Recent Responses
I have a very basic question that greatly puzzles me. Why do we consider reasonable sounding imaginings to be wisdom, for example Plato's idea of the existence of an ideal of each kind of object, such that an actual physical object is merely an approximation? I can see that this may have entertainment value; but why to serious intelligent educated people take such metaphors seriously? Why is a chair not simply any object designed primarily for sitting? Why does no one seem to question the VALIDITY of the notion of ideals and approximations? It seems that we elevate mere metaphors to the status of realities. Why do we do that? I am genuinely confused.
Richard Heck
November 8, 2011
(changed November 8, 2011)
Permalink
I guess I too am a bit confused. Surely philosophers have been questioning Plato's notion of forms ever since Plato. And one could presumably say the same thing about any other example one might care to offer. One could even object to the idea that a chair is any object designed for sitting.... Read more
In Christian teachings, Jesus is said to have died for our sins. Is such a thing even possible? One person can pay another's financial debt, can 'moral debt' be transferred in the same way.
Richard Heck
November 8, 2011
(changed November 8, 2011)
Permalink
The question asked here is interesting, but not in my area of expertise, I'm afraid. I would, however, like to say something about the background stated with the question.
The most familiar form of the doctrine to which you are referring is known as "substitutionary atonement". It was introd... Read more
i have a lot questions about the possibility of immortality , and i want a list of the most important essays and books on this subject .would you please send me a list that survey this problem in rational way ? thank you . ali a. , iran ,shiraz .
Amy Kind
November 4, 2011
(changed November 4, 2011)
Permalink
Vincent Barry's Philosophical Thinking About Death and Dying is a good first source for an accessible discussion of some of the relevant issues. It will also give you some suggestions for further reading.These two anthologies have some relevant essays:Life, Death, and Meaning edited by David Be... Read more
Is this a valid argument? If not, what is the fallacy committed? (1) A hypocritical agent is one that says one thing, but does another. (2) The government kills people. (Through wars, the death penalty, etc.) (3) The government tells us not to kill. (By making it a law to not murder. Murder is a form of killing, thus making it a law to not murder is a form of making it a law to not kill.) __________________________________________________ Therefore, (4) The government is hypocritical.
Eddy Nahmias
November 3, 2011
(changed November 3, 2011)
Permalink
I think your argument is logically valid--that is, IF the premises were true, then the conclusion would be true. And I don't think it commits any formal or informal fallacies (except perhaps equivocation in the sense I'll explain shortly).
The problem is that it is unsound, because it has a... Read more
I am a working woman and I am very confused on my personal perspective on "love". What is love exactly? I love my parents and I also love my boyfriend. But whom so ever I choose, the other one will be hurt. (Because of our separate religious backgrounds, and in the culture which I belong to it has high implications). Till what extent should I let the culture influence my decisions, especially regarding whom should I love?
Charles Taliaferro
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
There is a tradition going back to Plato that there are two aspects of love: when you love another person you desire their good (their fulfillment / well being / happiness) and you also desire to be united with them (in a matter of friendship or Platonic relations this may be just a de... Read more
Hi A common response to the question of life after death is that it can't exist because of an identity problem- i.e. if I was reincarnated I would no longer have my memories and therefore not be me...However isn't this more a problem of perception rather than identity. When I go to sleep at night I am still 'me', even if I have bizzare new memories and have taken on some odd new shape and form. Similarly, if I forget a large part of my dreams, is this some form of mini death?
Charles Taliaferro
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
Great question and suggestion! While some philosophers (most notably John Locke) have claimed that the key to personal identity is memory, probably the majority of philosophers today do not. Most grant that you might endure as the self-same subject despite all kinds of memory loss an... Read more
I recently watched a documentary about a family torn apart by horrific acts of pedophilia. Moreover, a father and a son plead guilty to multiple counts of rape and sodomy. Yet, the rest of the family who had no part in the sexual abuse whatsoever, and had no idea that it was even happening, still supported their convicted family members. Yet, I have a friend who's father disowned her for simply marrying a man of a different race. She was Caucasian and he was African American. I guess my question is in regards to the morality of disowning family members. Is it ever okay to discontinue a relationship with a loved one and if so, under what circumstances?
Andrew Pessin
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
was that documentary about the long island family, where it seemed pretty evidne that the charges were trumped up? (if so, amazing documentary ....) ... anyway i just posted an answer to a question about the possibiilty of truly unconditional love, which seems relevant here ... so check it... Read more
It is said that even a broken clock is right twice a day. But can we actually say that a broken clock correctly tells the time twice a day? Wouldn't that require the clock, in some way, accomplishing some process that attempts to tell the time, and being successful twice? It seems to me that a broken clock can't be said to be correct at all, since it isn't even trying. For sake of analogy, if I ask someone a trivia yes-no question, and they decide their answer by flipping a coin, are they correct if the coin happens to give them the right answer?
Andrew Pessin
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
good question!
perhaps distingish between our being justified in using the device for its purpose from its actually succeeding in fulfilling its purpose. in your coin case you would not be justified in believing the answer the coin gives -- but the answer might (luckily) actually be correc... Read more
A philosopher pointed out the the big questions of philosophy are also the ones asked by all children. I'm thinking Quine, or Bertrand Russell But I can't remember. Anyone know?
Andrew Pessin
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
I've made the same point in my book "The 60-Second Philosopher," though I think it has to made with some finesse to count as being particularly accurate. Young children seem quick to recognize questions about basic principles -- that there is a causal order -- that there may be a supreme b... Read more
is there really such a thing as unconditional love? you love a person simply because of who he/she is, not because of what he/she can do or give to you. a love without expectations from the others person. ?
Andrew Pessin
October 28, 2011
(changed October 28, 2011)
Permalink
why wouldn't that be conditional: you love the person on hte condition that s/he who she is ... does that imply that if she changes in any way she may not be loveable? true unconditional love would be stronger than that: you love a being because it is a being (not even a kind of being) ...... Read more