Machiavelli: A Biography By Miles J. Unger

Excellent. The history behind the philosophy. This fills the background well and brings a much needed appreciation for Machiavelli as more a commentator on his times (and a patriot) versus the evil, amoral manipulator.

Now I have to learn Italian.

George Eliot by Jenny Uglow

Any book by Jenny Uglow is well worthwhile. They spur me on in learning about history & works of authors I've neglected. I'm finding I'm turning the pages of 'George Eliot' side-by-side with pages of Wikipedia, & Open Library's "Mill on the Floss". Strong, courageous, complex characters require close study. From what I've read so far this delivers. Now what can I find about the 1st reform bill? Fuerbach? Early feminists?

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot

/ETCF.019 CREATION

Summary 1. Everything in time and space has a beginning. 2. Something cannot come from nothing. Nothing cannot do anything. 3. If ever there was nothing, then nothing could exist now. 4. Something exists now; therefore something must exist that has no beginning. 5. Things cannot create themselves because they would have to be before they are. 6. If some “part” of the universe is uncreated, then it is superior or transcendent to the parts that have a beginning. 7. An uncreated being is supreme (a higher order of being than created beings), regardless of where it lives. 8. Transcendence refers to a level of being, not to geography. Gen1;Psa33.1-9;Psa104.24-26;Jer10.1-16;Heb11.3;

/ETCF.018. THE JUSTICE OF GOD

Summary 1. Justice is giving what is due. 2. Biblical justice is linked to righteousness, to doing what is right. 3. Injustice is outside the category of justice and is a violation of justice. Mercy is also outside the category of justice but is not a violation of justice.



Gen18.25;Exo34.6-7;Neh9.32-33;Psa145.17;Rom9.14-33;