Website owner: James Miller
Beliefs prior to Galileo
1. Rest is the natural state of a body. A body in motion will come to rest. As we look about us it is easy to understand why people would assume this. Moving bodies always do seem to come to rest. A rolling ball or a thrown stone always comes to rest. The state of motion always seems to end with rest. And it seems quite natural that this would be so.
2. Motion is caused by force. If something is moving, it is moving because it is being pushed. If we look at motion when it occurs about us in daily life it is easy to see why people would think this. Usually if something moves, it is because someone or something is moving it. Leaves move because the wind is moving them. Creatures move from their own force. However, there are problems with the assumption. What force is pushing an arrow, making it move through the air after it has been shot? What force is pushing a stone that has been thrown?
3. The heavier an object is, the faster it falls. This belief is also easily understood. It seems reasonable. It seems in accordance with observation of nature. A stone falls faster than a leaf, or example.
Ancient beliefs were based on observations of nature. Philosophers created theories and made generalizations based on observations. What happened at the time of Galileo was that thinkers started questioning the validity of old beliefs, started examining the basic assumptions more critically, started looking at exceptions and contradictions of existing belief. Galileo started doing carefully devised experiments in an effort to get to the bottom of questions involving motion. It was an age when Europeans had done great things, surpassing the ancients in various ways. Columbus had just discovered the New World. Europeans had pioneered new ground in mathematics and physics. Europeans had a new confidence in themselves and a realization that the beliefs of Aristotle were not sacred or above doubt or above challenge. It was an age of deep philosophical thought; an age of questioning, examination and challenge.
Mar 2008
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life