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Introduction
Philosophy
In essence, Philosophy has been regarded as the study of fundamental problems that include questions connected to existence, language, justice, nature of man, if God exists and human happiness among others. The world Philosophy is derived from the Greek word translated “love of wisdom”. In this regard, there has been a contentious debate on Existence of God proposed by various philosophers. Within philosophical terminology, arguments against and for existence of God have involved theory of knowledge, nature of being with the concept of perfection. The debate concerning the existence of God has therefore, raised many philosophical and religion issues. In this regard, this paper seeks to examine two philosophers that explore philosophy knowledge in various topics pertaining human happiness, the nature of a man, what is justice, value of pursuing truth and the existence of God.
What constitutes human happiness?
Descartes have accounted basic facts regarding what constitutes human happiness. From his argument, happiness is linked to mental and physical well being. In addition, he argues that, psychical illness is the most effectual way that denies human happiness. In this regard, he points out that, there are also domestic enemies that injure a human being and as a result; makes a human being sad. This implies that, a human being has to play a big role in ensuring that he or she lives a happy life. Based on this argument, Descartes gives some of the remedy that attributes to human happiness. First, he points out that, the first remedy relies on guiding our thoughts away from immediate objects that deny total happiness.
Given this, Descartes emphasizes that, although there may be countless reasons for distress, one should spend time of rest in the consideration for events that could add joy and contentment. This cognitive therapy is sufficient to restore the patient health especially those in distress and depression. Concerning this, he gives his own life experience of some few challenges he had undergone in life. He points out that, he inherited dry cough from his mother that stayed in his life until he was twenty. All the doctors he went to assumed he would die at the young age. In this regard, he points out that, this was a very trying moment, which was meant to destroy him and deny him happiness (Rorty 3).
What kept him focus and happy despite the challenging moment; was the inclination to look things from a better perceptive bearing in mind that, principle of happiness. T relies upon an individual. Eventually, this reversed the situation to the point that, the cough disappeared completely. These thoughts lead to the fervor of the soul in which he discusses to be what constitutes of human happiness. Additionally, he evaluates that, human happiness constitute of how an individual takes life and how he reacts in tough situations. This greatly contributes to perfect happiness of a human to enjoy life to the fullest. Descartes definition of happiness is the perfect contentment of mind with inner satisfaction that accompanies the practice of happiness virtue.
The nature of man
The Catholic Church honors St Thomas Aquinas for his creative thinking and extraordinary holiness. St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theological argues that, the nature of man consists of peculiar knowledge and will. Knowledge and will are vital in making life decisions. In addition, a human being is created in the likeness of God. From St Thomas Aquinas, this does not mean that human beings resemble God, it means human were perfectly good. Based on this argument, the concept of original goodness is based on humankind creation in God’s image.
Additionally, the concept of goodness is also looked upon God satisfaction on humanity creation that he pronounced perfectly. This implies that, God is good and he cannot create anything evil. This means that, the nature of a human being is good. St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theological argues that, although human being is naturally good, he has fallen of the unique state of incorruptibility. From this perspective, the disobedience of Eve and Adam brought the incorruptibility. This is mostly agreed upon consequences of psychical death in the World. Consequently, every human being is born with a tendency towards sin. This concludes that, initially, the nature of man was good but since Adam and Eve insubordination, the human being is born with a sinful nature. However, God has ensured that, an angel is given to each individual to guard on the basics of life. Angels according to St. Thomas Aquinas are pure spirits created by God with inexplicable divine wisdom. The angel work is to help the human being align to the will and likeness of God (Rorty 34).
God existence
St. Thomas Aquinas points out that, an individual can find identity in God. This is achieved in knowing God and his existence. In this regard, God existence is proved by humanity creation. As said earlier, God created human being in his likeness and after creating the creation, he acclaimed it good. From this aspect, St. Thomas Aquinas outlines that, God is all-powerful and his existence is real. The theoretical theology of St Thomas Aquinas emphasizes that, God is omnipresent and he is the source of all understanding. The existence of God means that, he provides the intellectual meditation that accompanies our faith with God. Faith is what makes humankind know that, God exists. God existence is verified on how he provides humankind needs. With regard to this, he has been outlined the provider for human kind.
Additionally, God is a spiritual being. God is omnipresent and this is attributed by his nature of been a spirit. On the other hand, Descartes regards God to the immediate ground of man contentment. This implies that, the main content of our mind lies in God’s quintessence. From his argument, God controls everything that happens in nature. In this regard, he précised that, God influences human kind thinking in that, he is the foundation of all intellectual understanding. This is because, he is present in the human being soul. On the contrary, St Thomas rejects this understanding in that, although God is present in our soul, he not the proximate determinant of our actions. God has given every man a power of choice to distinguish the right and the wrong. The power of choice in the human being proves God’s existence.
What is justice?
Descartes argue that, justice is regarded to be God’s will on humankind. He outlines that, justice is not the suitable relation between the ruler and the ruled, rather is what God purpose is on an individual. He gives an example of a servant working in a prince house and in this case, he is subjected to do anything if it is beneficial to the queen. He then imposes a question that, this may be hostile to the servant particularly if it is not God’s will. This aspect aligns with St Thomas Aquinas argument who thinks that, justice is attributed by God will. God’s will is referred to the suitable act in God’s sight. The will of God is what enables an individual to treat the other person, as he would love to be treated.
Saint Thomas Aquinas outlines that, when the mind of a human being undergoes justification, it should abandon sin and embrace justice through free will. In such preliminary meditation, it ensue the soul movement for general loathing of sins. Therefore, justice occurs when one has a personal relationship with God. Putting our reflection on this, we can conclude that, Justice refers to just actions that human beings do.
Value of pursuing truth
In essence, St Thomas Aquinas project out that, only God can initiate us with the intellectual insight through which we know the truth. This has profound religious inspirations on the entire dependence on God. Descartes regards God to the immediate ground of man contentment in knowing the truth. St Thomas Aquinas view truth to what sets human kinds free. With this regard, these mediations are derived from the bible whereby it outlines that we shall no the truth and the truth shall set us a free. This implies that, truth has value of setting humankind free. Additionally, they argue that, God is the true foundation of what truth is all about.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it indeed true that, people have different arguments concerning nature, God’s existence and definition of various virtues. As discussed in this paper, arguments differ on various topics. However, all arguments are essential in understanding different opinions that concern creation. As said earlier, philosophy assists to answer questions that are connected to God existence, language, justice, nature of man (Rorty 34). Therefore, the paper has sought to analyze two philosophers that explore philosophy knowledge in various topics pertaining human happiness, the nature of a man, what is justice, value of pursuing truth and the existence of God.
Work cited
Rorty, Amelie. Essays on Descartes’ Meditations. California: University of California Press, 1986
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