What objectivity and the study of philosophy require is not an “open mind”, but an active mind - a mind able and eagerly willing to examine ideas, but to examine them critically.
~Ayn Rand


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I am a man who cares very much about definitions. I would argue that many disagreements arise simply because the ones in disagreement are using different definitions of the words. I have shared my wish that words were more precise, that is, that they did not have such a wide range in meanings.[1] If words have fewer meanings, there is less chance ( Read more... )

I'm actually really excited for May 21st. I think I may even tune in to Family Radio on that day.

I can't wait to hear what Camping says at 6:00 PM.

That is all....

My third ever entry on this blog had to do (in part) with René Descartes and his famous Cogito, ergo sum.[1] I have referred back to that entry many times in discussions here about epistemology, how my belief in my own existence is (after believing in logic) the second most secure of all my beliefs.[2]While I highly respect Descartes - he's the ( Read more... )

While I've never written directly about them, I have spoken quite a few times on various "paradigm shifts" in science. (One can scan my topics list if interested.)

( definition of a paradigm shift )

In comments to my second-to-last public entry (and in other articles I have read), some suggest that the potential actions of the Florida "pastor" were different from the potential actions of the pseudo-mosque-builders due to potential risk. Some have suggested that the "pastor" should be forced to stop because his act would be more risky; it would ( Read more... )

Ok, I've hesitated to write my thoughts on this topic, because it is bound to be controversial, and I don't always like dealing with comments from people who don't understand what I'm saying in context. ( a parenthetical apology )

I learned about a club started by a young boy named McKay Hatch this morning. It is called the No Cussing Club. He started it at age 14 at his school in an attempt to fight peer pressure ( Read more... )

Maybe I misunderstand the principle -- but this in part is because of its (mis)use -- but I am not a fan of Ockham's razor ( Read more... )

One of the biggest issues I had with the Veritas speaker here at Hopkins a month or so ago[1] was that one of his arguments for substantive dualism was that there is a vast pile of accounts of people who have had out-of-body experiences, particularly near the time of death or before being resuscitated ( Read more... )