Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Philosophy Club

[Jensyn Runkle]

I am not a philosopher. But I do consider myself to be a person of faith. Thus, my interpretation of this material is very much informed by the morality born to me by Christianity.
I could analyze the ideas or opinions of this book, and find fault in many places should I decide to look deeper. But as the author states, this could simply be my way of excusing the idea or shifting fault away from my own intention.

So instead, I will write of the part I disagree with most. The existence of evil.
This is a fact, not an opinion.
Page 37, Chapter "We Can't help starving children because we cannot help ourselves."
Referencing the quote from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

I could understand why someone of his nature would seek to separate the two. To assuage his own guilt or behaviors. But inherently-Biblically the two are tied together through choice. While I agree with some of what this author has stated, I cannot separate the "Yous" from themselves.
From the days Eve indulged in the forbidden fruit, evil has had a toe hold in this world. It is both physical and conceptual.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

The presence of evil beyond human control does not inherently disqualify human behavior. We are born with free will. Therefore our choices are entirely our own. Evil is invited into our physical space. Our minds, or souls. But only through our own allowance - knowingly or not. It is not some innate part of our being. It is an intentional parasite meant to keep us from God.

So the point being. We can in some ways separate evil from ourselves and think of them as two parts of a whole. But in order for wickedness to prevail, you must first have given yourself over to it.

[Mounce574]

Also, if you can provide me the quote from the Christian Bible, preferably something said by Jesus himself, that supports the claim that "Satan is evil" (i.e. that God did something he shouldn't have when he chose to create Satan knowing Satan would do exactly what Satan would do based on the way God created him), that would be great.


With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

Matthew 13:38 would be Jesus claiming Satan is evil.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

Among the statements I disagree with is definitely the one on page 156, which says, "If you were fully in their shoes, you would do exactly as they do, so there is nothing to forgive."

Hi, Martina Sette,

Let's break the sentence down into shorter claims, to see where the alleged disagreement is.

Do you agree with this shorter version of the sentence:

"If you were fully in their shoes, you would do exactly as they do."

?



With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

[Jude Greg]

I agree with everything you said in this book. I have no argument against anything whatsoever. Great book.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

So instead, I will write of the part I disagree with most. The existence of evil.
This is a fact, not an opinion.
Page 37, Chapter "We Can't help starving children because we cannot help ourselves."
Referencing the quote from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Those are three different parts of the book.

Please quote verbatim very first sentence with which you disagree.

In other words, please do not quote the sentence you disagree with "most", but rather the sentence with which you disagree that appears closest to the beginning of the book.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

if you can provide me the quote from the Christian Bible, preferably something said by Jesus himself, that supports the claim [...] that God did something he shouldn't have when he chose to create Satan knowing Satan would do exactly what Satan would do based on the way God created him

Matthew 13:38 would be Jesus claiming Satan is evil.

Hi, Mounce574,

Thank you for providing that quote. It's definitely helpful to me.

However, while definitely relevant, it doesn't seem to be exactly what I asked for.

But it's hard to say since the Bible wasn't written in English and thus all English translations are inherently partly wrong and distorted from what it actually says in the original language.

Thus, can you provide the actual quote using the English translation you prefer most?


Thank you,
Scott

[John Judah]

On page 127, under the heading "There Is No Problem With Evil." I must say that I didn't seem to agree with this statement. in my little experience in life, the major problem I know is evil and its act. I can imagine how this world will be without evil. i must say that I totally disagree with this big statement and also I will demand more clarification to it.

[Mohammed]

"Humans don't come into the world; they come out of it, like an apple comes out of an apple tree, like a rose comes out of a rose garden."

Is not like disagreement, I need further explanation on the quote above.

[Mohammed]

Thanks Scott to the wonderful masterpiece you drop(In It Together) and it gives me shocks and goosebumps. Sometimes I cry and realize that life is simple but we made it complex to live through.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

"There is no problem of evil because there is no evil."
I can't logically explain the existence of evil, but I know it exists because I've encountered it. And the only way I can describe it is... Evil. It's not physical, it's spiritual. And it fights against the good of humanity and the world at large.

Hi, Amy Jackson,

I strongly encourage you to reply to each of the ten questions in the following topic:

Ten Questions for People Who Believe Should-Not-Have-Ness [a.k.a. evil] Exists


With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

On page 127, under the heading "There Is No Problem With Evil." I must say that I didn't seem to agree with this statement. in my little experience in life, the major problem I know is evil and its act. I can imagine how this world will be without evil. i must say that I totally disagree with this big statement and also I will demand more clarification to it.

Hi, John Judah,

If you don't agree with every single sentence from the book, please post a verbatim quote of the very first sentence in the book with which you disagree, meaning the sentence closest to the beginning of the book.


With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

"Humans don't come into the world; they come out of it, like an apple comes out of an apple tree, like a rose comes out of a rose garden."

Is not like disagreement, I need further explanation on the quote above.

Hi, Mohammed,

That question was already asked and answered earlier in the Q&A:

In your book, you wrote (while paraphrasing Alan Watts), "Humans do not come into the world; they come out of it, like an apple comes out of an apple tree." Can you explain what that means in more detail?


Moving forward, please do make sure to read all the previous Q&As before asking a new question to make sure the question hasn't already been asked and answered.


With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

[NaghmaQ]

The first sentence I disagree with is on page 33 - "We Can't Help Starving Children Because We Can't Help Ourselves"
In my opinion, we cannot state this to be true because many of us do find some enlightened paths when we learn how to help ourselves and we also help others. But this statement and the examples are more on an individual level. If the wording could somehow reflect that we (all of humanity or a majority) cannot work together towards helping ourselves as a single collective unit and that's why we are not able to eradicate such preventable sufferings in the world, then I would have agreed to that. But if we look at smaller groups or individuals, there are individuals and even communities that take care of each other.

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

The passage argues that holding onto unforgiveness (resentment) creates a false sense of value in the act of withholding forgiveness, especially for things we personally deem most unforgivable. It suggests that by viewing unforgiveness as harmful rather than valuable, we can let go of it entirely, freeing ourselves from the mental struggle of categorizing things as forgivable or unforgivable. The text challenges the dualistic mindset that divides people or actions into good and bad categories, urging us instead to see everything as inherently what it is, without comparison. Forgiveness is not a gift to the offender but a release from self-inflicted harm. By removing resentment and judgment, we gain inner peace. The passage questions whether forgiveness would be easier if we lived in isolation, free from the judgments tied to human interactions, suggesting that in such a state, we might naturally discard resentment altogether.

Hi, Anthony Ambrose,

That is not a quote from my book.

If you don't agree with every single sentence from the book, please post a verbatim quote of the very first sentence in the book with which you disagree, meaning the sentence closest to the beginning of the book.


With love,
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
a.k.a. Scott

[Santosuosso]

This book has a character of its own. It is thought-provoking, insightful and the reader feels an immediate connection with the author. He constructs his insights in a form that links interpretation of facts on a continuum of possibilities intrinsically connected in meaning and power to change. With great admiration, I honour Mr Hughes, for his ability to dissect life and get known as one of the great thinkers of our time, through his masterpiece— this book.

The goal of philosophy is to ask questions and find truth. There are different perspectives that make-up a whole which is oneness, without breaking the integrity and vision of any person.

Santosuosso