http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Arts-and-Entertainment:Philosophy EzineArticles.com - Trusted By Millions as The Source For Quality Original Articles http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ Why are we here? What is the true nature of reality? This article provides a bold answer to an ancient question: Why is there anything at all? Everything is relative. Reality is utterly self-defining and self-supporting. All things come from one great Source: a single, infinitely massive, Universal Oneness or Wholeness. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:51:11 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-is-There-Anything-at-All?-Exploring-the-Universal-Oneness&id=3283416 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-is-There-Anything-at-All?-Exploring-the-Universal-Oneness&id=3283416 I am a collector of useful quotes. To me, there is nothing like seeing something in writing that takes your random thoughts, feelings & emotions and streamlines them into a clever line of text for you to reference when difficult situations rear their ugly head. A few of my favorites, for my own personal reasons, include: "Never make someone a priority who is only making you an option." Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:48:10 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-We-Create&id=3285510 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-We-Create&id=3285510 Is God a physical object or an abstract concept? Until we decide which, we can't even begin to ponder whether God exists. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:59:17 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-God-Exist?-Concept&id=3181922 http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-God-Exist?-Concept&id=3181922 As I research the history of health care it appears that modern drug medicine is the model that is out of place and out of touch with nature. What we now call alternative health care should be first in our search for health. Jean-Jaques Rousseau (1712-1778) must be considered the true spiritual father of the nature cure movement of the 17-18th century in Germany. In man's efforts to make life a little easier we have created a synthetic nature from nature and seem to be paying the consequences with poor health. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:11:06 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Appreciation-of-17th-Century-Philosopher-Jean-Jacques-Rousseau&id=2219504 http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Appreciation-of-17th-Century-Philosopher-Jean-Jacques-Rousseau&id=2219504 I can't help it, I over think. I analyze what I read, what I hear, and what I see. I think about everything. The problem is that thinking lets me down. Mankind has been given a precarious ability in his survival path that expands far beyond the tenets of nature. We add the ability to create, render, believe, consider, doubt and judge. Those are special gifts given only to mankind. We can accept as true any philosophy, attitude, and viewpoint we want in spite of what someone else may think, say or do. This thinking ability can result in some bizarre actions and sorting those out produce turmoil in our life. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:21:43 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Thinking-Can-Lead-You-Astray-Is-How-We-Think-Truth,-Illusion,-Or-Delusion?&id=2478254 http://ezinearticles.com/?Thinking-Can-Lead-You-Astray-Is-How-We-Think-Truth,-Illusion,-Or-Delusion?&id=2478254 This article tells that the contradiction is a hurdle only at the level of the languages; the existence is not hampered by the contradictions. Languages have their own limitation therefore they cannot be the last arbiter to decide regarding the existence, god or the essence. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:44:23 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?God-of-Contradictions&id=863137 http://ezinearticles.com/?God-of-Contradictions&id=863137 The scientific objectivity is allowed only to a particular level of existence. Beyond it the objectivity is barred. This article tells how to proceed there in that domain. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:42:46 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Post-Quantum-God&id=863155 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Post-Quantum-God&id=863155 There is a fact of life that we're all too apt at overlooking much to our confused and ignorant consternation, individually and collectively. It is the principle of our oneness--our innate interdependence. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:26:33 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Were-One-But-Were-Not-the-Same&id=3269209 http://ezinearticles.com/?Were-One-But-Were-Not-the-Same&id=3269209 Only if life gave us a second chance. So never hesitate in telling your loved ones how much you love them and care for them. Life may not give you a second chance either... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:12:50 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Only-If-Life-Gave-Us-a-Second-Chance&id=3259006 http://ezinearticles.com/?Only-If-Life-Gave-Us-a-Second-Chance&id=3259006 How many thoughts-a-second do you think we have? When we are excited, perhaps we have hundreds of thoughts a second. When we are calm, does it slow down to three or four thoughts-a-second? Do these thoughts contribute to a decision right now? Do we have to choose right now? Can we wait? Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:39:26 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Thoughts-A-Second-and-Negative-Emotions&id=3243021 http://ezinearticles.com/?Thoughts-A-Second-and-Negative-Emotions&id=3243021 Many folks who study the social sciences, and especially the growth and viability of great nations believe that a nation cannot progress unless it's people feel entitled to live in a great society. That is to say until the people believe in themselves, their unity, their team, and their country they cannot move forward to do great things. After World War II, the United States felt quite proud of themselves, and that they could do anything, and so they put a man on the moon. