Plato’s Divided Line and the Iraq War

The Divided Line analogy of Plato’s Republic presents in a few lines perhaps the single greatest discussion of human epistemology among all philosophical works.  More than 2000 years later, we are still far short of realizing its full implications. The passages identifies an essential distinction between discursive reasoning, dianoia, and a superior form of knowledge, [...]

Notes: On the unity of world religious culture

I recently ran across the following quote from 20th-century Christian author, C. S. Lewis in his book, The Abolition of Man. These remarks preface an assemblage of quotes that relate to what Lewis termed Natural Law, which he more or less equated with ancient Chinese term, the Tao: The idea of collecting independent testimonies presupposes [...]

Comments on “A Common Word between Us and You”

Comments on “A Common Word between Us” In October of 2007, 138 Muslim leaders, clerics, and scholars published an open letter to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI titled, A Common Word between Us and You. The letter was unambiguously positive and well motivated. The summary of the letter states succinctly (and correctly): “The future of [...]

A Reply to Osama bin Laden

A Reply to Osama Bin Laden John S. Uebersax PhD Preface Following the attacks of September 2001, Osama Bin Laden has delivered several addresses to Americans (e.g., October 2004; April 2006; September 2007). Since the American people themselves, and not their government or corporations, were addressed, and further since the people were the victims the [...]

Recognizing the Power of Prayer

The thing about prayer is that everybody knows it works, but they act otherwise. The problem is not that prayer doesn’t work, or only works sometimes; it’s that people forget to pray. Scripture teaches, the saints affirm, and I am personally convinced that prayer works. And it always works. You are not just some lump [...]

Article – Peace as an Organizing Principle

Article: Peace as an Organizing Principle, by By Louise Diamond, Ph.D. Peace as an organizing principle is an intriguing and revolutionary idea that, if applied at the global, national, and individual levels, would radically change the world we live in. To explore that further, let us consider how it would be if peace were truly [...]