Recent Responses
How can an object or thing that is not physical (like the mind or the soul) be located in space? Is it actually located in space? If it is not, then where is it located?
Andrew N. Carpenter
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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An interesting question, and one that is important to those substnace dualists (i.e., those who believe there exist both material and immaterial substances) want to explain how immaterial souls can act on material bodies and how material bodies can act on immaterial souls.
Here's one... Read more
Why is academic genius valued more highly than sporting genius? This seems pretentious to me.
Gordon Marino
July 28, 2010
(changed July 28, 2010)
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I'm not sure that this is so in the general public. But the reason would be that some great good can come from "academic genius" e.g. cure for a disease, whereas only entertainment can come from athletic brilliance.
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I've recently been following the debate between proponents of evolutionary theory and those of intelligent design. It seems to me that the crux of their disagreement is around the existence of chance. Both parties seem (more or less) to agree on the mechanism (incremental development of species over time through selection of beneficial traits); but evolutionary theory states that these changes are random, the product of chance uninfluenced by God, while ID seems to think that God directs what we think of as chance, in effect denying the existence of randomness. But the question arises: if God doesn't influence chance, if true randomness occurs in nature, then what *does* God influence? Can a belief in evolutionary theory, or any theory that relies on chance occurrence, be compatible with a belief in God?
Marc Lange
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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If irreducibly chancy processes occur in nature, God could be responsible for setting up laws of nature that specify those chances.
Here is what I mean. Even irreducibly chancy processes are governed by laws. For instance, a given radioactive isotope has a given half-life L. (That is to say,... Read more
Why is sex (a legal act) censored to a much higher degree than extreme violence (an illegal act)?
Nicholas D. Smith
December 9, 2005
(changed December 9, 2005)
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I agree with Joseph Moore's insight, but have some reservations about the question itself. As squeamish as our own culture is about sex, I think it would not be wise to generalize this fact about our culture to all others at all times. The varieties of practices and taboos across cult... Read more
How do philosophers or even lay people deal with conflicts or direct contradictions in their beliefs and values? For example I would be against the principle of torture, yet I feel there is a conflict as in some cases it could be possible to save more lives by torturing an individual. Hypothetically, if intelligence led to the capture of one of the perpetrators of the London Bombings before they had occurred, would people condone the use of torture if it meant we could get information as to where the other bombers were and thus potentially save lives? Is there any moral or ethical stance that doesn’t in some way have a “difficult” side with the potential for conflict/contradiction of beliefs? Again as an example is it possible to justify a vegetarian belief, yet be pro-choice and in favour of allowing abortions? C Anders
Joseph G. Moore
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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The types of dilemma you mention are good starting points for a positive moral theory. Our pre-reflective moral practice contains elements (rules of thumb, behavioral inclinations, moral intuitions and so on) that pull us in different directions in such cases; and a considered moral theor... Read more
Why do people who study language put so much attention on the speaker's intentions? Isn't it obvious that we often don't say what we want?
Joseph G. Moore
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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Rats are cuddly. I mean...cats are, but I typed an 'r' instead of a 'c'. Or was I temporarily misguided about the names of certain small mammals? In any case, I said something I didn't intend. Sorry.But why should we judge that I said that rats are cuddly instead of judging that I said th... Read more
Why do people (especially philosophers) engage in arguments which cannot be resolved?
Andrew N. Carpenter
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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I would add that studying philosophical issues--reading about them, discussing them with others, and writing about them inside or outside a class--can not only be intellectually edifying, but pratically useful as well: this is an an excellent way to hone one's critical reading, writin... Read more
In human terms, is not euthanasia a preferred and valid alternate to the artificial and selfish attitude of "life at all costs" now generally practiced?
Roger Crisp
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
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I take it that you are talking about extreme and expensive technical measures to prolong life. These measures are of course artificial, but that in itself shouldn't count against them (what is wrong with, say, taking an 'artificial' pill for a headache rather than allowing the 'natural' pain... Read more
Why do people (especially philosophers) engage in arguments which cannot be resolved?
Andrew N. Carpenter
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
Permalink
I would add that studying philosophical issues--reading about them, discussing them with others, and writing about them inside or outside a class--can not only be intellectually edifying, but pratically useful as well: this is an an excellent way to hone one's critical reading, writin... Read more
How can an object or thing that is not physical (like the mind or the soul) be located in space? Is it actually located in space? If it is not, then where is it located?
Andrew N. Carpenter
December 7, 2005
(changed December 7, 2005)
Permalink
An interesting question, and one that is important to those substnace dualists (i.e., those who believe there exist both material and immaterial substances) want to explain how immaterial souls can act on material bodies and how material bodies can act on immaterial souls.
Here's one... Read more