Recent Responses
Why did a whole month pass between Socrates' trial and his execution?
Sean Greenberg
August 12, 2010
(changed August 12, 2010)
Permalink
The day before Socrates' trial began, the Athenians had launched a ship, dedicated to the god Apollo, bound for Delos in commemoration of the victory of the Athenian Theseus over the Minotaur. During the ship's voyage, no executions were allowed in Athens. Although the length of the trip w... Read more
Is it true that all people are beautiful? Or is that just a white lie we tell to make non-beautiful people feel better?
Peter Smith
August 10, 2010
(changed August 10, 2010)
Permalink
My colleagues raise a number of points, some rather puzzling, which deserve more that there is space for here. But some quick reflections:
1. Love of the good, to take Charles's example, may be a fine and noble thing. But something surely can be fine and noble without being beautiful. In fact,... Read more
How does one perform a professional-caliber literature search in philosophy?
Eddy Nahmias
August 9, 2010
(changed August 9, 2010)
Permalink
Peter Smith's advice is dead on. The only thing I would add is that, while you are looking through the Stanford Encyclopedia and Phil Index and PhilPapers (which is a great resource), you look for recent articles whose titles or abstracts suggest that they provide an overview of the debate (e.g... Read more
Why does our society place more value on the degree than the actual learning? With Ivy league and esteemed colleges publishing their courses online, it is plausible to think that one could learn as much or more than a graduate, yet that knowledge would not be valued in the workforce or in the field of knowledge. This can also be seen in high school. Less knowledgeable students who earn the diploma are far greater valued than others who may have superior knowledge but did not complete.
Andrew N. Carpenter
August 9, 2010
(changed August 9, 2010)
Permalink
I agree that there is some utility in this way of thinking about formal education, but I also think that this perspective is so shallow that individuals who learn to adopt a richer perspective may learn more and may be able to do more with their learning. First, I think it can be useful t... Read more
Is it true that all people are beautiful? Or is that just a white lie we tell to make non-beautiful people feel better?
Peter Smith
August 10, 2010
(changed August 10, 2010)
Permalink
My colleagues raise a number of points, some rather puzzling, which deserve more that there is space for here. But some quick reflections:
1. Love of the good, to take Charles's example, may be a fine and noble thing. But something surely can be fine and noble without being beautiful. In fact,... Read more
Many people say that the world doesn't owe you anything. Is that true? What responsibilities if any does a person have for his fellow human beings?
Charles Taliaferro
August 7, 2010
(changed August 7, 2010)
Permalink
This is a very deep question! The answer depends upon the existence and scope of what are ofted called positive and negative rights. A negative right involves others having a duty to not do certain things. Arguably, the right to free speech is a negative right, for it involves others re... Read more
Is it true that all people are beautiful? Or is that just a white lie we tell to make non-beautiful people feel better?
Peter Smith
August 10, 2010
(changed August 10, 2010)
Permalink
My colleagues raise a number of points, some rather puzzling, which deserve more that there is space for here. But some quick reflections:
1. Love of the good, to take Charles's example, may be a fine and noble thing. But something surely can be fine and noble without being beautiful. In fact,... Read more
Dear philosophers, I have 2 questions: 1. Do you believe that it is morally permissible for an unmarried person (who has no children to care for) and who has battled depression for many years to commit suicide ? 2. What is your opinion of Liberalism which asserts that a person's life belongs only to them, and no other person has the right to force their own ideals by which that life must be lived ? Thanks, William
Charles Taliaferro
August 7, 2010
(changed August 7, 2010)
Permalink
William: I think Professor Antony's reply is deep and commendable. I would only add a minor point about self-ownership or the thesis that one's life only belongs to one's self. "Belonging" can involve property rights (this house belongs to me) but it can also refer to what is good for a... Read more
How much of my time should I spend helping others? Let me first say that I am a pretty happy person in general and I enjoy my life. However, although I volunteer a considerable amount (15-20 hrs. a week), I always feel like I should and/or could be doing more. I am a college student (majoring in philosophy) who lives a considerably comfortable lifestyle (I have a home, food, etc.), and I can't help but feel guilty for taking any pleasure in frivolous activities (video games, socializing, etc.) while I know how many people on earth live extremely hard lives. At the same time, it seems necessary to spend time not helping others and merely enjoying myself. What percentage of our time/effort/money should we spend making others' lives better? Would it be morally mertitorious to devote one's self entirely to others at the expense of ourselves or conversely, would it be alright to not volunteer at all and focus soley one's self? I can't seem to find a happy medium. p.s. This is a great service...keep it up.
Nancy Bauer
August 6, 2010
(changed August 6, 2010)
Permalink
How best to spend one's time is a question that every adult grapples with. It has many dimensions, including an ethical one. Though the three most popular approaches in philosophical ethics -- utilitarianism, Kantianism, and virtue ethics -- have something to say about the question, none provid... Read more
How does one perform a professional-caliber literature search in philosophy?
Eddy Nahmias
August 9, 2010
(changed August 9, 2010)
Permalink
Peter Smith's advice is dead on. The only thing I would add is that, while you are looking through the Stanford Encyclopedia and Phil Index and PhilPapers (which is a great resource), you look for recent articles whose titles or abstracts suggest that they provide an overview of the debate (e.g... Read more