Effective Altruism and Religion

A new movement is on the scene: effective altruism—the combination of love and efficiency, making the world a better place not just with a bleeding heart and empathy but with a radical focus on reason and evidence and never losing sight of the goal of maximal impact. Its adherents typically stem from strongly secular environments such as elite philosophy departments or Silicon Valley. So far, a religious perspective on this movement has been lacking. What can people of faith learn from effective altruism, how can they contribute, and what must they criticise? This volume offers a first examination of these questions, providing both a Buddhist and an Orthodox Jewish perspective on them, in addition to various Christian contributions. With contributions by Calvin Baker, Lara Buchak, Mara-Daria Cojocaru, Stefan Höschele, Markus Huppenbauer, Robert MacSwain, David Manheim, Kathryn Muyskens, Stefan Riedener, Dominic Roser and Jakub Synowiec.

Misunderstandings of the transmission of the Black Death to Western Europe : a critical review of De Mussis’s account

This article aims to critically review de Mussis’s report of the events at Caffa. De Mussi says in his account that Tartars catapulted their dead compatriots infected by the plague into the besieged city of Caffa in order to contaminate the Genoese defending the city and that some Genoese galleys fleeing from the city transported the disease to Western Europe. Some historians interpret his report of Tartars catapulting plague-infected bodies as an act of biological warfare, and others do not trust his account as a reliable historical record, while some works rely on his account, even though they do not interpret it as evidence of biological warfare. This article tries to determine whether his account is true or not, and explain historical contexts in which it was made. De Mussi was not an eye-witness of the war between the Tartars and the Genoese in the years of 1343 to 1437 in Caffa, contrary to some historians’ arguments that he was present there during the war. In addition, he understands and explains the disease from a religious perspective as does most of his contemporary Christians, believing that the disease was God's punishment for the sins of human beings. His account of the Tartars catapulting their compatriot’s bodies may derive from his fear and hostility against the Tartars, thinking that they were devils from hell and pagans to be annihilated. For de Mussi, the Genoese may have been greedy merchants who were providing Muslims with slaves and enforcing their military forces. Therefore, he thought that the Tartars and the Genoese were sinners that spread the disease, and that God punished their arrogance. His pathological knowledge of the disease was not accurate and very limited. His medical explanation was based on humoral theory and Miasma theory that Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean World shared. De Mussi's account that Caffa was a principal starting point for the disease to spread to Western Europe is not sufficiently supported by other contemporary documents. Byzantine chronicles and Villani's chronicle consider not Caffa but Tana as a starting point. In conclusion, most of his account of the disease are not true. However, we can not say that he did not intentionally lie, and we may draw a conclusion that his explanation was made under scientific limits and religious prejudice or intolerance of the medieval Christian world.

THE REVIEW OF SOCIAL THEOLOGY AND SCIENCE ON THE BENEFITS OF VACCINE IN THE COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The negative public perception of the vaccination is one of the most important concerns that occur while dealing with Covid-19. This viewpoint is based on the belief that vaccinations include ingredients that are prohibited by religion making their usage not halal. This study investigates the benefits of vaccinations in the Covid-19 preventive measures from a theological and scientific standpoint. This study employs qualitative research methods. Primary and secondary data were gathered from a variety of sources, including literature, information media, and statistics data. This study discovered several findings applying the maqashid al-syari'ah theory as an analytical tool: First, vaccines are medical instruments that aim to strengthen the immune system so that it can increase immunity and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission; Second, from the standpoint of social theology, the role of vaccines in protecting and preventing the body from transmitting Covid-19 is relevant to the dimensions of benefit found in maqashid al-syari'ah, which states that the purpose or objective of enforcing religious law must be oriented toward five things, one of which is the protection of the soul or self (hifzu al-Nafs); Third, the religious perspective plays a role in elucidating the reasons for the halal status of the Covid-19 vaccine from the standpoint of its value in social theology. In terms of science's viewpoint, it serves as a tool in articulating how the notion of self-preservation (hifzu al-Nafs) should be implemented through medical goods such as a vaccine. Vaccines are scientific attempts to contextualize the concept of religion so that it can be applied as a method to fight and prevent the spread of Covid-19

CHALLENGING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE LAWS IN THE DUCHESS OF MALFI: LOVE OR LONGINGS OR DEFYING PATRIARCHY?

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster speculates into the tradition of Elizabethan marriage, laws regarding marriage, its violation and the consequences it brings. The drama continues to reverberate among today’s audiences because of the majestic appeal of the Duchess and her enterprising tryst at rebuffing the ‘authority of social conventions and norms’. The Duchess has been credited for her attempt and bravery to choose and win over a spouse for love. Wedding, one of the most important moment of a woman’s life, was seen from a completely different perspective, temperament and in a ‘non-secular’ impression. The woman during the Elizabethan age had absolutely no choice in selecting her prospective groom. Women were seen subservient to men. Elizabethan woman were raised to believe that they were inferior to men and that they must abide by ‘the other’s verdicts’. Disobedience was a crime against religion and the consequences were monstrous. Webster uses majestic traits to exemplify the Duchess’ feminine strength of virtuosity and greatness which instil in the modern audience’s empathy and respect for the Duchess. This paper tries to revisit The Duchess of Malfi, decoding these socio-cultural and religious perspective and the ways of the aristocracy used by Webster, contributing to the eventual downfall of the Duchess. This paper also delves deep into documenting Webster’s attempt to portrays her as a tragic heroine and victim of law. KEYWORDS: The Duchess of Malfi, John Webster, Elizabethan marriage laws, Violation of laws, Tragedy

