Category Archives: Philosophy
What you didn’t know about positivism
In this published version of the Terry lectures, delivered at Yale University last year, the novelist Marilynne Robinson argues that positivism, the belief that science is the only reliable means to truth, has adopted a “systematically reductionist” view of human … Continue reading
The maddening bliss
Yesterday, as I was browsing through google news, I stumbled upon an article decrying the “Gospel of Scientific Materialism.” The article was posted on first things, a christian fundamentalist website, so one has to wonder – I certainly did – … Continue reading
Bertrand
bertrand, n. (1) A state of profound abstraction of mind and spirit; a trance. “He went into a bertrand and began to babble about the class of all classes which are not member of themselves.” (2) The state of a … Continue reading
wittgenstone
wittgenstone (from Old High Anglo-Austrian, witty and Stein) (1) v. To deny resolutely the existence or importance of something real or significant, on the ground that the grammatical pre-conditions for such a denial do not obtain. “Some think qualia should … Continue reading
A. C. Grayling
I’ve read a couple of his books, I’ve heard a few of his speeches. Professor A. C. Grayling is one of the good guys.
Bertrand Russell at 87 – Spry, mischievous, articulate
At 89, two years after this interview, Berty Russell was arrested at an anti-nuclear sit-in in parliament square, and sentenced to 7 days in jail.
Hitchens and Fry vs. Ann Widdecombe on The Ten Commandments
I just don’t understand. What kind of person goes out and votes for Ann Widdecombe? (That look Hitchens is giving her is priceless. “Woman, are you for real?”)
Dark day for Ireland
Starting today, blasphemy is a crime in Ireland. Which is really confusing. After all these scandals concerning the catholic church in Ireland, you’d think the Irish would want to cut themselves some slack. Anyway, Atheist Ireland has began a campaign … Continue reading
Expand Your Mind: Getting a Grasp on Consciousness
An interesting talk by Shulgin, Koch, Churchland, and Flatow at MIT World. Flatow not only manages to mispronounce Koch’s name when he introduces him, he also mocks his (german) accent by saying “he will be back” after Koch leaves the … Continue reading
Christopher Hitchens debates Jay Richards
This is the first part of a long debate – go to youtube for the rest, I couldn’t be bothered. Jay Richards is a bullshitter. It is clear that he willfully misinterprets and manipulates the relevant science and philosophy to … Continue reading
The Evolution of Confusion
Daniel Dennett at his best. And I learned a new word: deepity.
Hitchens, Harris, Dennett vs Boteach, D’Souza, Taleb
Truly remarkable. … See, I new that “Black Swan” guy was up to no good. By the way, you can view this on HD on youtube.
Roger Penrose
Roger Penrose, advocate of the quantum theory of mind, says physics is wrong, from string theory to quantum mechanics. He’s so wrong.