Tag Archives: philosophy

Flashforward philosophy, more real than you might think

Posted on April 2, 2010 by

If you believed you knew the future your behavior would…? At first blush you might think Flashforward, the book or the tv show, is scifi fluff. Actually though it presents an interesting question about beliefs and behavior. If one believes … Continue reading →

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Introducing the Mother-Son Debates

Posted on January 2, 2010 by

Happy 2010.  After several lengthy discussions over the holidays with my Mom I thought it might be interesting to generate an online Mother/Son debate to discuss the Big Issues in life.  Note: This post is the first time my mom … Continue reading →

Posted in analysis of behavior, biology, language, brain, anthropology, behavior, journalism | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Death and Taxes – a What Is Man Follow Up

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

This article on estate taxes came across my email inbox today, from WSJ: Under current laws in effect until the end of this year, the size of the exemption is $3.5 million per individual or up to $7 million per … Continue reading →

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What is Man?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

This question, and its variants, might be the most common question asked in literature, storytelling, laws, history and philosophy (less so in daily conversations!).  This question defies an answer not because it is too complicated or out of our reach.  … Continue reading →

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10 Personal Pressing Questions

Posted on September 17, 2009 by

Here’s my top 10 most pressing questions in life. Can you be satisfied and functional AND integrate the idea that there is no universal meaning? Is ignorance bliss? How long will it take for us to give up on free will?  … Continue reading →

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Everything Matters Review

Posted on July 14, 2009 by

Ron Currie Jr delivers a really fun, clever read in Everything Matters! The book cover sells the book as more of comedy than than the sci fi/philosophy/absurdist mystery it is.  The essential question of the book – does anything we … Continue reading →

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The Elegance of the Hedgehog Review and Questions

Posted on April 25, 2009 by

I completed my Elegance of the Hedgehog experience.  Indeed, this is a heartbreaking story.  It’s more than your average outcast meets cool stranger finds redemption. The story asks the big question: does life have any meaning? The book does the … Continue reading →

Posted in anthropology, behavior, biology, Book Reviews, determinism, philosophy, social science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Reflecting on Reflecting

Posted on April 18, 2009 by

From AC Grayling: My final question is about the way we’re going to be reading, communicating and reflecting in the future. At the moment, we’re all very interested to know about the future in these respects. Not the future of … Continue reading →

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Consciousness Explained?

Posted on November 26, 2008 by

This is just about the best dialogue I’ve read on consciousness. Alva Noë’s model is plausible and falsifiable.  And it correctly rejects the notion of internal motive events and the good ol’ mind/body duality. In many ways, the new thinking … Continue reading →

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Do Real Numbers Exist?

Posted on July 23, 2008 by

Perhaps a refresher in real numbers would be useful. Perhaps widdle this question down.  Does pi exist? The area of a circle is pi r^2.  So, you can never really accurately figure out exactly what pi is so you really … Continue reading →

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