This investigation of Miss Porter's short fiction demonstrates that reality and revelation are predominant ideas in most of her writing. Reality for most of the characters differs from reality as the protagonist eventually perceives it. Through revelation of delusions-- both his own and others'--the protagonist may better deal with life's difficulties. These difficulties are represented, as secondary themes in the stores, by three repeated human experiences: initiation, subjugation, and alienation. Subsequent chapters of this investigation explore reality and revelation in relation to each secondary theme. Discussion follows the development of increasing extremity in one's difficulties in life, from the initiatory childhood encounters with human nature and society, to the subjugating troubles incurred through continuing maturity, to alienation and the encounter of death's possibility and actuality.

Trilogy Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI from the perspective of fundamental theology In this thesis, the author aims to finding interesting topics in the trilogy, Jesus of Nazareth of Pope Benedict XVI and their contribution to fundamental theology. The author takes into account the other sources from theological work of Joseph Ratzinger and his production as Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI. Work represents the view of Joseph Ratzinger on the use of empirical methods, particularly the historical-critical method in the study of the Scripture, the historical credibility of the Gospel of John and his authorship and the internal process of the text in Church. The thesis also discusses the benefits of the Gospel of John for internal knowledge of Jesus Christ and draws conclusions from the empirical reductionism for understanding Jesus' divinity. The author then discusses the topic of truth and love as the possibility of recognizing their source in God. Marginally mentions the role of the Virgin Mary and her helping to the study of Scripture and deepen relations between Christians and Christ.

Trilogy Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI from the perspective of fundamental theology In this thesis, the author aims to finding interesting topics in the trilogy, Jesus of Nazareth of Pope Benedict XVI and their contribution to fundamental theology. The author takes into account the other sources from theological work of Joseph Ratzinger and his production as Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI. Work represents the view of Joseph Ratzinger on the use of empirical methods, particularly the historical-critical method in the study of the Scripture, the historical credibility of the Gospel of John and his authorship and the internal process of the text in Church. The thesis also discusses the benefits of the Gospel of John for internal knowledge of Jesus Christ and draws conclusions from the empirical reductionism for understanding Jesus' divinity. The author then discusses the topic of truth and love as the possibility of recognizing their source in God. Marginally mentions the role of the Virgin Mary and her helping to the study of Scripture and deepen relations between Christians and Christ.

This dissertation consists of three essays studying employer learning and statistical discrimination of young workers in the U.S. labor market. The first chapter outlines the dissertation by discussing the motivations, methods, and research findings.<br /><br />Chapter two develops a framework that nests both symmetric and asymmetric employer learning, and derives testable hypotheses on racial statistical discrimination under different processes of employer learning. Testing the model with data from the NLSY79, we find that employers statistically discriminate against black workers on the basis of both education and race in the high school market where learning appears to be mostly asymmetric. In the college market, employers directly observe most parts of the productivity of potential employees and learn very little over time.<br /><br />In chapter three, we investigate how the process of employer learning and statistical discrimination varies over time and across employers. The comparison between the NLSY79 and the NLSY97 cohorts reveals that employer learning and statistical discrimination has became stronger over the past decades. Using the NLSY97 data, we identify three employer- specific characteristics that influencing employer learning and statistical discrimination, the supervisor-worker race match, supervisor\'s age, and firm size. Black high school graduates face weaker employer learning and statistical discrimination if they choose to work for a black supervisor, work for an old supervisor, or work in a firm of small size.<br /><br />In the last chapter, we are interested in the associations between verbal and quantitative skills and individual earnings as well as the employer learning process of these two specific types of skills. There exist significant differences in both the labor market rewards and employer learning process of verbal and quantitative skills between high school and college graduates. Verbal skills are more important than quantitative skills for high school graduates, whereas college-educated workers benefit greatly from having high quantitative skills but little from having high verbal skills. In addition, employers directly learn verbal skills and continuously learn quantitative skills in the high school market, but almost perfectly observe quantitative skills in the college market. / Ph. D.

