Intelligent Design or Evolution

I personally do not support the theory of Intelligent Design. I don't think there is a super being out there that created the intricate details of technology such as a watch. I would imagine the world beginning from nothing and slowly evolving. I guess it might be because i was not raised in a religious family. The first and only time i have been in a church was my cousin's wedding. As you can see, i have no belief in what many believe as the God. Thus, i guess it would be natural for me to believe the science point of view but i personally doubt the Big Bang Theory. I was not there to witness it and i really have no idea how the world began but i just see the Big Bang Theory as a ridiculous concept. I don't really understand how a bunch of atoms would explode and create the universe, but i think it is a better hypothesis than a Creator.

Affirmative Action and Obama

I see Obama's election as a result of the affirmative actions organized. I think that his success is not only because of the society's organizations to help different races achieve but i think more importantly, it is the individual. Obama was able to succeed not because of his racial background but because he was able to excel in academics which he partly had achieved through the steps people took to give him a chance. I don't see Obama as succeeding purely because of the affirmative actions, rather i see it as one individual willing to put in their effort to rise above us and lead us to a better future.
I think that President Obama's success can prove to be a unexpected change but i don't think he is a reason to stop affirmative actions. He is again, only one man that has proved to the world he can create change. This should be a reason why we should continue affirmative action to higher levels to influence others to stand up and change the world. Also, i do want to ask if affirmative action is only of the black race because then there is a greater need to increase the organization of affirmative action. Hopefully, now that we have our first African American President, i do hope to see the White House house the future Presidents of other different races and be the successful results of affirmative action.

Deductive Reasoning

Syllogism:
three parts, a=b, b=c, thus a=c
For an example:
All basketballs are orange.
Carrots are orange.
All basketballs are carrots.

Modus Ponens:
if p then q,
p,
therefore q.
For an example:
If it is raining, then I will use my umbrella.
It is raining,
Therefore, I will use my umbrella.

Modus Tollens:
if p, then not q
not q,
therefore not p.
If Danny smokes, he will get lung cancer.
Danny does not have lung cancer,
Therefore, Danny does not smoke.

In class, we were presented with several examples that were not true but were still valid. I know my examples above are not true but they are valid, right?

The Gates of Paradise

The Baptistery Doors:

The Cathedral's style is of a Florentine Romanesque style.
1401 - competition announced by the Arte Di Calimala
existing north doors had been an offering to spare Florence from a new scourge
A total of seven sculptors competed, including: Lorenzo Ghiberti (only 21 years old), Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Jacopa della Quercia
Ghiberti and Brunelleschi were finalists, b/c of the judges' inability to choose a winner, they were assigned to work together, Brunelleschi went to Rome to study architecture leaving Ghiberti to work on the doors himself.
The bronze doors consist of:
20 panels depicting a New Testament biblical scene + 8 lower panels showing the four evangelists and the Church Fathers Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine = a total of 28 panels
Although they were originally installed on the east side, they were later moved to the north side.

1. Annunciation. 2. Nativity. 3. Adoration of the magi. 4. Dispute with the doctors. 5. Baptism of Christ. 6. Temptation of Christ 7. Chasing the merchants from the Temple. 8. Jesus walking on water and saving Peter. 9. Transfiguration. 10. Resurrection of Lazarus. 11. Entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. 12. Last Supper. 13. Agony in the Garden. 14. Christ captured. 15. Flagellation. 16. Jesus before Pilate. 17. Ascent to Calvary. 18. Crucifixion. 19. Resurrection. 20. Pentecost. A. St. John Evangelist. B. St. Matthew C. St. Luke D. St. Mark E. St. Ambrose F. St. Jerome G. St. Gregory H. St. Augustine. 1425 - second commission, ten panels depicting Old Testament scenes for the East Doors of the Baptistry 1. Adam and Eve 2. Cain and Abel 3. Noah 4. Abraham 5. Isaac with Esau and Jacob 6. Joseph 7. Moses 8. Joshua 9. David 10. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. NOTE: The information above is not 100% correct due to contradictions from the websites.