Rob Colquhoun

Jesus reminds us that it is greater to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). He himself gave his very life through his sacrifice on the Cross.  Jesus also reminds us that “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” (Luke 17:33). We cannot go back to what we left behind, and Lot’s wife turned to salt. To have spiritual progression we cannot be stuck in our old ways. The Church reminds us that through the gift of self to others we can really find ourselves (Gaudium et Spes n.24). This is how we can be truly alive rather than being dead through sin, to truly live in community and to serve other people. Even the great leaders, should in theory be at the service of others. John Dunne once said that no man is an island. The human community by its very nature is interpersonal. The structure of the family shows that each person must be supported by another to function effectively.

 

Through self gift we can help to build up the Kingdom of God. We must always consider the incentive and motive of our actions: is it to help others or solely to please myself? In loving oneself it is also important to take good care of oneself, to take time off and enjoy life. However, a life that radically endorses hedonism, pleasure becomes the only valuing measure and therefore anything can be endorsed. But by renewing our consciences, praying to the Lord to discern our activities, learning social skills and learning to love we come into a closer relationship with the Lord.

 

The difference in self gift and self gratification is that by giving we also fill ourselves. God can never be outdone in generosity. By only pleasing ourselves we find ourselves empty when it is finished with no legacy for our activity. In gift we help to build up something other than ourselves, but it must be performed with the right spirit.

A language for women’s health

 

So much grief and sadness is grieved over the issue of reproduction in the UK. The is a clear division between thousands of women with unwanted pregnancies, and thousands who are desperate for children yet lack the fertility to do so. The IVF and abortion market have tapped into this grievance and have fed women countless lies over their fertility and reproductive health. The IVF market suggests that it is possible to wait longer and longer to delay children for the sake of convenience, career or money. The abortion industry claims that their procedure is as simple as having a tooth out - painless and harmless. Yet many have profound psychological scars as a result of their experiences. Both techniques involve the trivialization of human life into a commodity, manufactured as designer babies, or babies disposed of because the conditions were not correct.

 

Yet at the heart of this debate is cultural problems over sex and commitment. Sex ultimately involves two aspects that maintain its integrity- babies and bonding.  When bonding is only desired and babies are unwanted, an epidemic of unwanted pregnancies flourish. When only babies and no bonding is used, reproduction attempts to take place in the laboratory leaving a gruelling biological process for woman. Contraception ultimately robs sexuality of gift and mystery of sex in the authentic expression of giving life. It destroys moral structures and the spiritual potential of relationships. Using the pill represses women’s hormones and fertility. A lot of research still needs to be conducted on the true consequences of the pill, yet it has been assumed to be harmless. Building a society that sees the true beauty of sex within marriage, in exclusive relationships bound in love is a true challenge in our times- the current message to our teenagers is purely a pathetic message of damage limitation that has no chance of reducing unwanted teenage pregnancies. Sexually transmitted diseases that fuel infertility can only be fought by promoting a culture of life that has the virtue of chastity and the patience for long lasting serious human relationships. Commitment has been vilified as many as 1 in 3 families have been destroyed from affairs, pornography and lack of commitment. All surveys show the collapse of family life has poor consequences for children. Protecting the dignity of the family is another key area for our times. But above all we need compassion for those whose lives are damaged by tragedy, without reducing moral values.

 

The dangers of OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome) have yet to be fully explored after women are used like battery hens during IVF for their ovaries to produce more eggs to increase the likelihood of conceiving.  Similarly, whilst many medical associations recognize that childlessness in women increases the probability of cancer, only 7 medical associations worldwide acknowledge the clear link between breast cancer and abortion. What has most intriguing been known at the United Nations as “Reproductive health” (usually used to refer to abortions) ultimately involves many complications and can actually damage the health of women. But of course no abortion provider would inform you of the true facts of abortion prior to termination.

 

Building a true vision for women’s reproductive health shows that sexuality is a gift. It involves demonstrating to men that women are not objects for satisfaction but human beings to be cherished.  It would show that sex is authentically witnessed in marriage where it expresses its fullest integrity, for unity and procreation. Women’s reproductive health should not be drugged with chemicals for convenience, but has the ability to be truly human when it is natural. The outstanding claims of Napro fertility, far more effective than other contraception, and free are more like a secret in the medical world.

John Paul II - Who are you conference- Brussels

 

On the evening of 22^nd April, I went to the JPII who are you? Conference in Brussels which was an evening to celebrate the life of John Paul II. There were talks from many people who knew the Pope very well and had anecdotes and testimonials about his life. Some of his majestic poetry was read, and at the end a great band called Cardiac Move played a collection of songs.

