Free Agents as Cause

The dilemma of free will is that if actions are caused deterministically, then they are not free, and if they are not caused deterministically then they are not free either because then they happen by chance and are not up to the agent. I propose a conception of free will that solves this dilemma. It can be called agent causation but it differs from what Chisholm and others have called so

Understanding Christian's Perspective on Peace and War

Abstract: Problems of peace and war continues to be debated in theological and moral traditions of Christianity.This paper tries to pick two points. First, the Christian view of peace and war. In the Christian view of peace (peace) is indispensable to justice (justice) and include the dimensions (inner peace) or a spiritual dimension(spiritual peace). This understanding is different from a more secular outlook mean peace at the level of exteriordimensions (outer dimension). Secondly, this paper contradict two major traditions in Christianity regarding theplace of Christians in the war and their obligation to participate. The tradition of pacifism which Christians aregenerally held before St . Agustine, argues that Jesus forbade Christians at all involved in the war or arms. Thistradition believes that peace is achieved only through peaceful means. Conversely, Just War tradition that wasdeveloped by St . Augustine considered that Christians are obliged to participate in the war when the purpose ofwar is to bring peace and uphold justice. St.Augustine in two main principles that must be met, namely Jus AdBellum ( Justice of War ) and Jus in Bello ( Justice in War ) .Keywords : Peace, War, Pacifism, Just War, Christian

China’s Rise and its Implications for Australian Foreign Policy

This article places a particular emphasis on the rise of China and its implications for Australian foreign policy. It qualitatively examines the perceptions of China’s rise, its intentions, and the Australian responses, based on government and international organisation reports, and secondary sources such as books, journals, and media articles. Using realism as a theoretical lens, this article argues that Australia’s foreign policy still reflects an ambiguity, as a result of, on the one hand, the economic opportunities China creates, and on the other hand, uncertainty regarding China’s intentions, whether offensive or defensive, peaceful or aggressive. Facing this condition, this article demonstrates that Australia adopts several important policy strategies. First, it maintains a hedging strategy to balance its economic interests and its security concern. Second, Australia continues to rely on the protection of the US. In the long-term, however, this reliance may be changed. For this reason, Australia needs to increase its own military capability. This article concludes that Australian foreign policy will likely remain ambivalent in its response to the rise of China.KEYWORDSAustralia; China’s Rise; Foreign Policy; Military Capability; Power Shift

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Papua 1 Province:An Increase in Case Numbers and the Challenges Ahead

Though some provinces in Indonesia have seen a decline in new COVID-19 cases or begun to show signs of stabilisation, others’ numbers continue to increase. Papua Province is experiencing a daily increase in positive cases of COVID-19. As of 24 May 2020, the number of reported positive cases in Papua Province had reached 629, making Papua one of the provinces with the highest recorded number of cases in Indonesia.2 This In Brief focuses on Papua Province with an emphasis on Jayapura and Mimika, the epicentres of COVID-19 in the province. It discusses factors contributing to the increase in cases and how the provincial government has endeavoured to contain transmission.AusAI

Indonesia-Png Cooperation: Papua Strategic Roles

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have built a strong relation since 1986 under the Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship, and Cooperation. Both countries have agreed to promote economic and political goals. Economically, Indonesia and PNG share a strong commitment to boost economic development in numerous strategic fields; and politically, both countries strongly adopt the principle of non-interference and subscribe to the notion of territorial integrity. To secure the goals, Indonesia and PNG have signed a number of MoUs in wide range of areas both in soft cooperation such as capacity building for oil and energy exploration and hard cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, drug smuggling and terrorism. Addressing the cooperation between Indonesia and PNG is the key to understand the dynamics of West Papua ongoing struggle within Melanesia forums such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).Having said that, this essay specifically addresses two main points. First, it examines the political interests of Indonesia throughcooperation with PNG and how this cooperation affects Papua status within Indonesia.Second, it discusses the strategic roles of Papua which shapes the cooperations. The essayargues that Indonesia uses the cooperation to secure its political goals to gain support from PNG and other Melanesian states to maintain its territorial integrity and to combat separatism and such cooperation is best understood in terms of Papua strategic roles for Indonesia. Keywords: Cooperation, Political Interests, Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Strategic Roles &nbsp

China's Rise and its Implications for Australian Foreign Policy

This article places a particular emphasis on the rise of China and its implications for Australian foreign policy. It qualitatively examines the perceptions of China's rise, its intentions, and the Australian responses, based on government and international organisation reports, and secondary sources such as books, journals, and media articles. Using realism as a theoretical lens, this article argues that Australia's foreign policy still reflects an ambiguity, as a result of, on the one hand, the economic opportunities China creates, and on the other hand, uncertainty regarding China's intentions, whether offensive or defensive, peaceful or aggressive. Facing this condition, this article demonstrates that Australia adopts several important policy strategies. First, it maintains a hedging strategy to balance its economic interests and its security concern. Second, Australia continues to rely on the protection of the US. In the long-term, however, this reliance may be changed. For this reason, Australia needs to increase its own military capability. This article concludes that Australian foreign policy will likely remain ambivalent in its response to the rise of China