What Can We Really Know

Today, it's not uncommon to get the impression that our claims to know are either doomed before they begin or that they have a status that approaches certainty. The pendulum seems to swing from one end to the other, with our educational institutions too often perpetuating both depending on the person being asked. Yet the question of how and if our claims to know are really justified remains central. * Is knowledge a purely social construct without any objective basis, as many claim? * Or, if we do have some basis to believe some of our claims, are we justified in holding those claims with an attitude of certainty, as others in today's environment seem to imply? * And what role do our quick judgments play in those claims? From the tenor of our public debates, one could easily be left with the suspicion that either we can't know anything or that whatever the present state of knowledge is shouldn't be questioned. What Can We Really Know? The Strengths and Limits of Human Understanding aims to bring some balance to the topic, and argues that while we do have reason to believe that a great many of our claims are justified, it's also true that much of what passes for knowledge is a social product and therefore vulnerable to future revision. Exploring how knowledge can be understood, how far science can take us and what its limitations might be, and the status of some of the most recent arguments for God's existence, it will be suggested that a healthy dose of humility should be reincorporated in our public and private debates.

Different cultures and civilizations have different perception of a history context and ideas. The Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, Demosthenes, Aristotle, etc. shaped Western thought, Western logic and built our thought systems. Nowadays we need historical pluralism and to form a cohesive whole, especially in an increasingly multipolar world. It is said that Western people, from a European philosophical perspective, are only capable of addressing alternate philosophies using our own mindset. China historically saw its civilization as self-evident universal and did not feel the need to justify this in European terms. Despite the difficulties in comparing different cultures and civilizations, this text summarizes the influence between China and the West, Chinas soft power as well as the current situation of China and its way up the global ladder of power. The concept of Chineseness and the identity with the Sinosphere, a brief presentation of Chinas history, geopolitical influences, and industrial aspects, the foundation of Chinese thought, language and writing system as well as technological achievements, traditional medicine, arts, and cuisine are only some of the topics covered in the next pages. In addition more subjects are analyzed that provide an overview of the current global position of China, the countrys efforts for reform and global influence as well as its future potentials. These subjects dont fall far from discussing various economic and industrial facts like the integration of Chinese and European renewable energy markets, the made in China phenomenon, foreign policy, and the countrys position as a rising aid donor. After reading this book, it should become obvious that China sees herself as Chung-Kuo; that means the Middle Kingdom, the centre of the universe, and the worlds oldest culture and society. So one could say that this is what they are trying to do so they can make their country again the centre of todays world. But during their rise, which they characterize as peaceful, they need to maintain global balance and escape from potential unpleasant events, for example one could think of an analogy of US-China relations and the Thucydides trap. Its seems so far that all the odds are with them, their soft power in combination with political strategies, their ability to evolve and follow global trends in addition with a huge internal market brought China to its position today. But will China hold this place? Will the country rise to worlds number one, and in Chinas way to global dominance, are we expected to see any more reforms? It seems that all these are in the hands of the Chinese.

In What Do We Really Know? Simon Blackburn addresses the twenty most-asked philosophical questions, including 'Can machines think?', 'What is the meaning of life?', 'Is death to be feared?', 'Why be good?', 'What am I?' and 'What do we really know?' Each 3000-word essay examines a question that has eternally perplexed enquiring minds, and provides answers from history's great thinkers.

The Washington Post Notable Non-Fiction of 2013 “I can imagine few more enjoyable ways of thinking than to read this book.”—Sarah Bakewell, New York Times Book Review, front-page review Tackling the “darkest question in all of philosophy” with “raffish erudition” (Dwight Garner, New York Times), author Jim Holt explores the greatest metaphysical mystery of all: why is there something rather than nothing? This runaway bestseller, which has captured the imagination of critics and the public alike, traces our latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe. Holt adopts the role of cosmological detective, traveling the globe to interview a host of celebrated scientists, philosophers, and writers, “testing the contentions of one against the theories of the other” (Jeremy Bernstein, Wall Street Journal). As he interrogates his list of ontological culprits, the brilliant yet slyly humorous Holt contends that we might have been too narrow in limiting our suspects to God versus the Big Bang. This “deft and consuming” (David Ulin, Los Angeles Times) narrative humanizes the profound questions of meaning and existence it confronts.

This book is giving you a fairly detailed blow by blow rendition into my life, delusions, and episodes of my mental health state. I know you will enjoy it! If it is not for my wonderful family and my fantastic friends along my torrid journey, I don’t think I would be here today to tell you my story, so sit back and ready my story. And if I can save three or four lives by someone reading this and getting inspired and helping someone get well from this condition, I have achieved something in life. I have a great wife who has kept my feet firmly on the ground; she is my rock. Thank you.

Knowing Jesus is like no other relationship you've ever experienced. Cheerful artwork with a modern whimsical style wraps around honest, easy-to-understand answers to your toughest questions about the Savior, his invitation to salvation, and the assurance that God really does hear our prayers. Can I Really Know Jesus? will inspire and offer comfort as you grow closer to God and gain a better understanding of why he sent his Son to earth, what it means to have salvation, and how prayer can deeply impact your life. Also serves as a heartfelt gift of love and promise to those who are considering faith or are new believers.

Abba Daddy (God) has already done all He is going to do. Our Lord did it all two thousand years ago. The Father loved you while you were still a sinner (Ephesians 1:4). Stop asking and begging or thinking the lies from Satan, God is not mad at you! Position yourself by Faith in response to what our Lord God already has done for us. Rest in the finished work of Jesus.