How is everyone celebrating World Philosophy Day? How about celebrating by pondering these four philosophical dilemmas, posed by the BBC?
- Should we kill healthy people to harvest their organs?
- Are you the same person who started reading this article?
- Is that really a computer screen in front of you?
- Did you really choose to read this article?
I’m off to plan a worship set, but when I’m done, I’ll drop some thinky thoughts in the comment section. Read the article, it’s cool.
faith kathleen 9:49 am on 21 November 2008 Permalink
I’ll celebrate by….going to my philosophy class? I bet my teacher is excited…
Eric 12:00 pm on 21 November 2008 Permalink
I wish I had thinky thoughts. In the immortal words of Charlie Chan, I “had a thought once, but it got lonely and left.”
Still, I did choose to read the article (even if Fred knew I was going to read it shortly after the Big Bang)
4. Did you really choose to read this article?
Hasn’t this been addressed here before?
James 1:11 pm on 21 November 2008 Permalink
I like #3… Very Descartes-esque…
Though I don’t intend to try the Wax Argument anytime soon with my MacBook Pro… :/
michael lee 11:17 am on 22 November 2008 Permalink
#3 isn’t just Descartes-esque, it’s straight Descartes. Radical skepticism, the collapse of all empirical trustworthiness, and the only thing left is “I think, therefore I am.”
Which, it turns out, is wrong. There are several options Descartes didn’t consider. Maybe he’s not the one thinking. Maybe his thoughts are the echo of someone else’s thoughts, and maybe the same is true of every person alive.
Really, the only thing Descartes can absolutely know for sure is “Someone thinks.” Not a very sturdy platform for knowledge.
And there you have it, kids. The rise and fall of the enlightenment, at least as it relates to philosophy. Now go fetch grandpa a beer. If there is such a thing as beer. And if you have free will.
James 4:12 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
from Descartes to Kant… I like this post :)
harmonicminer 7:27 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
There is such a thing as beer.
michael lee 8:13 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
Prove it.
Sharolyn 8:25 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
Someone drinks.
michael lee 8:43 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
Sharolyn, I simply can’t accept this conclusion without rigorous, repeated testing. Mmmmmmmm. Experimental rigor. Mmmmmmm.
Sharolyn 9:03 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
Drink responsibly. Don’t operate any machinery that could result in a devastating outcome, such as a car or Pro Tools 8.
michael lee 9:26 pm on 22 November 2008 Permalink
Oh Sharolyn, wonderful things happen when you combine mind-altering substances and Pro Tools.
Chad 7:07 pm on 23 November 2008 Permalink
So, if you follow Mike’s link, and click on the song “National Anthem,” I think you might hear my all time favorite lo-budget but extra awesome bass part.
James 10:11 pm on 23 November 2008 Permalink
Which, oddly enough, sounds like 70% of David Holmes’ bass parts in the Ocean’s 11 sequels…
Hooray for musical diversity? … :/