Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Philosophy

Beginning with the seemingly simple question "what is human?" Fr. FitzGerald investigates the implications of modern science. Several lectures are devoted to stem cells. What are they, where do they come from, and how are they used? Does it matter if a stem cell comes from an embryo versus bone marrow, the placenta, or skin? Examine the promise and dangers of stem cell research. The world marveled at Dolly, the first cloned sheep, and now cloning is widespread. What is cloning, how is it done, and are humans being cloned now?

Is causation a fundamental principle that orders the universe, or a construct invented by human beings? What does it mean to exist? In this provocative audio series, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, creator and host of the hit PBS series Closer to Truth, probes causality, existence, and other heady philosophical topics in intimate conversations with 13 of the world’s greatest thinkers. Known for his erudite yet down-to-earth interviews, Kuhn takes you on a fascinating and accessible journey into the world of philosophy.

What is truth? As humans, how can we know what is real? How can the philosophies of science, cosmology, and biology help us understand the mysteries of our existence? In this compelling audio series, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, creator and host of the hit PBS series Closer to Truth, probes the nature of truth and other heady philosophical questions in intimate conversations with 13 of the world’s greatest thinkers.

This series will stimulate your mind through a collection of profound and timeless questions about free will and determinism. As you analyze these competing philosophies, you will find that every answer raises fascinating new questions about morality, fate, consciousness, and the existence of a higher power. In this series of three episodes, host Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn welcomes a total of 18 guest experts to discuss free will. Each episode is crafted as a series of one-on-one interviews.

In this tour de force, the University of Oxford’s Dr. Tim Mawson turns a thoughtful eye to the questions about existence you have undoubtedly asked yourself. An expert on the philosophy of religion, Dr. Mawson combines wit with masterful scholarship to explain deep philosophical topics in an easy-to-understand yet erudite manner.

For much of Western history, belief in God seemed universal. As society has grown more secular, however, people have increasingly expressed disbelief in God. Today, a quarter of Americans are religiously unaffiliated, with many identifying as atheists. As the number of atheists has grown, so too have debates around the legitimacy of religion. Too often, these debates have been marked by misunderstanding on both sides.

How can Aristotle help you become a better person? In this course by award-winning teacher and leading Aristotle expert Prof. Cary J. Nederman (PhD, York University), you will become a more ethical person as you explore Aristotelian thought. The word "politics" is an often-controversial term in our day, conjuring associations with partisanship and subterfuge. But as conceived by the ancient Greeks, politics was essential for becoming a virtuous person. Learn from one of the leading experts on Aristotle and political theory.

This course is recommended for anyone who has reflected on God and suffering. Explore the approaches to suffering found in the Bible with gifted presenter Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, PhD. You will examine the classical Christian perspectives on God found in the writings of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and then explore the insights of significant Jewish and Christian thinkers who have reflected on God and suffering in modern times.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summarizes the core message of his teaching: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.” Sometimes written as “treat others as you want to be treated”, the Golden Rule is the basis for a powerful ethical system. Under the guidance of acclaimed Catholic philosophy professor Fr. Harry Gensler, S.J., you will explore its applications in Scripture, philosophy, and modern life in this compelling audio series.

As you will see, the history and methods of philosophy are deeply intertwined with those of religion. Learning about the philosophy of religion will help you understand your own Christian faith as never before. In these insightful lectures, you will join Fr. Joseph J. Godfrey in exploring ideas that have captured the imaginations of scholars and everyday believers alike.

While science and religion have often been seen as contradictory forces, in reality they complement each other. Indeed, Catholics have often been at the forefront of scientific discovery. Now you can join a leading Catholic scientist in examining the most vital questions about the universe. Your guide, Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, deals with big things - stars, galaxies, and unfathomable distances - but that's not the kind of "bigness" that you will explore here. Instead you will tackle the hows and whys of the universe.

Whether you’re a devoted believer, a staunch atheist, or a wavering skeptic, you likely have unanswered questions about religion. If you adhere to a certain religion, you may wonder how the tenets of a different faith may intersect or conflict with yours. If you are a nonbeliever or agnostic, you may wonder how others can have such unwavering faith. In this riveting audio series, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn welcomes 13 esteemed guest experts to help him tackle religion’s most confounding questions.

Do you create your own destiny? Or do you merely play whatever hand the universe has dealt you? This provocative audieries will stimulate your mind by raising these and other timeless questions about free will and determinism. In this series, host Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn welcomes a total of 13 guest experts to discuss free will, identity, and the possibility of the afterlife. Each episode is crafted as a series of one-on-one interviews.

With a goal of expanding the minds of lifelong learners, celebrated philosophy professor Kevin Corcoran engages thinkers from Descartes to David Foster Wallace to help you discover truth and tackle the big questions of our existence. Through this compelling 15-lecture course, you’ll develop critical thinking skills that will bring clarity and focus to your daily life. Prof. Corcoran begins with Aristotle’s maxim that “philosophy begins in wonder.”

Until recently, the world’s religious traditions existed in different spheres, separated by barriers of culture and geography. Now, Wisdom from the World’s Religions folds the teachings of the great faith traditions into one easy and illuminating educational experience. Grounded in a comparative religionist approach, this audio series introduces you to the principles and practices of 11 major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Taoism, and Bahá'í.

Why has science - religion dialogue gotten so heated? What do the world’s leading experts see as the path forward? For some, science and religion occupy separate, irreconcilable spheres. For others, they share a common goal: to explore big questions and synthesize knowledge. Now, in this series of 17 one-on-one interviews, you have the privilege of hearing from leading voices in the debate. Most of the featured experts are professional scientists. While some consider religion irrelevant to science, many more find fulfillment in harmonizing their work with their beliefs.

Whether you’re a believer or nonbeliever, you’ve undoubtedly struggled to understand the existence of evil in our world. Now, in light of huge strides in psychology and neuroscience, this compelling series invites you to reconsider the problem of evil with today’s leading minds. In simplest terms, the “problem of evil” questions whether an almighty, all-knowing, and benevolent God can coexist with the evil we witness in the world.

What happens when we die? There is no bigger question, and no shortage of potential answers. In this series of three episodes, your host, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, holds 16 engaging interviews with an eclectic lineup of experts. Bursting at the seams with high-caliber thinkers, these three episodes promise to expand your view of the afterlife.

Can our physical brains fully explain the phenomenon of our minds? The same question that Descartes pondered in the 17th century continues to fascinate philosophers, theologians, and scientists in the 21st. Now, in this engaging three-part series, your host, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, conducts wide-ranging interviews with 13 leading experts about the relationship between brain and mind. Each episode is crafted as a series of one-on-one interviews that respond to the title question.

How do the microscopic particles that make up our brains cause us to experience the tranquil beauty of a setting sun, the haunting strains of Mozart’s "Requiem", or the flush of romantic love? How, in short, can consciousness be explained? In this three-part series, neuroscientist Robert Lawrence Kuhn interviews 18 guest experts about the nuts and bolts of consciousness as well its illusory aspects.