In 1979, entirely independent of one another, three articles appeared that became very influential, and mark a kind of beginning point for contemporary evolutionary cognitive archaeology. Anthropologist Sue Taylor Parker and Neurobiologist Kathleen Gibson wrote “A developmental model for the evolution of language and intelligence in early Hominids.” Archeologist John A.J Gowlette wrote “Complexities of cultural evidence in the Lower and Middle Pleistocene” while Archeologist Thomas Wynn wrote “The intelligence of later Acheulean hominds” Again, let me emphasize that personally I do not take the position of any of the articles writer as I am more biased towards intelligent design. I am merely discussing the position of the different scholars in the field of cognitive archeology and how their thoughts have contributed to contemporary evolutionary cognitive archeology. Parker and Gibson advanced in their paper that stages of development of intelligence and language in our species … [Read more...]
Contending for the faith: Apologetics studies online at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) Academy
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of information. I had always been interested in apologetics and my training as a lawyer and my being a pastor has greatly spurred my interest in the subject. It easy to loose one’s one faith especially now that information on almost anything is widely available in the Internet. Attacks on the supremacy of Scripture and on Christianity in general are prevalent and frankly speaking churches seems to be loosing the battle. According to the site gotquestions.org, in a survey conducted by the Barna Group it was found out that less than 1 percent of the young adult population in the United States has a biblical worldview. Even more startling, the data shows that less than one half of one percent of Christians between the ages of 18 and 23 has a biblical worldview. Additionally, two studies conducted by both the Barna Group and USA Today, found that nearly 75 percent of Christian young … [Read more...]
The Beginnings of Cognitive Archeology: the foundations laid by the works of Holloway and Glynn
The study on how humans of the past thinks as reflected on the material culture that they left behind is what Cognitive Archeology is all about. And although critics say that the field is highly speculative in nature, it cannot be denied that the material remains of past cultures gives us access to the thought processes of the people that made them. In order to achieve a thorough analysis, cognitive archeology utilizes and combines the theories and methods of other sciences in order to come up with a reasonable and somewhat logical conclusion in interpreting the thoughts processes of ancient cultures as reflected in their material culture. In this sense, Cognitive Archeology is a truly multi-disciplinary discipline. The early beginnings of Cognitive Archeology can be traced to two papers written by South African Paleolithic Archeologist Ralph Holloway Jr. in 1969 and by Physical Anthropologist Isaac Glynn in 1976. Both articles are regarded as that which started the beginnings of … [Read more...]
My Community Organising & Development Certificate course experience Day 3, 4 and 5
Days 3 was spent discussing Social work method and practice. Our speaker was Ms. Miriam Estrada, head of the Social work department of the Saint Theresa’s college Cebu. According to her, in the Philippines we use the Generalist/integrated method of social work practice. Among other things it is characterized by the use of one or any client system as entry point for working with another or other client system. I’ve heard about the terms “case work”, “group work” and community work before and I had a faint idea on what it really means although the english terms might reveal some ideas on what it is about. These terms refer to the work done with corresponding client systems. Work on individuals is referred to as “case work” etc. Social workers work with Individuals, families/groups and communities, and these are referred to client systems which social workers may use as entry points to achieve the goals of social work. The Generalist/Integrated method also provides a holistic problem … [Read more...]
My Community Organising & Development Certificate course experience Day 2
In contrast to day 1, the second day of our Community Organising and Development certificate course was filled with action. Our speaker was Hubert Zanoria, department chairman of the Southwestern University Social Work department. His topic was on Social issues. He divided the class into 4 groups. Then he asked each to read a news paper clipping and have it discussed among the groups as to what is the social impact of current events in communities. A representative from each group gave a summary of what the group had discussed. Issues ranged from the China - Philippines territorial dispute, news clipping on poverty and the revamp that is happening at the National Food authority. Afterwards he then summarized each issue and emphasized the impact of these issues to the affected communities. The conclusion of this exercise he said that while these maybe macro issues, as community workers we have to think of the impact that these events may have on the community. Afterwards he … [Read more...]