What sorts of arguments can substance dualists offer? What sorts of arguments would indicate that mind can exist independently of a physical basis? There is overwhelming evidence of the extremely sensitive dependence of every aspect of the mental on a physical basis, the brain in particular. The books of the late, great Oliver Sacks recount … Can you know what it is like to be a bat? Why not?

Insofar as human happiness is achievable, the clear verdict of history is that it is most readily achievable in societies based on the principles of liberal democracy. That is, societies with democratically elected representative governments that respect individual liberties, and which maintain satisfactorily high standards of social justice and economic equity. Examples of liberal democracies … Tolerating the Intolerant: The Central Paradox of Liberal Democracy

In his new book, The Meaning of Belief, philosopher Tim Crane argues that much of the anti-religious animus of atheists is largely motivated by the spectacle of religious violence in our day, typified by the events of 9/11/2001. Atheists such as Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris passionately denounce the violence done in the … Tim Crane on Religious Violence

Ever since Socrates said “follow the argument wherever it leads,” the practice of rational debate has been central to our intellectual culture. The ideal is that when qualified parties disagree you allow each side to adduce arguments and present its case in an open forum. The hope is that, once each position has been thoroughly … How Atheists get it Wrong, According to Tim Crane

A couple of months ago I posted a piece here on SO titled “Just How Religious is the Religious Right?” I argued that despite their ostentatious affirmations of their own religiosity, supporters of the religious right drop their proclaimed religious values faster than Jericho’s walls tumbled when those values become politically inexpedient. Nothing demonstrates this … Trump, Evangelicals, and the Single-Issue Voter

The repeal of net neutrality rules potentially threatens your ability to access content you want (including this site). Call your member of congress: 202-224-3121

Roy Moore’s supporters are standing by their man, despite highly plausible claims of sexual impropriety with girls in their early teens. Damn liberals! Roy is a good ol’ boy! He was just tryin’ to put a little fun in his fundamentalism. Question: How often did the famously homophobic Moore condemn gays because they allegedly target … Stand by Your Moore (Roy, that is)

I am a free-speech fundamentalist. That is, I hold that public forums, including public universities, should be open to the free expression of opinion. Period. Even when the opinion is offensive and obnoxious. Especially when the opinion is offensive and obnoxious. There can be no free speech if it is required that the speech not … Why I am a Free-Speech Fundamentalist

Through most of the history of Western philosophy, skepticism has been the specter haunting epistemology. I am teaching an introductory course in epistemology, and every introductory textbook has a chapter, usually near the beginning of the book, on how to “deal” with skepticism. The assumption seems to be that skepticism is not so much a … How to “Deal” with Skepticism