 

What was most striking about the event was it was extremely well organised, free (courtesy of a generous benefactor) and welcomed people to the Church (a free magazine of the Church in Brussels was given out). Also it explained the charisma and appeal of John Paul in layman’s terms and also was very entertaining. The translation, technical organisation and venue were also very good. It showed that Christian testimony is so important if we are to transmit the faith, and our faith must be seen as credible, able to be lived authentically and alive in communities. What is the most essential part of organising these events is incentive for the event, and helping to transmit living faith. If an event is organised just to look good and mix with friends little can be gained but if it is to celebrate, show the Church’s most outstanding leader as a guide and witness to humanity (as this event clearly did) it is able of being a true success.

 

Venice

 

Next stop on the break was Venice where I met my mother. It is the most extraordinary city. As an island, it is free of road traffic. It is stunningly picturesque, with romantic canals and gorgeous alleyways. It could also be considered a tourist theme park- over 12 million tourists visit a year.  The city has the most extravagant Churches- and St. Mark’s Cathedral is a true gem of antiquity. I did not object to the entry charge for most of the charges given that 99% of the visitors are tourists, there are many free Churches and clearly restoration work must be funded for. The city oozes this image that there was a great indulgent era of the city, the mystery of the Carnival joined with the wealth from trade. What is also fascinating is that the city is extremely safe, especially at night, as normally tourists are soft targets. This is probably because of the low number of residents on the islands and the overwhelming domination of tourists.

World Youth Alliance completes successful training weekend in Mheer, Holland.

 

From the 20^th - 22th April, 17 members of the World Youth Alliance met in Mheer, Holland to discuss key training ideas and the establishment of national committees for the organisation. Issues such as human freedom, communism, AIDS, euthanasia and responsible stewardship were discussed, based from the new handbook that the WYA has compiled. National strategies were prepared for Italy, Germany, Belgium, UK, Poland, France and the Czech Republic and compared to successful organisations that had seen tremendous growth and impact. Given that the organisation is a non government organisation (NGO) and is run on a not for profit basis to promote its ideas in society, fundraising ideas were also discussed.

 

There has been considerable enthusiasm and response from many young people for the ideals and principles of the organisation in the last year, after many well organised conferences in Europe. The organisation is committed to promoting the dignity of the human person in politics and culture, building a culture of life and developing solidarity between developed and developing nations.

 

Over the last few years the organisation has run a continuous internship scheme which has allowed many young people to train in Brussels and New York to be articulate in issues affecting international politics and culture. The fruits of this policy are now clearly flowering as over 50 interns from Europe are articulate in the ideas of dignity, right to life issues and development.

 

For more information please contact Europe@wya.net or go to www.wya.net

 

Experiencing the dramatic processions along the streets of Valladolid in Spain is an unforgettable experience. The capital of the department of Castile y Leon has for many centuries held the tradition of taking the many polychrome religious statues depicting the passion out of the Churches and parading them along the streets, as an expression of penance and piety. This year there were around 60 processions in total, led by the confraternities (guilds) that either carry or drag the statues. Many of the processions have choirs, brass bands and thumping drums accompanying the confraternities to add to the occasion. Some of the participants to the processions actually walk barefoot in order to express the penitential aspect of the processions. The most striking aspect of the week is the pointed hats covering many of the faces of the processions are exactly the same as those used by the Klu Klux Clan! However this is merely a coincidence. The dress used by some of the participants emphasizes anonymity.

            The first procession started on Palm Sunday from the Cathedral to the Plaza Mayor (main square), with many of the first communion children taking part, in a popular but modest procession. I participated in a procession carrying a statue of our Lady out to meet Jesus crucified out in the street on the Monday at around midnight. The event was very sombre and spiritual. An amazing choir had come to sing whilst the procession took place, whilst the many hundreds of people who had come to watch were very quiet and respectful. Later on in the week a huge statue entered our Church along with the whole confraternity in a dramatic scene, in order to meet the statue of Our Lady. The sermon of the last seven words of Christ happens on Maunday Thursday of Holy Week, as 7 pasos (statues) pass during the sermon which continues for several hours. The Chrism Mass in the Cathedral was liturgically amusing as despite the presence of 250 priests, someone forgot that it is usually helpful to have a lectionary ready rather than still in the sacristy if you’re going to do the readings! On Good Friday, all 32 of the pasos pass by the main square in a very full story of the passion. This year the event was rained off half way through, leading to an interesting reinterpretation of Passion! The paso depicting the crucifixion had just passed, at which point it was covered by a plastic bag- perhaps suggesting that Christ in fact died by asphyxiation! The other pasos fled for cover, as many of them are 16^th century masterpieces, and the confraternities were extremely reluctant to let them get wet! On Easter Sunday again in the main square Archbishop Braulio said a few words before releasing many doves free in the square.

