis, 94 62 absolute a., 82 De Incarnatione, 61 Caso’s concept of a., 94 atheis(m)(t)(s), 46, 75, 155 defense of Christian a., 112 attitude(s), 1, 114, 154, 156 egoism and a., 143 Augustine of Hippo, 33, 111 the good is simply a., 134 Ávila, Theresa de (Spanish mystic), 23, moral a., 139 24, 49 possibility of a., 40 pure a., 136 Bacon, Francis, 8 reconciling egoism and a., Balfour, Arthur James (English 131 philosopher), 46 amor de Dios [love of God], The Foundation of Belief, 46 25, 49 Barreda, Gabino (Mexican Amor y Pedagogía [Love and educator), 6, 7, 8, 91, Pedagogy] (Unamuno), 10 92 An Enquiry Concerning Human beauty, 71, 106, 107, 108, Understanding (Hume), 29 contemplation of b., 115 analogy, 150, 155, 156 b.