Through the looking glass: The Matrix franchise and interpretation

<p>This thesis analyses the reception of the Matrix trilogy by paying close attention to the work of film reviewers, and academic commentators who interpret the films from a religious perspective. The methodology of the project involves using a historical reception studies approach based on the work of Janet Staiger. The film reviews display an interest in the trilogy’s action sequences and its numerous cultural references. As the trilogy proceeds, the reviewers become increasingly concerned about the emphasis on spectacle. I argue that these interests can be understood in terms of debates in Film Studies around the 'cinema of attractions' and the tensions between narrative and spectacle in contemporary Hollywood cinema. The Christian, Buddhist and Gnostic religious academic commentaries all utilise an allegorical approach to the trilogy. As a result, they interpret the films through the prism of good versus evil. They also stress the importance of the acquisition of knowledge. In my opinion, the film reviews and religious interpretations share an interest in unity or singularity. This parallels the narrative of the trilogy, specifically the quest for 'the One'.</p>

Through the looking glass: The Matrix franchise and interpretation

<p>This thesis analyses the reception of the Matrix trilogy by paying close attention to the work of film reviewers, and academic commentators who interpret the films from a religious perspective. The methodology of the project involves using a historical reception studies approach based on the work of Janet Staiger. The film reviews display an interest in the trilogy’s action sequences and its numerous cultural references. As the trilogy proceeds, the reviewers become increasingly concerned about the emphasis on spectacle. I argue that these interests can be understood in terms of debates in Film Studies around the 'cinema of attractions' and the tensions between narrative and spectacle in contemporary Hollywood cinema. The Christian, Buddhist and Gnostic religious academic commentaries all utilise an allegorical approach to the trilogy. As a result, they interpret the films through the prism of good versus evil. They also stress the importance of the acquisition of knowledge. In my opinion, the film reviews and religious interpretations share an interest in unity or singularity. This parallels the narrative of the trilogy, specifically the quest for 'the One'.</p>

Ethical evaluation of Labour Union strikes in Nigeria and the religious value of the dignity of labour

Agitations by labour unions in the country have become a recurring decimal and this has led to a series of arrests and death of members in the course of fighting for their legitimate rights of improved welfare packages. In this incessant face- off between government and labour unions in the country, many scholars have written voicing the opinions. While some blamed successive government on their insensitivity to the plight of Nigerian workers, others condemned the actions of workers as falling below expectation as many are inefficient and incompetent. But, an area where attention has not been focused on, has to do with the value of dignity of labour among the Nigerian workforce. It is therefore pertinent to take a critical look at the religious value of the dignity of labour vis - a - vis the attitudes of those in the corridors of power and the plight of workers who are the fulcrum on which the economy upon which any nation stands. It is in light of this that this paper will examine among other things, strike actions in Nigeria, and the meaning of ‘dignity of labour’ from a religious perspective. Lastly, a clarion call will be made on stakeholders in labour matters on the need toaddress the lingering gridlock between government and labour unions in the country in order for the efforts of the present administration at revamping the economy not to be a mere waste of time .

THE PHILOSOPHY OF PANCASILA IN THE RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE IN INDONESIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The philosophy of Pancasila in the religious perspective in Indonesia is associated with social welfare. There are big economic hit and life changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the religious perspective is very crucial to be maintained during this uncertain condition. This paper aims to describe the philosophy of Pancasila in the religious perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: this is a literature review. The literature was taken from Science Direct and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria are research and review. Exclusion criteria are short notes and commentary. Finally, there are 15 selected journals. The journals are summarized and narrated. Results revealed that the philosophy of Pancasila in religious perspective is very essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is associated with social welfare. The religious perspective must be based on Pancasila and motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika to view this nation as a unity. When we view Indonesia as a unity, the religious perspective will be stronger. All of the nations must collaborate to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: the philosophy of Pancasila in the religious perspective in Indonesia is very essential to ensure the stability of social welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strategi Kebijakan Kesehatan dan Upaya Pencegahan HIV/AIDS Pada Wanita Pekerja Seks (WPS) : Literature Review

HIV/AIDS is a health problem that has a global impact, one of the causes is proper prevention efforts. HIV prevention must be followed by the implementation of appropriate health policy strategies in each country. The purpose of this study is to identify and identify health policies of HIV/AIDS prevention behavior in FSW. The method of writing a literature review begins with selecting a topic, determining keywords and making journal references. The databases used include Google Scholar, Elsevier, Pubmed. The search for references was limited from 2016 to 2020. The keywords used were “Strategy, Health Policy, Prevention, HIV/AIDS, Female Sex Workers”. A total of 25 articles were included in the availability and 8 articles were included in the discussion. Factors that affect HIV/AIDS prevention in FSW are low knowledge of HIV, inability to negotiate factors, violence, commercial sex for more than 1 year with a partner of 2-3 people for a night. Health policy strategies in various countries are adapted to the needs of FSW according to guidelines, such as improving reproductive health services, VCT, condom distribution and peer support. HIV-based innovation programs such as zoning for localization areas, health promotion from a religious perspective and the DIFFER strategy. All risk factors that need to be considered in determining the HIV/AIDS strategy in FSW by considering advocacy in the region.