            Perhaps the best element of the week is that the passion is dramatically played out in the streets. Some of the statues themselves are masterpieces and the processions transmit the drama, pain and intensity of the passion without turning it into entertainment.  People are happy to demonstrate their faith in the street with drama that shows living faith. The beauty of the processions, the careful planning that takes place and the solemn and penitential elements also make it a rich cultural and spiritual experience. Overall I would recommend attending the processions to anybody, and it is a shame that we do not have the same dramatic expression of our faith in England over Holy week.

 

Robert Colquhoun             Robert543@gmail.com

My Jesus, it seems to me, that as God, You would have carried Your cross without faltering, but You did not. You fell beneath it's weight to show me You understand when I fall. Is it pride that makes me want to shine even in pain? You were not ashamed to fall- to admit the cross was heavy. There are those in world whom my pride will not tolerate as I expect everyone to be strong, yet I am weak. I am ashamed to admit failure in anything.

If the Father permits failure in my life just as He permitted You to fall, then I must know there is good in that failure which my mind will never comprehend. I must not concentrate on the eyes of others as they rest upon me in my falls. Rather, I must reach up to touch that invisible hand and drink in that invisible strength ever at my side.

Weak Jesus, help all men who try so hard to be good but whose nature is constantly opposed to them walking straight and tall down the narrow road of life. Raise their heads to see the glory that is to come rather than the misery of the present moment.

Your love for me gave You strength to rise from Your fall. Look upon all those whom the world considers unprofitable servants and give them the courage to be more concerned as to how they stand before You, rather than their fellowmen.

--------------------------------------------

Jesus, we fall down in our lives through sin time and time again. Even though we are opposed to sin, we cannot prevent falling at times. Give us the courage to repent and stand up every time we fall, so that we do not lose heart in the process. Let us not count the cost of our burdens, but let us be grateful for every aspect in our life, including our suffering. As we can never be entirely perfect, allow us to humbly accepts our limitations, but at the same time have the healthy zeal to strive for perfection which you called us to do.

 

Sometimes, the paths that we walk along in life are not straightforward and easy- they are littered with obstacles, temptations and difficulties to fall over on. Give us the strength to advance on the paths that you have chosen for us, guide us when we are misled, and pick us up when we fall, give us the courage to battle against adversity and the perseverance to continue with our crosses.

World Youth Alliance Training Set 1

Robert Colquhoun

 

1. WYA Declarations
Read each declaration and summarize what the declaration was written for and what it
attempts to convey in 2 sentences for each declaration.

 

W.Y.A. Declaration. 
The declaration was written as a charter to the organization, outlining its main principles succinctly and explaining the motives to those principles in language that attempts to be universal to humanity. It attempts to convey values that are rooted in humanity and also ideas on freedom, culture and the family.

 

Declaration on Responsible stewardship
The declaration was written to expound the meaning of responsible stewardship, and to affirm the need to take care of the environment. It affirms the need to have integral development and acknowledges the human beings as the world’s most important resources.

 

Declaration on the human person
This declaration appeals to the dignity of the human person, explaining this through stating that it is inviolable, intrinsic and inalienable. It also appeals to love and the self giving as the basis of discovery of the human person.

 

Declaration on the family
Here the family is explained and its benefits are analysed as being: learning about love, securing democracy, and forming free and responsible citizens. It explains how families ensure the continuity of life and how media and members of society can create a culture and environment that is authentically family friendly.

 

Statement on Human Cloning
This outstanding statement, written by a genius states a position on human cloning, explaining how both forms of cloning are both ethically wrong. It calls for the international community to ban human cloning and explains how methods are contrary to human dignity.

 

Declaration on HIV/AIDS
This declaration, explains the family as a potential structure to the prevention to HIV, as well as the improvement of health care, especially testing and counselling services. It also recognizes the importance of education and a concept of abstinence that must always be part of HIV prevention programs.

 

Statement on Woman
This statement understands that women may take many roles in society. Women are understood to be equal in dignity, with the gift to others (potentially through motherhood) a key basis for society. Dignity is understood as intrinsic to humanity and woman is also described as an architect of peace in all levels of society.

 

2. Communism Conference Speech
a. What were the underlying causes for the emergence of Solidarity in Poland?
Solidarity emerged in Poland because of the renewal of social awareness and a culture that wanted to embrace the truth of the human person. They were not movements motivated politically but more from an individual basis and aspiring for truth.

 

 

b. What was the goal of Solidarity?
The goal of Solidarity was not to attack the government or power, but to renew social awareness through the tool of culture. It was also to help nurture and acknowledge the truth of the human person.

 

c. How did Solidarity keep its methods and vision clear, and related to their objectives?
Solidarity methods were kept clear because they were working on a local level, through the actions of individuals and because they did not challenge the leadership of the country directly (at first).  It was through attacking the hidden structures of society that Solidarity could ensure that its vision could be clear. It was through the understanding that culture was the most important method that their objectives could be realized at first (and not through political action).

