From high theory to political activism can be a long road. But the path is clear from the philosophy-of-math skeptics in the mid-1900s to the postmodernists in the late 1900s to the math-denying activists in the early 2000s. Here for example is philosopher A. J. Ayer puncturing the objectivist balloon: “the principles of logic and […]
2 + 2 ≠ 4 (Philosophy’s contribution) Read More »
In Nineteen Eighty Four, the hapless protagonist Winston finds the powers-that-be’s demands for intellectual obedience increasingly oppressive, to the point that his cognitive grip on reality becomes tenuous. Does two plus two even equal four anymore? O’Brien, the power-lusting antagonist, explains patiently: “Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are
When 2+2=5. George Orwell’s O’Brien explains Read More »
Wise words from actress Alyson Hannigan: “I was in a real negative headspace for a long time. I remember the moment I became an optimist. I was walking across campus, and somebody passed me by. In my head, I insulted that person. I stopped myself and thought, ‘Why would I think something negative about a
Who controls your mind? Decision and habit Read More »
The Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) is a 2020 government program available to businesses and organizations, primarily in response to the economic damage done by Covid-19 slowdowns, shut-downs, and lock-downs. The question: Can limited-government advocacy organizations accept taxpayer-support with a clear conscience? The PPP highlighted this question, as many free-market-favoring organizations rejected PPP on principle, while
PPP and the Soul of Free-Market Organizations Read More »
We’re now posting serially at thinkspot the transcripts of my Open College podcasts. Here’s the ninth: OC9: Envy’s Moral-Psychological Challenge. “American writer Gore Vidal confessed in a kind of secret-diary moment: ‘Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.’” Audio versions of the podcast are available free at my website, YouTube, Bitchute, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud.
Envy’s Moral-Psychological Challenge [Open College transcript] Read More »
Two philosophers discuss current culture through a historically informed lens. My CEE did this extended video interview with Capaldi about his life and work. I reviewed his Liberty and Equality in Political Economy: From Locke versus Rousseau to the Present.
Janowski interviews Capaldi on the death of liberalism Read More »
Questions for August 2020 Q&A at thinkspot:SLAVERY1. What do you know about the abolition of slavery in Brazil? How did it happen?2. I doubt that your last presentation is anything like what has been taught in the American educational system. How can we stop the ideologically possessed from indoctrinating a dangerous one-sided narrative In our
Questions for August 2020 Q&A at thinkspot: Read More »
Five minutes on our culture of fear and the great importance of free speech: My subtitle: An excellent introduction to Chapter 2 of John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty.
Listen to Ayishat Akanbi Read More »