Category Archives: Philosophy

Another Gloss on Philosophy

Posted on Monday 6 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

I think I mentioned this book before. It’s a compilation of rough summaries of twelve general topics, from American Studies to World History, with literature, music, philosophy, religion, science, and others in between, written for people who worry that their … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmology, Philosophy, Religion | Comments Off on Another Gloss on Philosophy

Illiberalism, and the Wood Age

Posted on Sunday 5 May 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

“Illiberalism” and its history in the US; How perhaps the “Stone Age” is perhaps better described as the “Wood Age” — how science can update stale conclusions; How some “smart people” hold noxious conspiracy theories too; Kristi Noem would have … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Morality, Philosophy, Politics | Comments Off on Illiberalism, and the Wood Age

Two Essays

Posted on Saturday 20 April 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Frank Bruni on how everything is complicated, and the need to be humble; A New Yorker piece about how to understand misinformation. I have at hand two or three long essays that I plan to read and comment on, as … Continue reading →

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Daniel Dennett, Exploring the Universe, the Eclipse, and How so Many People have no idea what an eclipse is about

Posted on Wednesday 10 April 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Daniel Dennett’s four biggest ideas in philosophy; Why we spend money to explore the universe; Washington Post with images of the eclipse; And SF author CJ Cherryh on how so many ‘people on the street’ have no idea what makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Philosophy, Science | Comments Off on Daniel Dennett, Exploring the Universe, the Eclipse, and How so Many People have no idea what an eclipse is about

Two Thought-Provoking Pieces, and Notes about the Fringe

Posted on Wednesday 6 March 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Adam Frank on science and the need to account for human experience; How “entropy bagels” and other complex structures emerge from simple rules; Headlines about the fringe: that North Carolina GOP nominee; how Trump is degenerating; his empty pseudo-religion; his … Continue reading →

Posted in Meaning, Music, Philosophy, Science | Comments Off on Two Thought-Provoking Pieces, and Notes about the Fringe

Philosophy, Science, and Politics

Posted on Monday 4 March 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

First of all, I refined and polished my discussion of the Thomas Nagel book, posted here, and identified my key takeaway. (Sometimes you have to mull things for a few days before your thoughts gel.) Currently revisiting E.O. Wilson’s CONSILIENCE, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology | Comments Off on Philosophy, Science, and Politics

Thomas Nagel, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Posted on Thursday 29 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Here’s a *very* short introduction to philosophy, published way back in 1987 but which I tracked down and bought because it was recommended by Edward Craig, author of that other short introduction to philosophy that I reviewed here. As Craig … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Notes, Philosophy | Comments Off on Thomas Nagel, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Steven Pinker, HOW THE MIND WORKS, post 1

Posted on Friday 23 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

I mentioned this book a few days ago and quoted from it. Now I’ve finished it and will summarize and highlight. As I said earlier, I’ve had this book since it was published in 1997 (I have a first edition, … Continue reading →

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Looking Up Instead of Down

Posted on Monday 19 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

Two pieces today about how humanity is progressing, in its understanding of the world and in its social progress, rather than regressing, as conservative movements around the world are striving to do. Richard Dawkins on science as a jewel in … Continue reading →

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The True and the Real

Posted on Sunday 11 February 2024 by Mark R. Kelly

About the difference between “true” and “real” and recalling Delany’s DHALGREN; An essay about the reality of mathematics, and whether math implies God. Years ago there was a novel — it was Samuel R. Delany’s 1975 novel DHALGREN — that … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Philosophy | Comments Off on The True and the Real