Tag Archives: philosophy

The Kindly Pit and the Pendulum

Posted on December 22, 2021 by robertpkruger

I recently finished Jonathan Rauch’s book Kindly Inquisitors, the New Attacks on Free Thought (expanded edition), and I think everyone who would style themselves a modern thinker, and especially a liberal, should read it. For the last decade, I’ve been … Continue reading →

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Lies, Prevarication, and Modes of Discourse

Posted on August 3, 2020 by robertpkruger

“That’s a lie!” Have you ever heard that in a serious science debate? If you have, the debate has crossed over from objective discussion to inference of intent. In the logical mode, there is no such thing as a lie, … Continue reading →

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Scalia, Naive Essentialism, and Evolution

Posted on June 11, 2015 by robertpkruger

I’ve lain relatively low on Facebook this past year, becoming more circumspect. Before posting, I weigh the importance of any controversial statement I have to make, and increasingly I let it go. This seems to have improved my relationships with … Continue reading →

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Values and the Definition of Religion

Posted on January 11, 2015 by robertpkruger

In relation to my last post, a friend of mine on Facebook was not clear on my definition of religion in relation to values, so this is how I replied. Sure, Ed, the word “values” is tricky because when I … Continue reading →

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Secularism, and Pounding on Religion

Posted on January 9, 2015 by robertpkruger

Here’s a redacted set of outtakes from my side of religion Facebook arguments I’ve been having. Of course they’re inspired by the tragedy in France. I’d really like to be done with this, but as soon as I’m out, they … Continue reading →

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The Tao, Revisited

Posted on December 12, 2014 by robertpkruger

One of my friends on Facebook argued with my religion post. He thinks that I’m lumping philosophy and even science in with religion, remarking essentially — if I understand his point — that the Tao is just another word for … Continue reading →

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Existentialism and Essentialism Versus Literalism

Posted on June 13, 2014 by robertpkruger

I decided to take a break from talking about Lucius to address a widespread and dismaying confusion I’ve seen reflected on Facebook since I first joined the site years ago. Existentialism and essentialism aren’t political positions. I’ve seen a couple … Continue reading →

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Arguing Evolution on Facebook

Posted on June 11, 2014 by robertpkruger

Here’s a redacted transcript of a discussion on evolution that I conducted on Facebook. It ranged into the familiar territory of religion and politics. I think some very interesting points were made. Many thanks to my friend Ken McGlothlen for … Continue reading →

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Do Unto Others…

Posted on June 11, 2014 by robertpkruger

… As You Would Have Them Do Unto You is axiomatic. It’s baked into the universe. All your attempts to claim an exemption will not help you create a finer morality. Sam Harris’s project to make a science of morality … Continue reading →

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Appealing to Nature, Just a Bit

Posted on June 9, 2014 by robertpkruger

I was just re-reading a long, fascinating and very heated evo-psych thread I started on Facebook late last year, and toward the end it veered off into philosophy. A very smart author friend of mine has strenuously argued for adopting a … Continue reading →

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