HUM105 Great Ideas of World Civilizations
Discussion Forum 7
Which is a better way of knowing truth: faith or reason?
This week’s question will be a little different from the usual. This time, I’m going to ask you to give two very different answers to the same question. Do the assigned reading: Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and Feynman’s “The Relation of Science and Religion”), and then consider the question below. But instead of just asking you to give your answer and then respond to a classmate, I want you to try to argue first for one side of the argument, and then, in your second post, take the other side.
In your first post, explain briefly what you think are the greatest advantages for believing in science and rational argument. Then, in your second post, take the opposite side, and list the advantages for accepting faith rather than reason. You should post your first response by 11:59 pm, Thursday, March 28th, and your second post by 11:59 pm, Sunday, March 31st. If you want to, you can certainly add more posts, especially if you want to make clear your true feelings, but I want you to give each side at least one try. Remember, I want you to explore both sides of this question. Give your best, most reasonable argument for both, even if you feel strongly one way or the other. Show us all that you can see why each view could be a legitimate way of thinking.
As before, make sure you do at least one of the following for each of your two posts:
Be the first to post. (You get extra credit if you do!)
Agree, but don’t just repeat, Take into account what other people have already said.
Disagree with something already said, but explain why you disagree.
Add a new element or new idea to the discussion.
Again, do not just agree, disagree, go off on an unrelated tangent, or base your argument on “It’s just my opinion”. Give reasons.
The question is:
Which is better: placing your trust in God and religious or spiritual faith, or placing your trust in rationality, science, and observable evidence?
As in the past, make sure you post at least twice – and get your posts in on time. Please don’t wait till the last minute. Be considerate of your classmates, and give them a chance to react to your points.