Naturalism and Norms
My recent exchange with Taner on ethical naturalism (EN) prompted a good bit of stimulating comment and criticism. I’ve been out of town for a couple of weeks and away from blogging, so I have not been able to reply to each comment as it arrived. Rather than attempt to do so now, I would like … Naturalism and Norms
The Monty Hall Problem – Part 2
These probability tree diagrams represent a standard line of reasoning in support of the ‘correct’ answer to the Monty Hall problem.
Changing minds
A student I ran into recently told me that I, along with his roommate, was the reason he became an atheist. Apparently when in a questioning period, he went to a panel discussion on campus where I represented a godless infidel perspective, and this helped tip the balance. Now, I don’t want to exaggerate my … Changing minds
The Monty Hall Problem – Part 1
This post is off topic, but there are math and logic buffs out there who might enjoy a discussion of the Monty Hall problem, and I’m hoping to get some feedback on some thoughts I have about a standard solution to the problem. Fig Leaf JustificationAtheists and Naturalists are a minority group. Most people in … The Monty Hall Problem – Part 1
Religion as an inability to handle randomness
One consistent theme in my writing about science and religion is that there is an awful lot of randomness in the world, and that supernatural beliefs typically deny this randomness. Here’s a discussion of some recent psychological research that connects nicely. Religiosity is often associated with an inability to accept randomness. I should probably add … Religion as an inability to handle randomness
Atheist converts after mock-prayer is “answered”
In the news: A self-confessed atheist has become a believer after mocking God by sarcastically praying for his mother to win the lottery. However, his joke prayer was amazingly answered as the next day his mother won $1 million on the New York Lottery Sweet Million game. Sal Bentivegna, 28, who did not previously believe … Atheist converts after mock-prayer is “answered”
“Supertheory of Supereverything”
It’s not exactly new, but I just ran into Gogol Bordello’s song “Supertheory of Supereverything.” Enjoy it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOWx5G76pkU
Unraptured
Well, I’m still here. It also occurs to me that I would have very little opportunity for direct evidence of the Rapture a day after the promised date. I don’t have many friends or colleagues who would be good candidates for being taken up in the air. Maybe if I were to go down to … Unraptured
Response to Taner
Taner, Thanks for the long post and the many insightful points and queries. Since Aristotle is the founder of naturalized ethics, it is really important that we get him right. Aristotle does not base his ethics upon “human nature,” but what he calls “the human function.” (Sorry, I don’t know the Greek) The human function … Response to Taner
It worked for Aquinas, but would it work for us?
I want to pull something Keith Parsons just said from out of the comments, since it ties in nicely with some questions prompted by one of the books I’m currently reading. Keith said: . . . collapsing the fact/value distinction does not need neuroscience; it goes back to Aristotle. Really, the idea that there is … It worked for Aquinas, but would it work for us?