 

d. In what way is the Solidarity experience related to the WYA experience?
The Solidarity experience is similar to the WYA because both recognize the importance of culture in forming thought and action in society. Both organizations work on a philosophical basis of an understanding of the human person and a framework from that. Both organizations have a non confrontational basis and an emphasis of working through and organizing communities. Both organizations have dignity as a key concept of the organization.
 
e. Outline the similarities in approach and method between solidarity and the WYA. *
The similarity in approach and method is that of using culture to transform society. Cultural transformation is one of the basis points by which the WYA attempts to change society. One such example would be restoring dignity to a proper place within society and culture through witness and testimony. Working together and working through the power of truth to confront what is wrong in society is also a common factor. The leaders of both organizations are committed to sharing, trusting and hoping in order to help to maintain the path of both organizations and keep their vision clear.

 

f. What did Communism and the manner in which it collapsed teach us about the
dignity of the person. *
The collapse of communism told us that if the dignity of the human person is discarded then inevitably society will struggle to maintain itself in its current status quo. (IN MY OPINION) It told us that revolutions do not necessarily have to be violent and that political collapse can happen very quickly across many countries. It told us that without human dignity the structure of a healthy society can be twisted and distorted and that in affirming the full truth of the human person that society can fully respect all its members.

 

g. What other elements of the fight against communism are relevant to the work of the
WYA. *
(IN MY OPINION) One aspect is the vulnerability of a political system such as communism despite its appearance of strength. Despite having an enormous army and millions of alleged enthusiasts, communism was overturned by peaceful demonstrations. It shows that the bravery of resistance against ideas, ideologies can have success and that a witness that is authentic can tackle the essence of an organization and its flawed philosophical basis. The vision is also extremely important in influencing culture and politics because it provides inspiration to those participating and it maintains a focus from which the movement cannot be distracted.

 

h. List the similar experiences that other countries had (to Solidarity) in the fight against
communism.

 

In 1968 in Czechoslovakia, the velvet revolution was attempted by ‘insurgents.’ However, this was a failure and Soviet troops and tanks were sent to crush the demonstrators, partly orchestrated by students. In Tiananmen Square in 1989 a peaceful revolution was crushed by Chinese authorities and a statue of Mao stands in the square to this day.

 

3. Insight Magazine article
a. What approach did this journalist take towards Anna and the Alliance?
The journalist took a very open approach with friendly questions in this interview. The questions were asked mostly in a positive way highlighting the success of the WYA and the potential in the future for the organization. There were questions on all aspects facing the WYA from funding, religious affiliation, membership numbers, the internet and the perception of youth today. It is a very wide ranging interview.

 

b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
The disadvantages of having an interview on a whole range of issues are that you do not get to the heart of any issue and you do not do anything but glance over the surface of any one issue. The disadvantage of having an open interview with Anna given a free lance role in developing direct questions into open questions is that she can control the questions and mould the interview into the way she thinks would be best (this could also be an advantage). The advantages are that the journalist is less likely to find something extraordinary in this approach, and the covering of all topics is a great overview of the organization as a whole and helps to make people interested.

 

c. Have your own interview questions ready – what was your last book read, movie
seen, most influential person and experience in your life that you would give in an
interview that would shape the way readers see you and the WYA. *
How do you see bioethical issues developing at the European Union?

 

How can the WYA grow as an organization and how is it attracting and inspiring young people?

 

How can WYA influence culture and how does the organization help to influence international policy (with what results)?

 

What are the universal principles of the WYA and why do many people from many different countries, cultures, religions and backgrounds interested in the work?

 

d. Express how you would answer the direct question: what is the WYA position on
abortion? *

 

The WYA is committed to building a culture of life through educating young people about the value of human dignity and the importance of human life at every stage of life, including the time from conception through to birth. This is in concordance with the 3^rd article of the UNDR 1948 that recognizes that everybody has a right to life. Therefore WYA is committed to helping create a culture in which all life is recognized, cherished and valued.

 

e. Follow up with this question: “So the WYA is against abortion and contraception,
even for third world countries which need them.” *

 

The WYA appeals to the universality, inviolability and integrity of its ethical principles. To suggest that some countries may need medical assistance which is against the dignity of the human person would be to suggest that these principles were redundant in the first place. Many countries in the third world do not request such assistance and are far more concerned about authentic human development with tangible results such as trade agreements. To suggest that third world countries need such treatment can in some cases have racist implications and is in some sense derogatory towards those countries themselves. Uganda has shown what a tremendous success can be had with combating aids using neither of the suggested techniques. 

 

4. Ubuchindami book list
Write a statement for a speech that in one paragraph outlines why the books on the list
were chosen and the key point from each book that the WYA is interested in. *

 

(Correction needed to Training manual – p27 of 127 (p26 on page)  says at very bottom that Chesterton wrote Tipping point- need to cross out- It says “Tipping point is his only published book to date”).

