XML FeedsCategory: philo2
Ken Burns--a slight error
By jventola on Sep 28, 2009 | In philo2 | Send feedback »
Ken Burns makes excellent documentaries with pictures and music. He tells a story well. He aims to shape the consciousness of his audience. His latest work is on the National Parks. He sees their creation in epochal terms. He says:The sanctificat… more »
Ad Hominem Attacks
By jventola on Sep 26, 2009 | In philo2 | 2 feedbacks »
By now you know that ad hominem attacks (name-calling) are fallacious and cannot be used in rational debate.
What examples of name-calling are you aware of in the discourse around you? (in "discourse"I include radio and television, entertainment, ch… more »
Crony Capitalism
By jventola on Sep 17, 2009 | In philo2 | Send feedback »
The following article gives what appears to be a good example of what is meant by "crony capitalism": the writer implies wrongdoing. However, the fact that Russia does a favor for G.E. after Obama does a favor for Russia, does not prove that it resulted… more »
Orwell's new aristocracy
By jventola on Aug 9, 2009 | In philo2 | Send feedback »
In his dystopian 1984, the socialist George Orwell described what was to him a grim future:
The new aristocracy was made up for the most part of bureaucrats, scientists, technicians, trade-union organizers, publicity experts, sociologists, teachers, jou… more »
Moral Absolutism
By jventola on Jul 29, 2009 | In philo2 | Send feedback »
Here is a famous moral problem used in many philosophy classes.
You are an experienced train engineer. You are rolling along when to your horror you see a small group of kids playing on the track. You know from experience that there is no time to st… more »
