AGORA .
This week saw the movie "Agora", whose main character is Rachel Weisz.
Weisz plays the role of the philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria.
The film impressed me and I liked the story. One of those findings with which we are to buy a DVD at the entrance to the subway. I had no idea of \u200b\u200bthe plot and not listened to radio commentators talk about this movie. Unfortunately the mass media can be heard fifty times or Maradona said Fort and there is little time to talk about something serious. Or at least something to do with the formation of people.
The film's story takes place in the city of Alexandria, circa 400 AD. It shows the life of Hypatia but with the backdrop of religious strife and power. To start attacking and attacked Christians to pagans and succeed under the authority of Theodosius I leave the pagans of positions of power. "In yapa" occupy and destroy the main library. This was not the famous Library of Alexandria, but a subsequent library.
Years later, Orestes a disciple of Hypatia, occupies the office of Mayor. Continued progress of the Christians but now it turns to "liquidate" the Jews. All these attacks are accompanied by arguments from the Bible that have little to do with the "Love thy neighbor" of Jesus. After Hypatia becomes the target of the Christians.
The film has many issues to be analyzed. I ask those who read these lines to see the movie and not stay with the topic that interests me highlight
Basically I think it is important to highlight the need for a climate of tolerance so that they can work on producing knowledge. Whether they are scientific or unscientific. Coercion and abuse of state or power groups do not help to promote new ideas. Stating that the film does not mention the biggest constraint was the state but of factions society.
Today, fortunately, we can not say there any coercion by the State. But I notice that there - at least disregard for science - in some sectors of society. Many who are enthusiastic about alternative medicines are in the science and methodology of a superstructure of pharmaceutical companies. According to these groups, when a doctor prescribes an antibiotic is a pawn of multinationals arrived with Columbus. It is not a minor issue and we should preach and explain the characteristics of scientific research and its limitations.
Otherwise in some distant future libraries burned again.
