problems and solutions (continuation)

sagdi lang:

In  giving an abstract  question, the  examiner (Philosophy professor ) expected  no  exact (read: right)  answers  to his  question. His  motive  is  to  test  your  intellectual capacity  in  giving justifiable (read: logical) answers.

Problem no.1:  The  professor  asked  his student  to  prove that  the  chair  he  placed in  front  of  them  isn't there. Of  course  he  expected  different  answers from  his  students. He also is  expecting  an   answer  which  is  a direct contrast to his question. Being a  philosophical person, he  knows  that questions  like  this need  a  contrast  philosophical statement  or  question  as an answer.

These  are  the  probable answers : (1)  denying the chair's existence through asking a question such as"Did  you  place  a  chair  sir?"  or questioning the position of the chair through asking questions such as " Did you not place the chair else where?" . The  professor  may consider their answers are quite acceptable  but what  if  he  ask  them, "  Are  you  blind? ". So those above mentioned possible answers are not justifiable enough for  they  all  saw  the  chair  he placed  in  front  of  them .  The  only  answer  that  he  considered  most logical and  gave a high score goes like this: What  chair  sir? Perhaps  this  answer  shows  that the  student admitted  that  the professor  really placed  the  chair but  that question was a challenge to the professor whether to deny or admit the chair's existence through answering. Anyway it  is  the  professor's  prerogative  to  choose the  best  answer.

A  case  in  point:

A  tipsy  man  goes  home  one  afternoon. He  took  an  empty  pitcher  threw it  to  his  son  and  told  him  to buy  tuba ( Philippines  coconut  wine) for  him. His  son  picked  up  the  pitcher from the  floor  and  asked   money  from his  father  to buy  tuba.  His  father  replied, " Bull shit,  use  your  initiative,  you  buy  tuba  without  money."  The  boy   walked  anxiously holding  a pitcher  and went  directly  to  Aling
 Solidad 's store. Having  an  empty  pitcher  in  his hand  he  whispered  his  problem  to  the  good  lady ; at  that  time  there were  several   people  drinking  tuba in  the store. After  knowing  his  problem the  good  lady  whispered  something  to  the  boy and the boy  went  home. When  he  reached home, he handed  the  empty  pitcher  to  his father and told  his  father  that it  is  full  of  tuba which he bought from Aling Solidad. Of course  what do  you expect? His father  stood  up quivering in anger but before he can do anything, his son started explaining. His son stated, " I  told  aling  Solidad  that I am going  to  buy tuba  without  money  for  that's  what  you  asked of me. She  said  that's  okay. I just have to give this  pitcher  to  you and explain that the tuba you bought is there and that it was from her store.  She  told me to warn you not to drink too much because her tuba is very strong and you might get drunk.  And  she  also  told  me  that  if  you  get  angry  she  will  prove  to you that  I  bought the tuba from  her." So  Aling  Solidad's  idea  is that if  you  want  to  drink  and  get drunk  without  money then  try  drinking  and  getting  drunk  without  wine. Then those  who  try  to  give  problems  to  others  are just  giving the  problems  back  to  themselves.

Priests  study Theology and Philosophy.  I  don't  know  if  pastors  and  ministers do. But  there  are  many  Catholics  who  have lost  their faith because  they  felt they were  misguided and misled and were given false teachings by dishonest teachers and so-called biblical scholars.

Problem 3: If  God  is  omniscient then why does he not  know  that Adam  hid  from  Him  (Gen.3;9)? Before I answer  this  question,  I  would  like  to  add few  passages from  the  bible which might make you ask similar  questions.  If  Jesus  is  God why does he not know when the earth will end when upon his second coming (Mark 13:32) ? Why does he not  know  who  touched  him (Mark 5:30) and miraculously got cured ? When a  teacher  will tell her  student  to  study  their  lesson cause  she  does not  know  when she's going to give an  examination, it does not  mean  that  she  does not really know  when  she  will give an  examination. She  just  wanted  her  student  to  study  their  lesson because  she  believed  that  margin preparation is  not  a guaranty to  pass her  examination.  Jesus  being God  and man is  also omniscient ( John 16:30).  He  knows  everything. " In whom are  hid  all  the treasures of  wisdom  and  knowledge (Col. 2:3b) .He (Christ) has  the  power of God and  the  wisdom of  God (1 Cor.1:24).  He knows  who  touched him (Mark 5:30) but he just  wanted  the  girl  to  appear  in  the  public and  proclaim  that  she  was cured because of her strong faith. With regards  the  coming  of Christ (Mark 13:32) perhaps it  is  a  hidden divine  plan  and  it is  not a part  of his (Christ)  responsibility to proclaim  being a  man. In  the  case  of  Adam (Gen.3 :9) God the Father really knew where Adam is. He  just  wanted Adam  to  confess what had transpired between them (Adam  and  Eve) and satan.

Expect more in my next posts.