Recent Responses
Why are philosophers silent about Aristotelian principles of logic?
Richard Heck
October 31, 2005
(changed October 31, 2005)
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I'm not sure what you have in mind here by "Aristotelian principles of logic". I can think of a couple possibilities. I should say first, however, that some philosophers spend a lot of time thinking about Aristotelian logic, namely, historians of ancient philosophy. But I take it that your q... Read more
Is astrology really a science that can be proven? Can the alignment of the planets of when and where someone was born make them who they are?
Noga Arikha
November 7, 2005
(changed November 7, 2005)
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The "profound human impulse" mentioned by Richard Heck in his response is worth characterizing further: it is the impulse to believe that there are correlations between dimensions of which we have direct experience (the earthly, the present) and those which lie beyond the realm of experience... Read more
The word "Value" is used by philosophers in many different context, without definition. I have asked many schools of values for the definition that guides their activities and not received a single coherent reply. Can you help me?
Matthew Silverstein
October 31, 2005
(changed October 31, 2005)
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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
Are there any arguments against allowing gay marriage that aren't religious or bigoted or both?
Tamar Szabo Gendler
October 30, 2005
(changed October 30, 2005)
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Here (http://examinedlife.typepad.com/johnbelle/2005/10/anti_same_sex_m.html)is another attempt to offer such an argument, with second thoughts bythe author here(http://examinedlife.typepad.com/johnbelle/2005/10/uncle_kvetch_is.html).
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What is the basic difference between philosophy and science?
Alexander George
October 30, 2005
(changed October 30, 2005)
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The difficulty Peter reports might encourage the thought that there is no "basic difference" between the two. For various sociological, historical, and bureaucratic reasons, we might label some rational inquiry "science" and some "philosophy", but one should not imagine that the labels... Read more
What is the basic difference between philosophy and science?
Alexander George
October 30, 2005
(changed October 30, 2005)
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The difficulty Peter reports might encourage the thought that there is no "basic difference" between the two. For various sociological, historical, and bureaucratic reasons, we might label some rational inquiry "science" and some "philosophy", but one should not imagine that the labels... Read more
As photography and film give accurate images of the world around us or an imaginary world, and as they use symbolism, explain concepts and can produce beauty, is there any room left for traditional art?
Aaron Meskin
October 30, 2005
(changed October 30, 2005)
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There's plenty of room left for traditional art. Why? Because the arts aren't really in competition for room. Painting can give accurate images, represent an imaginary world, use symbolism, etc., but that doesn't mean there isn't room for sculpture, literature, photography, film, theater,... Read more
What books are most important for a neophyte philosopher to read?
Peter S. Fosl
December 1, 2005
(changed December 1, 2005)
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I recommend Plato's Apology, Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy, Camus's Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays, Bryan Magee's The Story of Philosophy, David Cooper's anthologies, and perhaps The Philosopher's Toolkit.
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Is astrology really a science that can be proven? Can the alignment of the planets of when and where someone was born make them who they are?
Noga Arikha
November 7, 2005
(changed November 7, 2005)
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The "profound human impulse" mentioned by Richard Heck in his response is worth characterizing further: it is the impulse to believe that there are correlations between dimensions of which we have direct experience (the earthly, the present) and those which lie beyond the realm of experience... Read more
I was just discussing with a friend the concept of a perfect world. We were trying to define what would be a perfect world. I thought the perfect world would be world with a healthy balance of life and death, a healthy balance of war and peace, not enough food and not enough of other resources, and a healthy balance of one's own pain, and a world of distrust on top of that. But my friend seemed to hold a different view of it - a perfect world, to him, seemed to be one where there was always enough food, a world without death, a world with no war, and a world where you could go anywhere and trust every single person. We argued for a couple hours, but it was clear at one point that we had reached a stalemate. What do you guys think? What would be defined as a perfect world?
Jyl Gentzler
October 30, 2005
(changed October 30, 2005)
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One way of thinking of a perfect world is as a world that cannot be improved upon in any way. There are no problems to be solved, because everything is as it should be. But paradoxically, perhaps, such a perfect world would not be perfect for us. We’ve evolved to be the ultimate problem so... Read more