classics digests, reflections and reviews
Hume and Moral Philosophy Hume speaks of “moral philosophy” in the very beginning of his treatise. I suspect that one of the main purposes of his writing is to overthrow moral philosophy and religion. Nietzsche attempted the same a century later. Hume didn’t come right out and attack Christian philosophy, perhaps because blasphemy law was still in effect in the U.K. Epistemology and ethics are closely related branches of philosophy. […]
Read moreArtists can Teach We view them as being wiser not in virtue of being able to act, but of having the theory for themselves and knowing the causes. And in general it is a sign of the man who knows and of the man who does not know, that the former can teach, and therefore we think art more truly knowledge than experience is. Having abstract knowledge of the cause […]
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Pericles was a pupil of Zeno the Eleatic, and perfected a species of refutative catch which was sure to bring an opponent to grief. But the man who most consorted with Pericles and did most to exalt the dignity of his character, was Anaxagoras the Clazomenian, whom men of that day used to call ‘Nous,’ either because they admired that comprehension of his; or because he was the first to […]
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The subtitle of this post should perhaps be “Kierkegaard’s Conception of Time As I Understand it”, but Kierkegaard scholars might strongly disagree with me. I’ve been meaning to write this ever since I read “Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments”, as part of an overall review of the book, but that review is long overdue. A recent discussion with an atheist friend of mine on religious belief reminded me of […]
Read moreA well-balanced, comprehensive account of Einstein’s personal life, scientific visions and achievements, as well as his political beliefs and activism. A good complementary reading to Einstein’s “Ideas and Opinions“. The book presents Einstein not as a genius with a superior brain, but as someone whose awe at the beauty and intelligence of the laws of nature and whose indomitable tenacity to pursue his vision should inspire us all. The most […]
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The Trial and Death of Socrates Four Dialogues of Plato provide an account of the trial and death of Socrates, “Euthyphro“, “Apology“, “Crito” and “Phaedo“. Socrates, falsely accused of impiety and corrupting the Athenian youths, was condemned to death by poison. In “Euthyphro“, he discourses on piety and tears apart the covering of a man who professes to know all about piety; “Apology“ is his speech before the Athenian judges, […]
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