 

The Ubuchindami book list was chosen to help members of the WYA have a greater and wider understanding of important issues that are part of the organization. The diversity of the different topics of the books reflects that human dignity can be seen in art, history, philosophy, humour and psychology. The book list serves as an excellent introduction to understanding the twentieth century and the important influence that human dignity can play towards the promotion of a peaceful society. “Man’s search for meaning” helped to show how when man is reduced to the essence of his being (eg in a concentration camp) there is something deeply importance to all of us (human dignity) and if man loses hope or loses sight of his dignity then his will to live can disappear. “The tipping point” showed how culture can be affected to just obscure and irrelevant changes which can suddenly reverse everything – the most notable example of this was the transition of NYC from a dangerous to a safe city in the 1990s. “Lost in Cosmos” is a humorous book that asks provocative questions about the meaning of human existence. Many WYA themes are evident in the book, and the satirical style of questions (with multiple potential answers) suggests that there is no meaning to existence and there is extreme importance to life’s ultimate meaning. Joseph Pieper shows how the beauty of man can be realized through art. Chesterton writes in Brave New Family about the importance of family life and the enemies of the families. The family is extremely important to the work of the World Youth Alliance. Centismus Annus is a philosophical, historical and ethical work analyzing and celebrating Catholic social teaching. This is relevant because it talks of the dignity of man, of work and the failure of social philosophy contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

 

Person and Art
5. Forward
a. What is Faulkner saying in his speech about the person and beauty?
Faulkner is saying that the person has a certain capacity and ability to go beyond mere actions and processes and that it is not just an impersonal and automated process to make art. He alludes to the potential greatness of humanity to inspire the heart, not just to write for selfish instincts but to “engender excitement” and influence the world by this message.

 

b. How does this relate to articulating the WYA message? *
This can relate to the WYA message by understanding that written documents and articles are not just for personal satisfaction or indulgence, but can have a greater meaning beyond them. It shows that inspiration can come from writing and other arts and that one’s intentions are important.

 

c. Identify one example of beauty and the dignity of the human person from your own
experience.
One example would be the contrast in the way girls dress in the Western world (eg Britain) as compared with some countries in South America (eg Bolivia). There are beautiful girls in both countries, however the dress code in Britain has become over-sexualised and increasingly provocative over the years- this has meant that the dignity of women has given into sexual prowess and suggestion. However in Bolivia, the dress code still allows the beauty to be shown and admired, but in a far more subtle way with dignity intact.

 

6. Beauty, the New Story of Science
a. Outline the relationship to beauty and science that the authors are discussing.
The authors claim that beauty and science are intrinsically linked. The source of this beauty is nature. The simplicity, harmony and brilliance demonstrated in science show how beautiful it is (this could be shown through mathematics). Beauty is so obvious that it takes precedent within experiments because it is so clear in nature and the objects of science. In other words beauty makes science colourful.

 

b. Identify the relationship in this area for the WYA. *
The importance of this area for the WYA could be the inherent beauty of the human person and the realization that values and ethics that demonstrate the dignity of man enhance the human person. It shows how man is beautiful the way he was designed. It can also show that humanity does not need tampering with (e.g. human cloning because it is beautiful enough all ready) and the procreation of humanity happens in a natural and beautiful way without any scientific damage (e.g. sterilization, IVF, abortion) to human life in the process.

 

c. Create a statement using the importance of beauty in determining truth in objective
science and relating that concept to the need to understand beauty in knowing the
truth about the human person by a public policy example in the world today (primarily
in development). *
Beauty is so obvious in nature that it is undeniable that it takes great precedent within the realms of natural science. Beauty can help to show the simplicity of science and nature, whilst it can also help explain the harmony of the world’s ecosystem and flora and fauna. Beauty can help shed light on authentic science that helps the development of mankind in a way which man does not lose sight of his place within the world. When science is used to oppose the authentic development of man, it can bring horrific results- war, destruction and terror. This is never a display of human beauty. When science is used to help improve disease and illness (in a morally acceptable way) then beauty can be shown and the dignity of the human person respected. 

 

7. Barragán’s Acceptance speech
a. Identify the fundamental values that he speaks of in his art as related to understanding and respecting the human person.
Barragan speaks of a host of characteristics in art which can help to understand and respect humanity. The desire for God is a motive for beautiful art and he states many world famous landmarks to describe this. He speaks of silence, serenity and solitude in trying to get people to find themselves and to have a sense of spirituality. Joy is described as potential perfection in art – especially with silence and serenity. Nature is also talked about as being important, and especially its proper treatment. These aspects talk of an understanding of the human person as growing when accepting values and being inspired by art.

 

b. How does Barragan’s vision of the person impact the way he speaks of art?
Barragan’s vision of the person is that he accepts the need for humanity to be spiritually nourished. He talks of the need for silence and serenity in one’s life, as well as joy, peace and beauty. He speaks of art as being able to inspire the human person and to guide him. He also talks of the implicit religious element in art.

