Determining Truth
Determine What is True How should we decide whether what we learn is true and should be used to guide our life? We take in lots of information but only some of it is true. Determining truth is not easy for broad principles about living and moral philosophy. There are no certain answers. At best […]
Seek Knowledge and Wisdom
Seek Knowledge and Wisdom Part of any plan to thrive should be a persistent drive to gain knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is one of the four cardinal virtues, and it is essential for a happy life. Wisdom requires a foundation of conceptual and practical knowledge. The work of gaining knowledge and wisdom is immense. No […]
Philosophy Blog Posts
Philosophy Blog Posts
Knowledge in DNA
The Knowledge in Our DNA DNA is a vast library to tap in the quest for knowledge and wisdom. Human DNA contains the results of millions of experiments over millions of years on how to thrive – or at least how to survive. The results can help us understand our nature, our society, and what […]
Value of Adversity
The Value of Adversity I never thought I would come to appreciate misfortune. We all want good luck in life. Who would wish for adversity for themselves or anyone? We work to avoid bad things happening to us. But I found adversity valuable, even necessary, for living well. I believe misfortune is crucial for developing […]
How to Respond to Wrongdoing
How to respond to wrongdoing “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill […]
Memento Mori: Lessons from the Stoics on Living
Memento Mori: Lessons from the Stoics on Living I had a sudden cardiac arrest (an electrical malfunction stopped my heart) in my early 60s. For over 5 minutes, I was dead until strangers revived me with an AED. I regained consciousness in the emergency room, scared and confused. Only 1 in 10 survives a sudden […]
Immanuel Kant – Duty and Reasoned Imperatives
Immanuel Kant – Duty and Reasoned Imperatives For much of my life, I knew little about Kant except that he was an important philosopher. In my 50s, I audited a university philosophy class that introduced me to his writings. There is a reason I had not studied him earlier. His thinking is complex and his […]
Aristotle–Understanding Happiness and Virtue
Aristotle—Understanding Happiness and Virtue I experienced a profound crisis in my 50s. It didn’t involve career, or marriage, or health. I was fortunate in those areas. For several reasons, I lost confidence in my moral reasoning and beliefs about right and wrong, good and bad. The trend toward moral relativism unsettled me. Could much of […]
Hierarchy, Status, and Pride
Explore the crucial role of hierarchies in human society, where status significantly impacts our lives. Understand the evolutionary roots, benefits, and complexities of navigating social structures for personal growth and collective progress.