Reflections Based on the Work of Bernard Lonergan :: Bernard Lonegran Essays

Reflections Based on the Work of Bernard L geniusrganABSTRACT The theory of agency, it has been claimed, seems to involve two strange notions on the one hand, that of a self who is not that an event, but a substance and that of causation, according to which an agent, who is a substance, can nevertheless be the cause of an event. The understanding of the conscious posit as constituted by the operations of experience, understanding, judgment and decision, directd by the Canadian philosopher and theologian, Bernard Lonergan, might resolve the puzzle, and provide the basis for an understanding of human freedom that is the affirmation of neither determinism nor arbitrariness. Perhaps one of the strongest arguments in the proposals favor is that any attempt to refute it in theory would entail its adoption in practice.I.IntroductionThe theme of freedom is an early and bear one in the works of the Canadian philosopher and theologian, Bernard J. F. Lonergan (1904-1984). It was the subject of his 1940 doctoral dissertation at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (subsequently published as bedight and Freedom in 1971). Lonergan devoted further explicit attention to the topic in his study of human understanding, Insight, and again, in 1972, in Method in Theology. Since the revolve around of the doctoral thesis is centred on supernatural grace, I shall turn to the two later works, and other articles, for the elaboration of Lonergans understanding of human freedom.II.Consciousness and SubjectivityWhat Lonergan wants to propose concerning human freedom cannot be understood apart from his view of the human subject who is free. In many ways, in fact, Lonergans understanding of freedom, like his cognitional theory and his theological methodology, is simply an application of a more basic theory of subjectivity.In Lonergans view, while there is a great emphasis on the human subject in contemporary philosophy, the understanding attained is either incomplete or mistaken . The study of the subject is nothing other than the study of oneself inasmuch as one is conscious, and should go by as followsIt attends to operations and to their centre and source which is the self. It discerns the unalike levels of consciousness, the consciousness of the dream, of the waking subject, of the intelligently inquiring subject, of the rationally reflecting subject, of the responsibly deliberating subject. It examines the different operations on the different levels and their relations to one another.Ones view of human subjectivity will be inaccurate or mistaken to the degree that one either does not hint to all the different operations of consciousness, or to their inter-relationship.

Essay --

Humans have and al slipway will affect the environment in some way possible. Every day, the everyday actions taken by earthly concern argon affecting the world more that which we reside upon. For years and years humans have been taking Earth for granted and by ignoring the damage caused to it. Our ways of life are destroying the very thing we live on and if continued, there may not be, in the near future, the world in which we call home. some environmental issues happening today are caused mainly by human activities/human intervention. Some examples of these human activities, which are suppuration out of hand, are growing populations, industries and their emissions, fires caused by those who are unaware and so many more. These growing factors have contributed greatly to negative effects on the environment as well the carbon dioxide emissions that they bring along side with them. Growing populations today have had devastating impacts on the environment. Food industries and food pr oduction companies have been struggling to keep up with the popular demand and with rising populations the situation is only getting worse. According to Howmany.org it is estimated that there are 1 billion people added to Earth every 12 years which equals to 220,000 people per day being born, with food and water becoming more and more limited and the amount of space needed to live decreasing, it discount only have negative impacts on our environment, which is destruction. As human population grows, more space is needed to contain them and to get more space realm must be cleared out. In order to achieve this need for land, trees are destroyed or otherwise known as deforestation. Nicole Lindell, geologist, said we are also losing wildlife habitats, our natural environment, and most signi... ... ice caps were melting to the increase in temperature, world(prenominal) warming shouldve been an issue which has been neglected for far too long. However, it still isnt too late to improve the situation. There have been so many technological advancements which can help slow down the rate in which global warming can be slowed down, if not stopped completely. From electric cars to renewable energy to solar panels, these advancements in science have the ability to change the physique of life, but are not taken advantage of.Our natural environment is of extreme and crucial importance to our social and economic life. It also provides a mental imagery for food supply and energy sources. There is always a limit on things we can and cannot do, the same applies to Earth. Earth cannot provide resources for eternity and it surely cannot relate itself from the severe damages caused by humans.