 

c. Discuss, based on Barragan’s ideas, how architecture conveys a position of the
artists view of who the human person is.
Architecture according to Barraghan is partly autobiographical. He has been inspired by houses that he remembered from when he was younger. He also states that simplicity can be extremely beautiful and can enrich one’s sense of beauty. The author then finally states that some monasteries that he has visited, by the sense of peace, a solitary sense and wellbeing in cloisters have been conveyed in the architecture. Therefore he certainly believes that one can inspire particular characteristics to others through the use of architecture.

 

d. Use the above information and examples to create a statement on architecture and
the dignity of the person by the WYA. *
Architecture has the ability to inspire and bring about creativity for human beings. Architecture can create great serenity to inspire those in working environments, create wonderful homes and bring peace to the world. Architects can influence every step that we take inside buildings by careful planning and therefore they can change the future. Architects can inspire skylines, rejuvenate cities and inspire hope through beauty, simplicity and design. This can affect the dignity of humanity by improving the conditions in which he finds himself, inspiring his work and home environments and making his life more serene.

 

e. How does our vision of the person manifest itself in architecture? Write out a list of 10
things that a building designed by the WYA should embrace in its architecture and
that it should avoid (10 for each category).*
EMBRACE
1/ large rooms
2/ simplicity in floor space of rooms maximizing available space
3/ location of building (centrality and access)
4/ historical links/modernity or originality of building structure
5/ beauty of building inside and out
6/ quality of building materials ensuring that they last
7/ entrance to building to add impression and effect
8/ good number of windows in suitable places
9/ good ventilation and insulation
10/ level floors division between work and rest in rooms.

 

AVOID
1/ proximity to noise
2/ poor materials/things that might break or need repairing
3/ excessive decoration
4/ musty rooms/dust and materials that get dirty quickly
5/ bad transport links
6/ a lack of ambience/friendliness to rooms
7/ dull colours for rooms
8/ a lack of storage space
9/ low ceilings
10/ rooms that are incoherently designed.

 

8. Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists
a. What is the seminal point about the work and goal of artists that the Pope makes?
The main point that the Pope makes is that artists have the ability to bring great beauty into the world through their work that can hint at the ineffable and divine. The beauty that they can offer, which can be original in its ideas, is a hint of the act of creation of the world. The work of artists can inspire, enliven culture through beauty and lead the human mind to the contemplation of higher things.

 

b. Wagner has been banned in Germany and Israel since the end of WWII because of
his anti-Semitic positions. What is the relation of a composer’s political views and
their output as understood by the Pope?
The pope does not appear to directly answer this question. However, he does address the question of the ability of artists to stir people with wonder and awe. I would assume that the Pope viewed the question of the composer’s political views as irrelevant and the work of art as the only piece of importance. It is the beauty and meaning of the work of art that is needed to inspire society and especially the Church according to John Paul II.

 

c. What is the role of beauty that the artist conveys to the world? What importance does
the Pope ascribe to this?

 

The role of beauty is of serious importance. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council said that the world needs beauty for it not to fall into despair. The artistic vocation is in the service of beauty. This is because it is in the form of the good. Beauty is a call to mystery and transcendence. It is an invitation to savour life and aspire to the future. It can also create nostalgia for God. It can bring people into Joy, wonder, awe and inspiration. According to Dostoevsky, beauty will save the world.

 

d. Write a statement on beauty, artists and their role in the development of culture. Use
the ideas in the letter from the Pope but also include references or ideas from the
articles of Johnson, Havel, Barragan and Faulkner. Finally, include an example from
your own life that sparks the point you are trying to make. The statement must use
the language of the WYA. *

 

Not only is it in the eye of the beholder, beauty is manifest in our universe in such diverse ways. Beauty helps to change the world by encouraging inspiration, wonder and joy into individual’s realm. Beauty helps to prompt love by subtle advances and it helps to point people towards the good. Yet beauty can fade without maintenance and therefore it can also help people to keep the status quo of physical appearance.

 

Artists must engage people with their works of art- and get them to contemplate ideas and meanings associated with their subject. They have the ability to point towards ideas and themes that are behind and beyond the original picture. Beauty can help to bring their message across and inspire others. Yet beauty does not necessarily have a moral function, and does not always have to point towards the common good. Culture is the landscape, language and expression with which we live our lives. Beauty helps to sustain this backdrop of society and can lead us to higher thinks, to contemplate the divine, to consider faith, hope and joy.

 

Beauty can help to develop culture and make it more alive and inspirational. Culture by its very nature develops- this can be prompted by art that has the originality of mastery and the carvings of a genius. A stagnant culture represents a stagnant people- beauty can help to keep the wheels of culture rolling for new images, ideas and language in order to keep the freshness of society running and to awake the spark within humanity that darkens with a lack of revelation.