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:42:16 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Nation-Cannot-Progress-Until-People-Believe-in-Themselves-and-Their-Country&id=3265605 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Nation-Cannot-Progress-Until-People-Believe-in-Themselves-and-Their-Country&id=3265605 Although there have been many important German philosophers in the last several hundred years, Friedrich Nietzsche trivia indicates that he struck a particularly deep chord with readers, as direct influences from his work can be seen throughout popular culture even leading up until modern times. A Friedrich Nietzsche quiz tells us that he grew up in Saxony, the son of a Pastor. From the time of his first school years it was clear he had a talent for writing. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:34:37 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Philosopher-Fredich-Nietzsche&id=3257655 http://ezinearticles.com/?Philosopher-Fredich-Nietzsche&id=3257655 Getting Even... speaks to issues of vengeance, an eye for an eye, nyah nyah nyah, yo momma. What does one owe to society for his crimes? How does the world benefit from hurting its citizens? Should the state be a bully? Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:12:39 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Getting-Even-is-Odd-Revenge-is-a-Dish-Best-Served-Not-at-All&id=248488 http://ezinearticles.com/?Getting-Even-is-Odd-Revenge-is-a-Dish-Best-Served-Not-at-All&id=248488 When it comes right down to it, I personally have spent more quality time in the last few years asking questions than I have goose-stepping around with answers - life's just too mind-boggling for little old me to have figured it out. I have, however, picked up some principles that I figure are pretty freaking essential to asking questions wisely. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:19:42 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Going-Granola-Questioning-Your-Way-to-Truth&id=3229667 http://ezinearticles.com/?Going-Granola-Questioning-Your-Way-to-Truth&id=3229667 Together on the page we experience a new realm beyond time and space. Yet is it new, or has it always existed--in the here and now? Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:38:26 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Banishing-Time-and-Space-Here-and-Now&id=3231069 http://ezinearticles.com/?Banishing-Time-and-Space-Here-and-Now&id=3231069 Most of us have had great inspirational mentors along the way. Indeed, I know I've had a few, what about you? Sometimes it has been a co-worker, boss, grandparent, teacher, or even a college professor. Perhaps, they were in economics class, a business class, psychology, or maybe philosophy for instance. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:25:29 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Owe-Your-Philosophy-Teacher-For-Enlightening-You?&id=3228917 http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Owe-Your-Philosophy-Teacher-For-Enlightening-You?&id=3228917 What if we had our civilization and government run by a Think Tank of noble philosopher king types? In Star Wars, this was depicted, and apparently human nature was readily apparent. A benevolent dictatorship of philosopher types should be able to run such a society and civilization right? Sure, and not long ago, I had an acquaintance of mine ask; "So, why not, Plato's dream of a society led by philosophers." Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:24:17 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Society-and-Civilization-Led-by-Philosophers-Considered&id=3228905 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Society-and-Civilization-Led-by-Philosophers-Considered&id=3228905 The Tour de France cycling race features a phenomenon where the cyclists cling tightly together in a pack called a "pelaton." Likewise, the character traits of virtue cling together producing a cool picture of morally sound living. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:57:19 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Riding-the-Virtue-Pelaton&id=3230911 http://ezinearticles.com/?Riding-the-Virtue-Pelaton&id=3230911 They say that war is hell, and if you've ever been in one you'd have to agree. People that are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time in the middle of a war zone will never forget it, if they live to tell about it. Neither will those that are doing the fighting. Many young men want to go fight a war because it's glorious, and they want to do something important, feel like a man. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:54:48 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Worst-Part-About-War?&id=3229084 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Worst-Part-About-War?&id=3229084 Have you ever thought of the gift of eternal life, how about living forever on Earth, never dying that is, able to play this virtual reality game forever until you had built up the perfect life and lived like a king, on top of the world forever? Well, if you've ever pondered this thought and most of us have at one time or another, then perhaps, we ought to address a few questions. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:11:02 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-You-Lived-Forever-How-Much-More-Would-You-Accomplish?&id=3232698 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-You-Lived-Forever-How-Much-More-Would-You-Accomplish?&id=3232698 Justice is balance. Moves towards injustice, whatever comes, are always rectified by the universal laws in place that have worked since before the dawn of time. Justice reigns. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:05:05 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Justice-Inbuilt-in-Injustice&id=3224892 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Justice-Inbuilt-in-Injustice&id=3224892 One of the most interesting quotes I've heard is that; people make history. And whereas, this is true, I'd like to point out that is usually a certain type of person that makes history and it generally isn't the mass mob. So, sure, people make history, but it is usually the individual unreasonable man that does the doing, not the masses which tend to follow a trend, which was initiated by the one. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:01:19 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?People-Make-History-He-Said&id=3188239 http://ezinearticles.com/?People-Make-History-He-Said&id=3188239 Often those who disagree with you will pull the perception argument into the mix. They will say that they "understand your perception" but indeed, you should understand theirs as well. Once you allow them to do this, you have marginalized your actual experiences and observations, and agreed to participate in a talk about their fantasies, notions, and point of view from their perspective. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:55:28 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Beware-of-Perception-Based-Arguments&id=3178703 http://ezinearticles.com/?Beware-of-Perception-Based-Arguments&id=3178703 A society gets more of what it celebrates. In past periods societies and civilizations have celebrated their strongest warriors, and therefore, all the young men in society worked very hard to become the very best fighters in warriors to defend their nation and civilization. Those nations that celebrated excellence in intellectual affairs, tended to have the most intellectuals, the most philosophers, and the best planners building their society and civilization. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:08:48 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-We-Do-Not-Celebrate-Excellence,-Hard-Work,-and-Achievement-We-Wont-Have-Any!&id=3188531 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-We-Do-Not-Celebrate-Excellence,-Hard-Work,-and-Achievement-We-Wont-Have-Any!&id=3188531 What if you really could live forever? That is to say as long as you wanted to live, and you'd be healthy during that time. Many people have thought about that. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:33:52 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?I-Want-to-Live-Forever-Are-You-Sure-About-That?-Think-it-Through&id=3173740 http://ezinearticles.com/?I-Want-to-Live-Forever-Are-You-Sure-About-That?-Think-it-Through&id=3173740 By knowing the history and ideas of great philosophers, we will be inspired to achieve happiness and true success today. There are several names of great philosophers in legendary such as Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. Their ideas are very great and inspiring many people afterwards. These can stimulate thought, captivate minds and so on. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:05 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Ideas-From-Great-Philosophers&id=3212100 http://ezinearticles.com/?Ideas-From-Great-Philosophers&id=3212100 It has often been noted by famous past philosophers that intelligent people build up civilizations and use their visionary minds to create infrastructure, architecture, art, and all the best that can possibly be included in a great civilization. It has also often been noted that ignorant and stupid people are the ones who go out and destroy things. In other words, if the problem becomes too complex, a less intelligent individual will choose the simplest option such as destroying whatever it is they believe is causing the problem. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:58:04 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intelligent-People-Build,-Stupid-People-Destroy-He-Said&id=3191732 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intelligent-People-Build,-Stupid-People-Destroy-He-Said&id=3191732 If you have ever heard about Transcendentalism, you will directly bring your mind to the name of the great transcendentalist from America, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He is the real great man who brings the new sense in American Literature. Actually, Emerson is not alone. You can also find Henry David Thoreau if we talk about nature. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:23:48 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Finding-the-Essence-of-Nature-by-Reading-Ralph-Waldo-Emerson&id=3146599 http://ezinearticles.com/?Finding-the-Essence-of-Nature-by-Reading-Ralph-Waldo-Emerson&id=3146599 Life sometimes changes in a second, you blink your eyes and the world around you is gone, shattered for ever. The world that you created around you so deliberately, carefully ensuring nothing is wrong, the world which you call your safe haven! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:23:58 -0600 http://ezinearticles.com/?Life-Goes-On&id=3192418 http://ezinearticles.com/?Life-Goes-On&id=3192418 I Ching (Yi Ying or Yi Jing), a divination and oracle tool, is also known as the ancient Chinese Book of Changes or the Book of Transformation. It is a textual reference and resource of and about Chinese philosophy, prognostication, and intuitive spiritual perception based on the concepts of and theories derived from Yin and Yang. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:53:31 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-I-Ching&id=3114479 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-I-Ching&id=3114479 Most religious folks believe that man was created by god, and that somehow humans are better than all the other animals. Well, I tell you what, why don't you go up to a polar bear and tell them that, or jump in with a great white shark, and say; "listen buddy, I am better than you, I am a human!" and see how long you last. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:36:39 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Humans-Divine-Creatures-of-God?-Humans-and-Animals-How-Much-Difference?&id=3142169 http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Humans-Divine-Creatures-of-God?-Humans-and-Animals-How-Much-Difference?&id=3142169 Most folks see humans as the top species on the planet, and in many regards humans are considering they've set up shop on every continent and taken up vast portions of the land mass. Of course, birds, insects, and other animals are all over too, and they live in and around all the people. Likewise the oceans are filled with species where few humans exist and our planet's surface is two-thirds covered in water. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:29:01 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Makes-Animals-and-Humans-So-Different?&id=3142120 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Makes-Animals-and-Humans-So-Different?&id=3142120 Figuring out what dreams are made of is mysteriously fascinating and educational at the same time. A lot of research on dreams has been conducted on dream analysis bringing us the modern day dream dictionary. They can often help you interpret the anxiety of a nightmare, do a self analysis, psychoanalysis and set your mind at ease with meaningful insight into your imagination. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:10:13 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Dream-Interpretation&id=936618 http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Dream-Interpretation&id=936618 All over the world people have their own sets of beliefs which form an important part of our culture and just who we are. Of course, the idea of just what is this particular culture is quite a question open to interpretation yet there is little doubt that there are certain aspects of this culture which lead to other interesting avenues, etc. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:13:30 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Theory-Behind-Good-Luck-Charms&id=2732150 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Theory-Behind-Good-Luck-Charms&id=2732150 I love the sea. I love it as a place of exile. Because it crosses any age. It is part of any century and holds many memories. There is something excruciatingly beautiful, able to intimidate the worst lucidity, in the clarity of the morning burned off by the sun. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:28:54 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Soliloquy-by-the-Sea&id=3061216 http://ezinearticles.com/?Soliloquy-by-the-Sea&id=3061216 Semiotics is the study of how meaning is socially created with signs, created by whom, and for whom. The topic has scope that encompasses between a scientific discipline and a world-view. The term is derived from the Greek word seemeiootikee, meaning the study of signs, what they represent or signify, and how we act and think in their universe. Semiotics is categorized among the humanities because it deals with a phenomenon of which we are a part, and which we affect and develops by being a part of it. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:35:45 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Semiotics-Signs-and-the-City&id=1187430 http://ezinearticles.com/?Semiotics-Signs-and-the-City&id=1187430 Plato was both polytheistic and monotheistic. He believed in gods but he also believed in one great God which he called Demiurge. He believed that God made the universe and man out of pre-existent material. The forms that we see are logical and mathematical symbols which portray God to us. The highest form is good, then comes truth, beauty, justice and so on. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:26:44 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Platonism-What-Was-Platos-Philosophy-and-How-Did-it-Relate-to-Christian-Doctrine&id=3051723 http://ezinearticles.com/?Platonism-What-Was-Platos-Philosophy-and-How-Did-it-Relate-to-Christian-Doctrine&id=3051723 Exist is not a synonym of living. Both 'living' and 'exist' are on or off, black or white types of concepts. You are either alive or dead, and the UFO either exists or it doesn't. But 'living' is a dynamic concept whereas 'exist' is static. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:51:31 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-God-Doesnt-Exist-Living&id=3075433 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-God-Doesnt-Exist-Living&id=3075433 The shadow of our hegemony, having been cast over the earth for the past two centuries, is growing thin and its pulse weakening. With its days seemingly numbered, the American empire - this great experiment in freedom and prosperity - is apparently approaching its end. Early indications of this momentous event were foreshadowed in the hard fall of its financial markets and the idling of its economic engines. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:16:24 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Stricken-Empire-The-Shadow-of-Our-Hegemony&id=2699335 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Stricken-Empire-The-Shadow-of-Our-Hegemony&id=2699335 Not too long ago we Americans became quite certain that our lifestyle represented the pinnacle of civilized progress and the best in scientific and technological advancement. What we as a nation had achieved, so we thought, was a dream come true. And it is this 'American Dream' that we have held out to (or perhaps thrust upon) the rest of the world as the genuine meaning of the 'good life' and the proper goal or end of human existence. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:16:11 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Field-of-Dreams&id=2579144 http://ezinearticles.com/?Field-of-Dreams&id=2579144 I love the sea. I love it as a place of exile. Because it crosses any age. It is part of any century and holds many memories. There is something excruciatingly beautiful, able to intimidate the worst lucidity, in the clarity of the morning burned off by the sun. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:37:58 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Soliloquy-by-the-Sea&id=3061216 http://ezinearticles.com/?Soliloquy-by-the-Sea&id=3061216 Archetypes are one of the levels of building-blocks of this entire physical-universe. They are fundamental definitions that can be found anywhere on earth, in any culture, on any continent, even before that society has any contact with other cultures. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:16:23 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Animal-Archetypes&id=3066160 http://ezinearticles.com/?Animal-Archetypes&id=3066160 Today, psychology and philosophy understands that all of us operate under certain "vital" lies to give meaning and structure to our lives. The project of philosophy and psychoanalysis, that is the pursuit of truth, paradoxically leads us to nihilism and realization that as ambiguous beings we need lies to live our lives. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:50:18 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Ernest-Beckers-Vital-Lies-The-Lies-That-Make-Life-Meaningful&id=3053176 http://ezinearticles.com/?Ernest-Beckers-Vital-Lies-The-Lies-That-Make-Life-Meaningful&id=3053176 Many Futurists, Trekkies, Scientists, and Science Fiction Authors believe that the human race, although it appears to be one of if not the most intelligent species on the planet, is completely underwhelming when it comes to some of the off planet species we may find someday or amongst other civilizations which may come in contact with humans sometime in the future. But if this is so, then we need to redefine intelligence. Right now, the intelligence of humans starts at about 55 IQ and goes all the way to 200 IQ. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:53:03 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Do-You-Consider-an-Intelligent-Species?&id=3074901 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Do-You-Consider-an-Intelligent-Species?&id=3074901 He was an inspiring political philosopher and his political essay titled "the duty of Civil obedience" had far reaching influence on many great personalities like Leo Tolstoy, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. His name was Henry David Thoreau. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:06:22 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Henry-David-Thoreau-An-Inspiring-Political-Philosopher!&id=3004830 http://ezinearticles.com/?Henry-David-Thoreau-An-Inspiring-Political-Philosopher!&id=3004830 Have you ever heard someone tell you that the more that they learn, the less that they feel they know? I hear this quite often, and I find that most often academics tell me this. Now, judging from personal experience the more I learn, the more I know, and the more categories of information I have to cross pollinate with all the other information I've ever learned. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:26:11 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-More-You-Learn-the-Less-You-Know-That-Isnt-Logical&id=3075173 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-More-You-Learn-the-Less-You-Know-That-Isnt-Logical&id=3075173 Recently, in reading the book; "This is Your Brain On Music," by Daniel J. Levin, the author was discussing how humans commit things to memory based on their perceptions of the world from their many observations and experiences. In putting forth his well-founded argument on page; 141 where he talks of philosopher Wittgenstein "who dealt a blow to Aristotle" by using the definition of a game; stating there was no one complete definition for all games? Is this so? I think not. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:23:06 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Game-He-Asked&id=3072468 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Game-He-Asked&id=3072468 There are many philosophical conundrums and circular arguments that some of the top dead white men philosophers of past periods have come up with. But just because someone can come up with a circular argument, which has no answer, or that can be argued indefinitely, does not mean that we should celebrate their names or waste our time, brain power, and entire lives worrying about it. The reality is there are all sorts of circular arguments and conundrums having to do with society, civilization, psychology, morality, death, life, and the brain. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:24:35 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Philosophers-Who-Spend-a-Lifetime-on-a-Circular-Argument-For-This-We-Aspire?&id=3080305 http://ezinearticles.com/?Philosophers-Who-Spend-a-Lifetime-on-a-Circular-Argument-For-This-We-Aspire?&id=3080305 For a dictator to rule a nation they must get all their subjects on the same page, and facing the same way. One way they do this is through religion, which is very common. Another way is through Nationalism, which often can be even more dangerous. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:16:28 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Wartime-Usage-of-Religion-and-Nationalism-by-Dictators-Discussed&id=3060686 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Wartime-Usage-of-Religion-and-Nationalism-by-Dictators-Discussed&id=3060686 Many folks so desire to help others, almost to the point of breaking such basic wisdom and cardinal rules that they end up doing more harm than good. It happens all the time, and perhaps the best illustration is the old Boy Scout joke where an old lady is sitting in a wheel chair on a street corner and the young Boy Scout sees her there and he pushes her across the street to be a good Samaritan. When he gets to the other side the lady is pissed off because she didn't want to cross the street. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:02:25 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-You-Want-to-Help-Others-You-Must-Make-Sure-They-Actually-Want-Help!&id=3061159 http://ezinearticles.com/?If-You-Want-to-Help-Others-You-Must-Make-Sure-They-Actually-Want-Help!&id=3061159 Consider the system v. problem-thinker. Both desire to fundamentally understand phenomena about us. Perhaps they limit themselves to the human condition. How will they attempt it? Kant and Rousseau were system-builders while, say, Socrates and Nietzsche were problem-solvers. What is the distinction? Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:58:59 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Truth-As-a-Woman&id=3016701 http://ezinearticles.com/?Truth-As-a-Woman&id=3016701 Having seen Darwin's Nightmare, I was inspired to do a little bit of writing. This is a story of Tanzania (Ananziat) and its struggle with the exploitation of Lake Victoria. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:21:18 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Darwins-Nightmare-Movie&id=3026020 http://ezinearticles.com/?Darwins-Nightmare-Movie&id=3026020 Have you ever been lulled into compliance by the Siren's sweet voice like Ulysses was, or seduced by the charms of a ravishing temptress? Perhaps you have felt the rapture of transcendence brought on by endlessly listening to 14th century Gregorian chants. Well, just like the ritual seductiveness of religion and the regimented requirement of work, online social networking lulls us into a placid acceptance of the necessity of civilization and its artifices - those carefully constructed distractions that keep us harmlessly in line like domesticated cattle, so that we accept the outcomes of its political machinations as necessary evils. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:52:27 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Like-the-Seduction-of-Religion-Confessions-of-a-Would-Be-Anarchist&id=3025865 http://ezinearticles.com/?Like-the-Seduction-of-Religion-Confessions-of-a-Would-Be-Anarchist&id=3025865 Fight Club is probably one of the best movies of the previous decade.  It's more than a movie, and it's more than a book, it's a philosophy that will help you open your eyes, help you wake up and become free. It's based on a person that struggles with his growing discomfort with the American culture and what it is making of him. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:49:10 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Introduction-to-Fight-Club-Quotes&id=3042539 http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Introduction-to-Fight-Club-Quotes&id=3042539 In a prior article "Publicly Unreasonable" I discussed what John Rawls meant by "justice as fairness". I turn now to the second half of Rawls' political doctrine, the idea of the overlapping consensus. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:52:01 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Publicly-Unreasonable-Redux&id=2860570 http://ezinearticles.com/?Publicly-Unreasonable-Redux&id=2860570 Abstract: In contemporary times, philosophy no longer takes the cosmos seriously as the pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece had done. Philosophy is no longer regarded as an enterprise with authority on the knowledge of the universe. As an object of study, the cosmos now belongs exclusively to the domain of science. The successful outcomes of scientific endeavors in investigating the universe have rendered philosophy less relevant in the area that constitutes its main field of interest. The rise of science as the authority on matters relating to the universe has therefore compelled philosophy to shift grounds elsewhere. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:50 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 There is probably nothing more insidious than human wars, where nations attack fellow members of their own species who all share the same DNA. Over what; territory, ideas, religion, economic theory, resources, or organizational theory; that does seem rather ridiculous doesn't it? And yet, that's what has been going on for thousands of years amongst the human race. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:10:41 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Indeed,-Ah-Ha,-the-Perennial-and-Perpetual-Battle-of-Good-and-Evil&id=3047921 http://ezinearticles.com/?Indeed,-Ah-Ha,-the-Perennial-and-Perpetual-Battle-of-Good-and-Evil&id=3047921 The nature of light has been contested throughout the history of modern science. Robert Hooke and Christiaan Huygens begun working on a wave theory of light in the 1670s, this was reliant on the idea that light waves must propagate through a medium and so the void between the Sun and the Earth must be filled with an aether. In 1704 Newton suggested a corpuscular (particle) theory of light and presented experimental results proving his theory. This was controversial, however, because Newton needed to appeal to wave like qualities in order to explain diffraction. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:16:47 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-Quantum-Mechanics&id=1060943 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-Quantum-Mechanics&id=1060943 The discourse on problem of rationality in African Philosophy has been associated historically with two related happenings: Western discourse in Africa and the African response to it . The Western discourse had come in form of such notorious proclamations and claims as "reason is Greek", "emotion is African", which meant to them that Africans are not rational. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:51:49 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Problem-of-Rationality-in-the-History-of-African-Philosophy&id=2992308 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Problem-of-Rationality-in-the-History-of-African-Philosophy&id=2992308 Rene Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He was educated at the Jesuit. Unlike some other philosophers and scientist he relied on logic and math in his reasoning. Descartes "deduced and additional principle, the separation of mind and matter." Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:22:35 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?According-to-Primary-Source-How-Would-Descartes-Define-Scientific-Method?&id=2923598 http://ezinearticles.com/?According-to-Primary-Source-How-Would-Descartes-Define-Scientific-Method?&id=2923598 So we have a major feature film and tons of debates going on about what is really going to happen come December 21st, 2012. Is it really going to be the end of mankind as we know it? Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:39:28 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?2012-Is-This-the-End-For-Mankind?&id=2985048 http://ezinearticles.com/?2012-Is-This-the-End-For-Mankind?&id=2985048 There is a built-in flow, or logic, to every idea, every event in life, and every person. There is, if you like, a beginning, a middle, and an end to everything and everyone - and the process of moving from the beginning, through the middle, to the end is conditioned by the beginning. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:10:21 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Logic-of-Life&id=2934481 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Logic-of-Life&id=2934481 Henrik Ibsen and Eugene O'Neill, the eminent European and American playwrights, included within their vision of man and his way of living a perplexing tendency towards the concept of utopia. Utopian thinking can be followed from Plato and his vision to the nineteenth century. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:43:39 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Utopian-Thinking-From-Plato-to-Ibsen-and-ONeill&id=2881156 http://ezinearticles.com/?Utopian-Thinking-From-Plato-to-Ibsen-and-ONeill&id=2881156 We Americans are slowly, but unmistakably, coming to the unsettling realization that our hegemony keeps seeking its own expansion and empowerment, whether it is run by one party or the other. In the end it is all a matter of power, its accumulation and consolidation. And no matter what Obama said in Moscow earlier this summer about the acquisition of power no longer being a zero sum game, he was just smirking at Putin and us through his pretty teeth. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:28:28 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Zero-Sum-Game-The-Hegemon-Speaks&id=2958350 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Zero-Sum-Game-The-Hegemon-Speaks&id=2958350 Marcus Garvey delivered a speech in Madison Square Garden on March 16, 1924, advocating "Africa for Africans." His speech met with resistance to many non-Africans and some African-Americans. He didn't see his dreams turned into reality. Today, America is a most diverse nation with many people from various nations as the melting pot of the world. Could Garvey have been wrong, or was he partially right? Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:03:27 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Africa-For-Africans-Speech-Delivered-by-Marcus-Garvey-at-Madison-Square-Garden,-New-York&id=2886047 http://ezinearticles.com/?Africa-For-Africans-Speech-Delivered-by-Marcus-Garvey-at-Madison-Square-Garden,-New-York&id=2886047 Okay, the deities of yogic philosophy may not exactly be lost -- they're actually making quite the comeback -- but it is the way they're being rediscovered that is remarkable. Yogis and yoginis worldwide are learning about these strange and wonderful beings in a new kind of story time. These ancient stories are being revived, revamped, and shared in a most curious and empowering way. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:59:25 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Raiders-of-the-Lost-Archetypes-The-Gods-of-Yoga&id=2878947 http://ezinearticles.com/?Raiders-of-the-Lost-Archetypes-The-Gods-of-Yoga&id=2878947 Abstract: In contemporary times, philosophy no longer takes the cosmos seriously as the pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece had done. Philosophy is no longer regarded as an enterprise with authority on the knowledge of the universe. As an object of study, the cosmos now belongs exclusively to the domain of science. The successful outcomes of scientific endeavors in investigating the universe have rendered philosophy less relevant in the area that constitutes its main field of interest. The rise of science as the authority on matters relating to the universe has therefore compelled philosophy to shift grounds elsewhere. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:40:02 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 You wish to speak on civil society? On civil liberties? Or perhaps on something more urbane such as urban studies? How will you evaluate your attempts? Can you say with certainty that, yes indeed, the mortal god, Leviathan, must be erected in the first? That property rights are needed to secure the second as opposed to centralized redistribution? Or that garden cities are necessary for human happiness in the third? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:31:24 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intellectual-Barbarism&id=2757634 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intellectual-Barbarism&id=2757634 Not long ago, an acquaintance asked me what the common denominators of all humans were. What are those things that are common to all people, regardless of culture, race, or nationality? Now realize, this question probably needs a little more explanation. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:36 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Common-Denominators-of-All-Humans?