In this thesis, I explore the epistemological dimensions in the political thought of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111), a renowned Muslim theologian and philosopher, famous for the refutation of the peripatetic tradition by means of a thoroughgoing skepticism. His reflections on human understanding and the cognitive faculties led him to the following conclusion: since reason is not self-sufficient, humanity must abide by revealed laws. While al-Ghazālī maintains that strict obedience is necessary for certain commoners, he arrives at such theocratic conclusions by way of investigating human nature as well as metaphysical claims. In brief, al-Ghazālī’s claim that humans must abide by revelation is grounded on two interrelated themes which are prevalent across his texts: (1) his view that God’s power over the universe is unlimited and (2) his claim that humans are entirely feeble before His omnipotence. In this sense, al-Ghazālī’s theology stands out as a negative philosophy; it is his use of philosophy that eventually undercuts independent philosophy, thus demanding that all persons submit to a higher source of truth, God’s revelation. Alternatively, al-Ghazālī proposes a mystical doctrine to address humanity’s perceptive shortcomings, claiming that the ascetic experience is the best means to attaining knowledge of the divine. I argue that, by pursuing a systemic inquiry into the nature of creation, which leads up to this mysticism, al-Ghazālī occasionally elevates reason to the ranks of revelation. This is because he arrives at this conclusion not by way of revelation, but through independent philosophical reflection and inquiry, one that makes use of particular theological notions. His skeptical refutation of certain philosophical doctrines is followed by his mysticism. In the later stages of my thesis, I extrapolate from this study to make larger claims about the nature of theocratic regimes. In the final analysis, I re-examine his theological and philosophical concepts to demonstrate how they are transposed to his political thought. I argue that al-Ghazālī’s key theological notions strongly shape his main political writings, though he tones down the philosophical and mystical jargon. While addressing the rulers, al-Ghazālī hopes that they could adopt the humility of the ideal ascetic man he has in mind. In brief, al-Ghazālī articulates a politics of humility to warn against tyrannical practice by appealing to the importance of the heart. Lastly, though this thesis deals with al-Ghazālī’s theological corpus, I also contribute to the literature on reason and revelation. I demonstrate that the theological may also contain reason at its foundation, especially when appealing to universal questions about humanity’s welfare.

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It is the purpose of this study to examine Moltmann's theology of the cross and its consequences for a doctrine of God. That is, it will serve to follow Moltmann in his attempt to develop an understanding of God that is founded upon the event of Christ's crucifixion. Under the general concept of a doctrine of God, three principal themes emerge from the theology of the cross: the dialectical revelation of God, the suffering of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. This study is a restructuring of Moltmann's argument that attempts to examine each of these themes in light of the theology of the cross and one that strives to demonstrate their logical interconnectedness in Moltmann's thought. In other words, it aims to establish that, for Moltmann, a thoroughgoing theology of the cross recognizes the revelation of God as revelation in the dialectic of the cross, acknowledges the suffering of God in the dialectic of the cross, and perceives that the suffering of the cross reveals God as Trinity. In summary statement, God is revealed as Trinity in the dialectic of suffering of the cross. In addition, the development of these three themes is supplemented by an examination of three contrary themes of which Moltmann is critical: dialectical revelation and the analogical understanding of God, the suffering of God and the impassibility of God, and the doctrine of the Trinity and monotheism. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

[pt] Nesta pesquisa, trata-se de analisar a dinâmica salvífica de Ef 3, 1-13 e Dn 2, 17-23. No seu procedimento metodológico, o estudo demonstrou a importância da trilogia revelação, mistério e conhecimento como fio condutor da dinâmica salvífica de Ef 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23. Ao evidenciar a importância desta trilogia na dinâmica dos dois textos, o estudo mostrou a sua validade como novo caminho hermenêutico e teológico para uma compreensão sempre nova da mensagem bíblica. Essa contribuição apresenta um caráter metodológico na medida em que o procedimento que enfatiza especialmente a relacionalidade dinâmica e salvífica do texto bíblico ainda não tem sido aplicado nos textos de Ef 3, 1-13 e Dn 2, 17-23. De fato, o Método Semântico Teológico, aplicado na análise dos dois textos, oferece a possibilidade de uma visão totalizante das ações salvíficas que não contêm necessariamente os termos salvação e/ou redenção, mas que são manifestadas a partir de diversas expressões que constituem a totalidade do dinamismo salvífico. Através do seu procedimento analítico, o Método Semântico Teológico oferece a possibilidade de conhecer o conteúdo dinâmico e salvífico presente em Ef 3, 1-13 e Dn 2, 17-23. Será que a mensagem bíblica, como palavra divina que se revela ao homem no tempo e no espaço, não é fundamentalmente uma mensagem de salvação? Um procedimento metodológico que evidencia a dinâmica salvífica do texto bíblico a partir das afinidades literárias e relacionalidade semântica dos termos aborda, pois, uma questão fundamental para a vida de fé da comunidade crente. O Método Semântico Teológico permite, pois, entender como o projeto salvífico de Deus acontece na historia a partir da dinâmica salvífica dos dois textos estudados. A análise conseguiu demonstrar não somente a incidência lexicográfica que constitui o potencial semântico dos dois textos, mas também o horizonte teológico aberto a partir dos dinamismos soteriológicos significados especialmente pela trilogia revelação, mistério e conhecimento. A análise chegou à conclusão que Ef 3, 1-13 e Dn 2, 17-23 possuem não somente afinidades literárias e semânticas, mas também podem dialogar no horizonte teológico em torno aos dinamismos soteriológicos significados pela trilogia revelação, mistério e conhecimento. / [fr] Dans cette étude, il est question d analyser la dynamique salvifique de Ep 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23. Dans son processus méthodologique, cette étude a montré l importance de la trilogie révélation, mystère et connaissance comme fil conducteur de la dynamique salvifique de Ep 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23. En mettant en évidence l importance de cette trilogie dans le tissu des deux textes bibliques, cette étude a apporté sa contribution dans le domaine herméneutique et théologique pour une compréhension toujours nouvelle du message biblique. Cette contribution revêt tout de même un caractère méthodologique dans la mesure où ce processus, qui souligne de manière particulière la relationalité dynamique et salvifique du texte biblique, n a pas encore été appliqué sur Ep 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23. En effet, la Méthode Théologique Sémantique, appliquée à ces deux textes, offre la possibilité d une vision totalizante des actions salvifiques qui ne contiennent pas nécessairement les termes salut et/ou rédemption, mais qui le sont à partir de multiples expressions qui constituent la totalité du dynamisme salvifique. A travers son processus analytique, la Méthode Théologique Sémantique offre la possibilité de connaître le contenu dynamique et salvifique présent en Ep 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23. Le message biblique, comme parole divine qui se révèle à l homme dans le temps et l espace, n est-il pas fondamentalement un message de salut? Un processus méthodologique qui s évertue à mettre en évidence la dynamique salvifique du texte biblique à partir des affinités littéraires et la relationalité sémantique des termes, aborde donc une question fondamentale pour la vie de foi de la communauté croyante. La Méthode Théologique Sémantique permet donc de comprendre comment le projet salvifique de Dieu se rend présent dans l histoire à partir de la dynamique salvifique des deux textes étudiés. L analyse a réussi à montrer non seulement l incidence lexicographique qui constitue le potentiel sémantique des deux textes, mais aussi l horizon théologique qui se dégage à partir des dynamismes sotériologiques signifiés de manière particulière par la trilogie révélation, mystère et connaissance. Il en résulte que Ep 3, 1-13 et Dn 2, 17-23 possèdent non seulement des affinités littéraires et sémantiques, mais aussi peuvent dialoguer sur le plan théologique à partir des dynamismes sotériologiques signifiés par la trilogie révélation, mystère et connaissance.