 

Barragan states in his acceptance speech that beauty and art can help and lead to many other things that are beautiful about the human person and this is shown in solitude, joy, spirituality and peace. Havel understood that culture and art can ultimately change society and the work of artists can implicitly change people in society, and it is unnecessary to use the principal components of power in society (eg politics) to change the world. Pope John Paul II alludes greatly for the need of artists to sustain society and inspire it through the use of beauty to hint towards the divine. Religious art is therefore of great importance.

 

My country home has always been in an extremely beautiful part of the British countryside: the Cotswolds. This beauty from nature demonstrates the love of the creator towards the world and helps one appreciate existence and the most important things in life: love, happiness and joy.

 

9. The Rule and Ravages of Ideological Art
a. Does art have a purpose; if yes, what is it?
Art can have a purpose to inspire and enliven society. Avoiding the drab question of what art is, not all art has to have a purpose. A random drawing on a piece of paper does not have to have a purpose. Yet the majority of artists are either in the business of making money, creating public work projects and necessary buildings or most importantly, creating outstanding works to brighten the days for the rest of us.

 

b. Why would political ideologies take an interest in the creation of art? What can be the
effects of this relationship on art? What effect does this relationship have on man?
Political ideologies can take an interest in art because it can to some extent convey the political message that is trying to be brought across. In the context of 20^th century totalitarianism, efficiency, productivity and speed were definitely concepts evident in architecture proposed by Germany and Italy prior to the war. Art is a manifestation of the culture that says a lot about the thought and politics of the day. Major buildings in cities (such as Palais du Justice in Brussels) say a lot about the mentality of ruling classes and the ideas central to their leadership. The effect of political persuasion on art is that it can change it for better or worse. With some of the fascist ideologies of the twentieth century, a lot of religious art was destroyed especially in Russia. A lot of history can be forgotten about and change can restrict the beauty that can be showed in art. The effect that this can have on man is that it can change his perceptions. Boring working environments through tasteless architecture hardly helps a creative working mentality and when man’s environment changes, so does his thoughts and ideas.

 

c. Can one objectively determine the universal value (beauty) of a given piece or
tradition of art?
It is impossible to determine the beauty of a given piece of art because beauty does not have a universal scoring system. Different opinions place different emphasis on certain characteristics and have different tastes and therefore beauty cannot be quantified well. The difficulty in marking an art exam is an example that the scoring is virtually impossible. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as the saying goes and a personal opinion of beauty is the mark of how beautiful something is for that particular person.

 

d. Is the author's position clear on the ability of an ideology to influence the creation of
art? (Hint: consider Johnson's analysis of art in Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany,
and Soviet Russia.)
Johnson is clear that ideology can overwhelm influence the creation of art. He describes in detail how Mussolini, Soviet Russia and Germany adapted architectural projects in order to promote futurism and modernism in this sphere. The role of Albert Speer clearly shows the close relationship between an ideological government contracting an artist to create art. The construction of modern flats in Valladolid under Franco also shows how ideology can help to influence the creation of art. He suggests that ideology is not always the enemy of art but history has shown that it is very likely to be so.

 

Philosophy
10. The Problem of the Separation of Experience from the Act in Ethics
a. What is the ethical experience (act)?
The ethical act is the actualization of the will according to Aquinas and Aristotle. This is connected with reason and emotional factors and the potential of the act is divided from the realization of the act in reality. Ethical experience is the science of human actions from the point of view of their moral actions. It involves a particular lived action. In essence it is literally the moral life in action.

 

b. How does the action of the person relate to the moral norm of the action?
The actions of a person bring a responsibility to that person and have ethical attachments. The person experiences the moral good or evil of his own person.

 

c. What is the place of experience in the identification of moral norms?
Experience

 

d. Relate the act of the person to the experience of truth.

 

e. How does the explanation of act and ethical norm relate to the concept of the dignity
of the person?*
The explanation of act and ethical norm relates to human dignity because it creates a clear understanding of where the difference between right and wrong is and how respect for others comes about in philosophy and principle. They are important because they represent the starting norm for different positions from where ethical positions begin and therefore it complicates ethical positions from the very beginning. The discussion of whether the act takes part in the will or due to objective facts has relevance to the nature of morality.

 

The explanation of act and ethical norm relate to dignity of the person because one’s actions are related to dignity. How I act towards others determines what status I give them and how much value I recognise their presence to be. If one has a clear understanding of the ethics and the close relationship between the potential and the realisation of the act then it is likely that one will also have a good understanding of the dignity of the person.

