Wyatt Graham

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Life

Am I Responsible for Changing Others? 

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Am I responsible for changing others? Like a friend or someone you know?

I think we are responsible to do our best, but we cannot make someone change. So feeling responsible for someone’s change of disposition is outside of our power.

As I understand it, some things are within our power; some things are not. The future is outside of our power (don’t worry about tomorrow …). The present is in our power (whatever you do, do with all your might …). 

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Technology Isn’t the Bad Guy

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I am more and more convinced that the weight we put on the structural implications of technology and its deleterious effects on us misses the mark. The loss of civic virtues and institutions that had taught forms of self-control, gave community, and more have played a huge role.

This role is often unstated in technology studies. But one reason why people attempt to find community online is because they cannot find it in real life. Everyone is isolated, lonely, living in cities that tend to further this isolation, prevent large families from existing, etc.

Without the traditional mediating institutions of clubs, churches, fraternities, schools, and other such places, people gravitate towards what’s left: social media and community online. [Read more…] about Technology Isn’t the Bad Guy

A Change of Character, Not a Change of Air

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What does Seneca say to a man who thinks travelling will fix all of his problems?
 
 

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What Socrates can Teach us About MAiD

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The Nicene Creeds affirms that the Son is begotten of the Father and not made of God (since he Himself is divine). This observation flows from the common sense observation that human parents beget children and God makes them as Creator.

MAiD either administers drugs or asks a patient to take a drug that terminates their life. Criminals used to die in this way, as Socrates did. Socrates drank the hemlock cup as a criminal punishment for his impiety and for corrupting the youth.

Now, Socrates did not believe he was committing suicide, since he belied suicide was morally wrong. He reasoned that our bodies are not our own but belong to God. We destroy what God owns, our bodies.

Christians have agreed. God made us. We belong to him. We are the sheep of his pasture. But MAiD presents us with a huge challenge since those who apply for MAiD are: Incurably ill and advancing quickly to death. [Read more…] about What Socrates can Teach us About MAiD