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Our Tenuous Existence
I’ve been reading about the recent astronomical discoveries related to gravitational waves and it’s got me thinking about how very tenuous our existence is. Apparently, it’s been known for some time...
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Winter Musings
Winter in the northern climes, where I now am, demands one’s attention. Temperatures can be frigid, even gelid; if one is inclined toward optimism, at least fresh. Outdoor activities usually require a...
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The Basis of Morality
I guess the German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is still getting a bad rap for recognizing, in the late nineteenth century, that belief in Christian dogmas was in a steep decline. And then, he added...
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Philosophical Thoughts
A couple of recent upheavals in my otherwise serene existence have me thinking about the wisdom of the ancient Stoics and the idea of balancing my placid life with a daily dose of worst-case scenario....
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The Seven Deadly Sins
I’ve been thinking about the goings-on in the political realm, lately, in terms of the seven deadly sins the fourth century church fathers saw fit to impose on their faithful practitioners. I suppose...
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Populism
I’ve been trying to make sense of the term populism which has been in the news so much lately. I’ve always thought being popular meant acceptance by a large segment of people-the populus, I guess. I’m...
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An Aversion to Heat
I’ve found myself, lately, inextricably rooted in a mindset of cynicism that I think may be due to being in the heat of these southern climes where I am temporarily residing. Cynicism is not foreign to...
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Limbo
I seem to be existing, these days, in a state of limbo, not knowing, when I awake in the morning, whether the weather demands long johns or permits short sleeves. Well, it’s not just the weather. It’s...
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High Comedy
As abrasive, ugly and, I guess, pretty comical public debate has become these days (although it’s probably always been such, visibility being exacerbated by our competitive media outlets) maybe it’s...
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Contributing to the Social Good
I’ve been thinking it may be time for me to step up and do a little more for those around me. I have for some time been the recipient of a very favorable social environment which has enabled me to live...
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Our Innate Spirituality
I’ve been reading, lately, that our innate spirituality is deeply rooted in our evolutionary past. According to the religious scholar John Teehan (actually I don’t know if he’s religious or not but he...
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What it means to be an Intellectual
It has occurred to me recently that people who identify themselves as being intellectual, or are thought of in that way, are often considered arrogant. There seems to be an elitist connotation...
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In Groups/Out Groups
I’ve been reading, lately, how evolutionary theory offers insights into human behavior. Apparently, deeply ingrained within our genetic make-up, we survivors have certain inherent inclinations that,...
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Absolute Truth and Moral Relativity
I’ve been contemplating, lately, how one might think about the idea of absolute truth. Apparently the philosopher Rene Descartes had a couple of pretty firm ideas about it: he was sure about his own...
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Neuroses and Evolutionary Survival
It has occurred to me lately to wonder how we, being survivors of countless generations of evolutionary perfection, having obtained the genetic wherewithal to be alive at this point in time, can be so...
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Fresh Ideas
It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve had a fresh idea, or even happened upon a fresh idea someone else may have recently had. I’m a pretty firm believer that without fresh ideas stagnation...
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Totalitarianism
I’ve been thinking about totalitarianism lately. This, in part I guess, because I’ve been reading about the philosopher Hannah Arendt who escaped Nazi Germany in the 1940’s and, as a Jew, gave...
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Are Watched People Nice People?
I’ve been reading that there are a number of scientifically sound studies in psychology that suggest people tend to be good, more generous, altruistic when they’re being watched. And, more...
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Worlds within Worlds
I’ve been wondering about this most incredible idea, that, quantum mechanically speaking, there may exist any number of universes. As hard as I try to visualize such an idea in my limited...
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Intuitive Thinking/ Analytical Thinking
I was reading the other day that psychological research suggests that those folks who think intuitively are more likely to embrace a personal god than people of a more analytical mind set. Apparently,...
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