 

f. Identify the problem of the separation of experience from the act in ethics. Describe
this in 1-2 paragraphs and make a clear presentation that would be understandable
in a New York Times article. This explanation should be related to the articulation of
“what is the dignity of the person based upon?”*

 

The problem of the separation of experience from the act in ethics is that there are immediate repercussions for the empirical act. The ethical act takes place in the will. Kant tried to associate free will with law; however in reality law is based on reason. Kant transferred the realm of personal experience and transferred it to the noumenal, trans-empirical sphere and made the personal subject a psychological element and just the feeling of respect for the law. In this way he made ethics just duty and this made large assumptions. This had implications for the dignity of the person. If ethics are purely based on the law rather than objective truths then we should only respect people because the law tells us to rather than the person being the basis for his innate completeness and source of dignity. The problem with Kant’s phenomenology was that there was a division of the two facts of ethical life. Rational judgement is divided against feeling of respect for the law. The ethical life cannot be reduced to logic and psychology because ethical experience is a full whole which cannot be reduced to parts and split up. Ethics is based on distinctive method because it is based on distinctive experience.

 

However Max Scheler was a proponent of a philosophy called phenonmenalism, which places the essence of experience back into ethics. It was an intuitive system that supported the intentional act as very important. It rejected duty in ethics entirely as saw material values play an important part of ethical experience. Will was not the ethical backbone to ethical experience, rather there was an objective basis for acting.

 

g. Outline the history of the development of the phenomenological approach with
particular reference to what phenomenology gives to the articulation and
understanding – knowability – of who the human person is. Pay close attention to the
concept of reality and presence in this discussion, as well as to the importance of
emotional knowledge and experience.*

 

Phenomenology is a philosophy or method of inquiry based on the premise that reality consists of objects and events as they are perceived or understood in human consciousness and not of anything independent of human consciousness. This means that events are how they are and reality does exist in front of us. This gives us the knowledge that the human person is there, and that one’s feelings are real and present.

 

h. Identify the relationship between the experience of the emotions and the will in
constructing a clear vision of the dignity and understanding of the human person.
You can feel free to provide a critique or short summary of philosophical thoughts
which deal with one or the other, in order to build up to your point on the validity or
not of the approach which combines the two. (emotion and will). *

 

The emotions are natural responses to phenomena we perceive through our senses and intuitions. Emotions are used to express ourselves and to act out our thoughts. The will however is linked to the desires of the heart and it comes from much deeper inside us. The will can be changed by practice and habit. Emotions are different to the will because emotions usually are engaged with reactions to situations whereas the will is the desire within us to act upon something.

 

The will orders one’s actions and the ordering of the will in alliance with good means that one can be allied with the common good. The person is ordered through the will and correct understandings of ones desires and motivations help to make one aware of ones own dignity.

 

i. From your statement in question (h) construct a paragraph which popularizes those
ideas and includes an illustration that would be clear and understandable for both a
WYA training and an article on the ideas of the WYA.*
The experience of the emotions and the will are two distinct parts of morality. The will can help us determine whether an act is moral or not but it does not have ethical value according to Scheler, but it does according to Kant. It emerges only on the occasion and it is not the basis for determining whether something is moral or not (in my opinion). However, the emotions are also not the basis of morality also because they are volatile and cannot form a basis of ethics because they are subject to human opinions which can change from day to day.

 

 

11. Two Ideas of Freedom

 

a. Outline and discuss the idea of “freedom for” and “freedom from”. Refer to the
sources of the development of this thought as outlined in the article.
‘Freedom from’ is freedom from interference in personal affairs, for example the state being excessively nosy in one’s individual rights. “Freedom For (or to)” to is to realize the greater good that is obvious in society and the freedom to act, speak and express oneself. The source was the thoughts of Isaiah Berlin’s talk: two concepts of liberty in 1958 at Oxford. Liberal political communities according to the article are supposed to give people the freedom to go about their daily business provided they do not impinge the freedom of others. Many states nowadays have restrictions on religious conscience, and many rights that have been recognized by international documents and agreements. States that compromise many freedoms end up restricting their inhabitants and suffocating intellectual development and the expanse of ideas.  

 

b. Outline the differences in the understanding of freedom as articulated by Thomas
Aquinas and William of Ockham.

 

Aquinas believed in “Freedom for excellence,” that is freedom for happiness and the fulfilment of life. Freedom is the friend of wisdom and the development of humanity. It is a great organizing principle of moral life, and it unifies us towards God and the greater good.
William of Ockham believed that freedom was what has been called “The freedom of indifference.” This is more about choice and self assertion than reality and the will is put in a position of supreme importance. Ockham believed in a radically autonomous view in philosophy called Nominalism. This view helped him to see that freedom has no religious nature and is purely wilfulness. In other words freedom has nothing to do with goodness or morality.

 

c. Relate the vision of freedom which is authentic and worthy of man as Weigel outlines
in the article as it relates to the WYA understanding of the dignity of the person. *

 

Freedom according to Wiegel is to help the deepest yearnings of the human heart to be free. He believes in the principle of self control and the idea that freedom can help society be ordered towards the good. Freedom helps to order society toward