Philosophy

Choose a question from either the midterm or final exam and write 3-5 pages on it. Answers should be typed, double spaced with 12 pt. font:

1. Give a description of Einstein’s opinion on God in relationship to nature and his understanding of “cosmic religious feeling. Be sure to indicate why some viewed Einstein as a deist, and why some viewed him as an atheist. Also be sure to include your opinion with regards to which you believe he was.

2. Why does Keiji Nishitani understand religion as a necessity? Be sure to include his understanding on how individuals come to the question concerning religion, why understanding religion in a purely functional sense is problematic, and how religion addresses the experience of emptiness and meaninglessness in an individual’s life. What is your opinion on Nishitani’s take on the phenomenon of religion?

3. What is the ontological argument? Be sure to include a description as to why Anselm believed that the “that thought which no thought can be thought greater than” is distinguishable from other thoughts, why the fool cannot deny the existence of God, and why the fool can say in his heart what cannot be thought. Also include your opinion on the argument.

4. Give a description of Descartes version of the ontological argument. Be sure to include a description as to why the property of existence is a perfection, and how Descartes uses this understanding to conclude that God cannot exist only in the mind alone. Also be sure to give your opinion on the argument.

ANSWER

Research shows that Einstein embraced Judaism from his early childhood years. His distinction with God became strong when he started his intellectual journey, developing a dogmatic aversion towards religion. Einstein evolved a realist position, developing affection for scientific theories, constructing his philosophy from Judaism’s teachings. The great philosopher was once asked about his belief in God and expected. He said he believed in Spinoza’s God, who discloses himself in peace to all that exists but not in God who identifies himself with humans’ fate and actions. Spinoza believed in a God who is indistinguishable to nature. The God Einstein believed in is superior, impersonal and impalpable but not hostile. His description of God talks of one who is entrenched throughout the cosmos precisely to the definite cause and effect rules. Einstein believed that everything that happens is pre-determined from the start to the end, by forces beyond the human’s control, the unseen player.

Theories like relativity describe revolutionary modes of conceiving space and time concerning their agile mingling with energy and matter. Einstein believed the theories to be following the lawful peace discovered by his God. Despite his description of God and philosophy, one would think Einstein was a religious man because most people did not understand his description. Many people also thought he was an atheist; all this misjudgment was due to his vast and deep philosophical articles. Studies have revealed Einstein’s God to be neither that of the Western religions nor the orient’s religion. His believed and spoke of a cosmic religion. He didn’t have faith in a personal God; one who punishes and gifts its creatures. He also narrates that neither could he nor would want to believe in a God capable of surviving physical death. The great philosopher went ahead to identify himself as a religious under stringent conditions of his philosophical explanation; he said mystery is the real cause of religion; he described it as a knowledge of something the humankind cannot understand, a radiant beauty which is only understandable by the human brain in its simplest form. He finalizes by saying the previous description is what comprises religiosity, and that is what makes him a religious man.

Research shows that Einstein believed his God to be the universe itself instead of an exterior manipulator. The primary reason why Einstein’s religious stand was misunderstood by many was that they lacked the scientific understanding of his description. They failed to relate the old physics world (simple matter dispersed in a vacuum) to the advanced one (things are not what they seem). His belief that God is clever but not hostile meant that even though the universe does not disclose its inner doings easily, it can never torment humankind with out of implausible perforated stories. Even though Einstein did not believe in the biblical God, he still recognized the religious geniuses, who discovered moral behavior to humankind. Finally, he admitted the Science restrictions by quoting, ‘Science can only ascertain what is, not what should be.’

In conclusion, the great philosopher did believe in a superior power beyond the understanding of humankind, the Universe God. At the same time, his understanding of God does not allow him to imagine one who punishes and rewards his creatures at will; he believes in one who is lawful and peaceful. In regards to this description, it is only cordial enough to call him an atheist since he questions God’s powers known to everybody.