Recent Responses
What is a definition of good and also what would a definition of evil or bad be?
Matthew Silverstein
February 1, 2008
(changed February 1, 2008)
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At the turn of the last century, G.E. Moore famously argued that the word "good" can'tbe defined. Goodness, according to Moore, is simple and (hence) undefinable.The same might be true of the word "value" and its cognates.
Of course, there are some definitions that promise to be relat... Read more
Recently, my stepsons' mother told my husband and me that her husband has been hurting her children (my stepsons). The last incident (the worst, she said) involved him "spanking" the youngest hard enough to leave a long bruise and picking them both up by the head, shaking them and screaming into their faces. He has a long history with CPS and I have spoken with his ex-wife who believes he has been molesting her daughter, as well as abusing her daughter and son (the reason she divorced him). The boys' mother seemed very concerned at first, using terms like "It's a deal-breaker. He can't beat my kids," but has changed her tune to "God made marriage first and children second, so I have to stand by my husband. Children leave you, a spouse is forever." My husband and I have contacted CPS and all have been interviewed. CPS said that they have determined abuse has taken place, but it doesn't look like they are going to do much about it. All that has been done so far is the boys' mother and stepfather have signed a contract stating that their stepfather is not allowed to be alone with the boys, discipline the boys (verbally or physically) and that their mother is not allowed to discipline them physically. The boys are already staying with their mother and stepfather 50% of the time. Since the contract was signed, the children have said that their stepfather has started to kick and hit the dogs (stating that they are animals, so it doesn't hurt them). My husband seems relieved that the drama is over and doesn't want to take any further action. I'm afraid he is in denial. As a concerned stepparent, do I have an obligation to do more than has been done regardless of my husband's preference to let it go? I believe that the boys are in danger of being injured or worse. Would it be more harmful to them to try to remove their stepfather from their lives, or to hope that he can learn (at age 45) to control his temper?
Matthew Silverstein
February 1, 2008
(changed February 1, 2008)
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You ask two questions:
1. As a concerned stepparent, do I have anobligation to do more than has been done regardless of my husband'spreference to let it go?
2. Would it be more harmful to them to try toremove their stepfather from their lives, or to hope that he can learn(at age 45) t... Read more
To accuse someone of lying what evidence must one have? Let us assume that someone argued that Saddam Hussein had WMD. We now know that to be incorrect. What is the missing element to evidence that s/he was lying other than a personal statement from her/him to that effect?
Joseph Levine
February 1, 2008
(changed February 1, 2008)
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Lying involves an intentional act of deception. If someone truly believed that Iraq before the US invasion possessed WMD and asserted as much, this wouldn't be a case of lying. We all make claims from time to time that turn out to be false, but we are not (usually - see below) morally cul... Read more
I believe that Kant defended the "law of cause and effect" by stating this argument: (P) If we didn't understand or acknowledge the law of cause and effect, we couldn't have any knowledge. (Q) We have knowledge. Therefore: (P) we acknowledge the law of cause and effect. Isn't this line of reasoning a fallacy? P implies Q, Q, : P
Peter S. Fosl
February 1, 2008
(changed February 1, 2008)
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You have certainly put your finger on a complex issue. One might say you've got a dragon by the tail.
First, I should call your attention to the fact that you've rendered his argument in two logically different ways. The first rendering is actually a valid form of deductive inference, n... Read more
My first question on this site: What questions should we put to philosphers? One of Kalynne's suggestions: You might ask what makes an answer to a given question a good one. Thanks, Kalynne! My question now: Are there some common parameters by which the "correctness" of an answer can be judged? I mean apart from logical coherence and factual accuracy, what else? I have a feeling that there is some textbook/weblink which has the answer for this. If yes, pls direct me to it.
Kalynne Pudner
January 31, 2008
(changed January 31, 2008)
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Oliver is right, of course. (I feel obliged to offer an answer since I set up the question.) Sometimes it may seem as though philosophers are deliberately and mischievously obfuscatory, but this is more likely the result of living amidst the trees so long that memory of the forest has fa... Read more
I believe that Kant defended the "law of cause and effect" by stating this argument: (P) If we didn't understand or acknowledge the law of cause and effect, we couldn't have any knowledge. (Q) We have knowledge. Therefore: (P) we acknowledge the law of cause and effect. Isn't this line of reasoning a fallacy? P implies Q, Q, : P
Peter S. Fosl
February 1, 2008
(changed February 1, 2008)
Permalink
You have certainly put your finger on a complex issue. One might say you've got a dragon by the tail.
First, I should call your attention to the fact that you've rendered his argument in two logically different ways. The first rendering is actually a valid form of deductive inference, n... Read more
I've noticed a difference between some eastern and western approaches to philosophy. Some eastern traditions seem to emphasize personal serenity and enlightenment through meditation, while some western traditions emphasize wisdom through curiosity, questioning, and thinking. My question is, which is the higher human good: serenity or wisdom? More concretely, which image represents the best in humanity: Buddha meditating or Socrates thinking and conversing on philosophic questions?
Kalynne Pudner
January 31, 2008
(changed January 31, 2008)
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I'm thinking the best in humanity would encompass both; don't you agree? Serenity seems eminently compatible with wisdom, and some interpretations of Aristotle's eudaimonia (flourishing, roughly) characterize it as serene but active contemplation of wisdom. (I'm grossly oversimplifying o... Read more
Can you please give me the prominent scholars of Immanuel Kant especially with regard to his concept of person?
Kalynne Pudner
January 31, 2008
(changed January 31, 2008)
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Whenever I personally have a question or interest regarding Kant and concepts Kantian, I go first to Christine Korsgaard. (My philosophical pedigree and particular research interests lead me in her direction; other philosophers would have other suggestions.) You might refer to the Stanfo... Read more
Dear Philosophers, I often hear philosophers say William Shakespeare, Thomas Paine, Robert Ingersoll, Einstein, etc. are not philosophers, but great thinkers. All of these people have done work, or presented ideas that have deep philosophical meaning that changed the way we view the world. Why are they not philosophers?
Oliver Leaman
January 31, 2008
(changed January 31, 2008)
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It is always difficult to be precise about who is a philosopher, since one would not want the term to be so broad that it includes everyone, or so narrow that it excludes many thinkers. I suppose when they are referred to as raising philosophical questions it is a reflection of the issues t... Read more
Is explanation factive? On the one hand it seems very explanatory to be told that the Butler did it in the kitchen with the axe, because the Butler always seemed a nasty character and harboured a grudge against the victim, even if the Butler is innocent. But on the other hand it would seem false to say that the murder had been explained in such an instance. Thanks.
Marc Lange
January 31, 2008
(changed January 31, 2008)
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Sometimes, when we say things like "Jones died because the butler killed him with an ax", what we have said is false if the butler did not in fact kill Jones. After all, Jones' history of smoking cigarettes cannot have caused Jones to develop lung cancer if Jones did not have a history of smok... Read more