Was The Buddha Enlightened? (Part 1)
Asking whether the Buddha was enlightened may seem like asking whether the Pope is Catholic. The answer would seem to be an obvious “yes.” At the core of Buddhism is the figure of the Buddha. The word “buddha” means “one who is awake” or “enlightened.” If the Buddha had not been enlightened, he wouldn’t have … Was The Buddha Enlightened? (Part 1)
Ethical Subjectivism and the Argument from Outrage
In arguing for the superiority of theistic ethics over secular ethics, apologists sometimes present some version of an argument like this: 1. If theism is not true, then ethics is subjective. 2. Ethics is not subjective. 3. Therefore, theism is true. I think this is a bad argument because I think premise 1 is false. … Ethical Subjectivism and the Argument from Outrage
What Does Philosophy of Religion have to Offer Today?
PhilosophyOfReligion.org has posted a series of short essays on the question of what the philosophy of religion have to offer for today’s university. My response has recently been posted: http://philosophyofreligion.org/
Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
Gratuitous evil is evil that God would not permit. In Alvin Plantinga’s terms, God would not actualize such evils either strongly (i.e. by directly creating them) or weakly (i.e. by allowing free creatures to commit them). A gratuitous evil is one that God would have no morally sufficient reason for actualizing (strongly or weakly). God … Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
OK, so That’s What he Really Means
The following are recent statements by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and the explanations of those statements by his staff. [Note: Yes, this is satire. I am explicitly noting this since the Trump candidacy is proving Poe’s law that reality can become so bizarre that it is indistinguishable from satire.] Trump: Yeah, shoot crooked Hillary. … OK, so That’s What he Really Means
Are we Addicted?
As an entrepreneur, a heroin pusher has a big advantage. His customers become addicts; they cannot do without the product he sells. Pushers have no problem with getting repeat customers. Heroin addiction is a terrible national problem, but it is far from the most widespread addiction. According to an article in today’s Houston Chronicle, “The … Are we Addicted?
Repost: Review of Idiot America by Charles P. Pierce
In honor of the apotheosis of idiocy that was the nomination of Donald Trump, I am reposting this review from five years ago. It is even more relevant now. Mike Judge is one of the most incisive commentators on the dumbing down of American culture. He created the cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead, two dimwitted … Repost: Review of Idiot America by Charles P. Pierce
Off-Topic: Must Watch Video: #Trump Attacks the Khan Family: A Closer Look
From “Late Night with Seth Meyers” I thought the GOP had always tried to position itself as THE party for veterans. In light of Trump’s bizarre and shameful attacks on Captain Khan (and his grieving parents), I have to believe that long-time GOP loyalists are experiencing massive cognitive dissonance, as they deal with conflicting desires … Off-Topic: Must Watch Video: #Trump Attacks the Khan Family: A Closer Look
Changing Ethics by Changing Brains
In his very enjoyable PBS series and the accompanying book, The Brain: The Story of You, neuroscientist David Eagleman writes about the famous “trolley dilemma.” Here is the scenario: A runaway trolley is barreling down the tracks towards a group of four workers. You see that they will all be killed unless you pull a … Changing Ethics by Changing Brains
Melania Trump Speaks Again; Trump Team Denies Plagiarism
The Trump team was quick to deny the Melania Trump’s latest speech was plagiarized. They noted that “four score and seven years ago” is a common way of saying “eighty seven.” Eighty seven is just a common number they observed, nothing special about it. Further, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort noted that the phrase “dedicated … Melania Trump Speaks Again; Trump Team Denies Plagiarism