<p>This thesis gathers together the writings of Henri de Lubac around the theme of revelation. It begins by an analysis of de Lubac 's writings on the Biblical Revelation so as to establish what we consider to be his theological point of departure: God has revealed Hirnse]f in time, i.e., in history and Jesus Christ, and this revelation opens up the depth of nature. This is revelation in the strict sense; the subject of Part One. There is also a self-witness of God in man. This is revelation in the broad sense; the subject of Part Two. The relationship between Part One and Part Two is established on this basis: to understand what de Lubac means by revelation in the broad sense, a prior understanding of what he means by revelation in the strict sense is essential. That is to say, one cannot understand man in his concrete, historical, existential, openness to revelation, as de Lubac thinks him, without a framework of Biblical Religion.</p> <p>This thesis is historical, insofar as it seeks to understand the litetrary career of Henri de Lubac. It is critical, insofar as it seeks to establish a focus within which his work may be unified. Finally, the thesis assesses the work of de Lubac on the fundamental issues connected with revelation, and suggests the meaning of de Lubac's contribution to contemporary Christian thought, especially Roman Catholic theology.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In his tenth-century work, al-Madīnah al-Fāḍilah, the Muslim philosopher Abū Naṣr al-Fārābī posits a solution to the internecine hostilities between Muslim intellectual communities which occurred as a result of conflicting positions on the relationship between revelation and reason, religion and philosophy. In this work al-Fārābī demonstrates that both religion and philosophy are derived from, and dependent upon, divine revelation from Allah to the Prophet. Modern scholars of al-Fārābī interpret his work differently, reading him as an enemy of religion who subordinates Islam to philosophy. In this thesis, after establishing al-Fārābī within the historical and ideological context of tenth-century Islamic thought I analyze al-Madīnah al-Fāḍilah in light of a commentary on the text by Richard Walzer, who is among those scholars who read al-Fārābī as an enemy of Islam who merely reproduces Greek philosophy in Arabic. Contrasting the original Arabic text with Walzer’s English translation and commentary I apply readings of several of al-Fārābī’s other works as an interpretive lens, through which the correct reading of al-Madīnah al-Fāḍilah is made clear. I further analyze the text in light of Islamic Scripture, by which I demonstrate that the foundation on which al-Fārābī’s cosmology is founded has precedence within the Qur’ān. Working in the tenth century al-Fārābī sought to reconcile the conflicting views of his fellow Muslims, in order to bring peace to the community, the Muslim Ummah. Al-Madīnah al-Fāḍilah should be regarded as his crowning achievement in these efforts. / Religion