Next Year
I wanted to retire this year, but that did not work out. I might be able to retire a year from now, though. There are a number of topics from this year that I plan to carry over into 2015: 1. The End of PoR? John Loftus has argued that public colleges and universities … Next Year
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating College Students – Part 2)
If most people lie and if most people lie frequently, then that is a good reason to be skeptical. In previous posts I have provided evidence that very young children lie and that most children lie, that most teenagers lie and cheat and lie and cheat frequently, and that most college students lie and lie frequently. … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating College Students – Part 2)
Don’t Criticize What You Can’t Understand
Recently, I found myself defending William Lane Craig’s reformed epistemology. I was defending it NOT because I believe it to be true or correct, but because his views were being presented as ‘stupid’ and obviously false. My impression was that those who were making these strong claims did NOT understand Craig’s views on epistemology, … Don’t Criticize What You Can’t Understand
Matthew Ferguson: PAMLA 2014 Paper: Philosophically Defining the Supernatural
From Ferguson’s website: Yesterday I presented a conference paper at the 112th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Ancient and Modern Languages Association (PAMLA). The conference theme for this year was “Familiar Spirits,” and I presented a paper titled “Philosophically Defining the Supernatural.” The topic relates to previous articles that I have written, both here in … Matthew Ferguson: PAMLA 2014 Paper: Philosophically Defining the Supernatural
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating College Students)
If most people lie and deceive, and if people often lie and deceive, then we have good reason to be skeptical. We have seen in previous posts that most children lie and lie frequently, and that most teenagers lie and cheat and do so frequently; it is now time to take a look at the behavior … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating College Students)
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating Teenagers)
One good reason why we should be skeptical is that people often lie, deceive, and cheat. This is not just my personal opinion. This is a fact, a fact established by scientific observation and research. I have presented factual scientific data showing that very young children lie, and that elementary age children lie frequently. Now … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Lying Cheating Teenagers)
Reza Aslan Claims Harris and Dawkins Aren’t Atheists
“Renowned scholar” Reza Aslan wrote an article for Salon.com with the title, “Sam Harris and ‘New Atheists’ Aren’t New, Aren’t Even Atheists.” I don’t know if this title was chosen by him or his editors, but it’s false. To deny that Sam Harris or Richard Dawkins are atheists is as ridiculous as to deny that … Reza Aslan Claims Harris and Dawkins Aren’t Atheists
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Little Liars)
If an adult person is not mentally ill and not mentally disabled, then he/she will answer YES to the following questions: 1. Do children sometimes lie? 2. Do teenagers sometimes lie? 3. Do college students and young adults sometimes lie? 4. Do adults sometimes lie? It take it to be UNCONTROVERSIAL that children, teenagers, young … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (Little Liars)
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (continued)
I was planning to focus on teenagers and adults in this post, but there seems to be some SKEPTICISM about the idea that babies and very young children are involved in deception and lying. Since skepticism, at least critical skepticism or skepticism which demands good reasons and solid evidence for claims, is a good thing … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1 (continued)
Why be Skeptical? Reason #1
In a previous post I put forward seven reasons why we should be skeptical (Reason For Skepticism #7 is in the comments section). In this post I’m going to provide some facts and data in support of Reason For Skepticism #1: (RFS1) People are often dishonest, deceptive, or have been deceived by others. Here is … Why be Skeptical? Reason #1