&id=2992339 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Common-Denominators-of-All-Humans?&id=2992339 The study of space is very important, and we need to consider that as we live in this biosphere traveling through space, riding along on this pale blue dot that things outside of our world affect us here on Earth. Therefore, we should worry about what comes from space; including the theories behind the movie Andromeda Strain. And we ought to also be very concerned about other things such as; Asteroid, Solar Flare, Blown up star, Ripples in Space time, Black Hole, Space Radiation, Sun Expansion, Moon Falling into us. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:08 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-We-Worry-About-Something-From-Space-Wiping-Out-the-Human-Race?&id=2992326 http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-We-Worry-About-Something-From-Space-Wiping-Out-the-Human-Race?&id=2992326 What happens if the human race discovers super intelligent beings outside of our world, or perhaps already living here in secret colonies? This is a science fiction question to get your brain working, and one I thought I might ask you, as an acquaintance the other day asked me the same question. This is the kind of thing that science fiction writers need to do to get their creative flow and juices going. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:16:49 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-If-Super-Intelligent-Beings-Found-the-Human-Race-Then-What?&id=2992318 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-If-Super-Intelligent-Beings-Found-the-Human-Race-Then-What?&id=2992318 "If there is no God, then what on earth is the purpose of life?" I was recently asked this at Starbucks by a devout Christian, who claimed he was a scholar and a philosopher as well. So we began talking, and I told him, that I was not so concerned with the purpose of life, rather than enjoying the life experience. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:14:35 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Let-Us-Say-There-is-No-God-What-Then-is-the-Purpose-of-Life?&id=2992296 http://ezinearticles.com/?Let-Us-Say-There-is-No-God-What-Then-is-the-Purpose-of-Life?&id=2992296 Could you strip naked and jump in a stranger's pool five times and make a big splash at the risk of getting caught if Jesus told you to? You'd have to be mad and out of your mind wouldn't you? Well I was at the time and was soon locked up in a hospital for ten weeks, till I was normal again. Come read about that and some things I am mad with Christians over and some advice in these coming perilous times from a mentally ill prophet/teacher/evangelist! Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:46:36 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Some-Madness-From-a-Mad-Prophet&id=362690 http://ezinearticles.com/?Some-Madness-From-a-Mad-Prophet&id=362690 As a collective consciousness we are the most potent generation on earth today. Maybe most of us like you or myself, we do not feel or notice anything is occurring on a significant level. This is what the change is all about it is virtually unnoticeable but it has already in motion now. Some of us are indeed gaining such sensitivity and realization that literally he could feel this change and anything around him depending on what is the focus of his attention. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:04:27 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Collective-Consciousness&id=2935150 http://ezinearticles.com/?Collective-Consciousness&id=2935150 In a prior article "Publicly Unreasonable" I discussed what John Rawls meant by "justice as fairness": free persons, unbeholden to no one, engaging in a joint activity, settling and consenting to the rules that define their respective benefits and burdens. Only under these circumstances can a community be said to be constituted fairly, justly. All else is unjustified force of one sort or another. Rawls believed this answered the question, "how is it possible that there can be a stable and just society whose free and equal citizens are deeply divided by conflicting and even incommensurable religious, philosophical and moral doctrines." (Political Liberalism 1996: 133). I turn now to the second half of Rawls' political doctrine, the idea of the overlapping consensus. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:23:20 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Publicly-Unreasonable-Redux&id=2860570 http://ezinearticles.com/?Publicly-Unreasonable-Redux&id=2860570 Many people see civilization and society as totally random, completely chaotic, and sometimes out of control. Indeed, it seems as if the more we try to control it, the more freedoms we take away from everyone, and the less happy everyone is. And yet, if things get too crazy, we have protests in the streets, food shortages, fuel shortages, and a tremendous number of people experiencing discontent, and a disconnection from their fellow man and their government. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:03:21 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-World-is-Not-Random,-You-Just-Dont-Get-String-Theory-Quite-Yet-But-There-is-Still-Hope&id=2975586 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-World-is-Not-Random,-You-Just-Dont-Get-String-Theory-Quite-Yet-But-There-is-Still-Hope&id=2975586 I ran across terminologies like merchant account service and merchant accounts on the web. I could not help but mused on it in terms of philosophy. One of my favorite philosophers is Paul Ricouer. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:30:59 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-Merchant-Accounts&id=1509042 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-Merchant-Accounts&id=1509042 Tibetan Buddhist Art comes in many forms and uses. The earliest forms of Tibetan Buddhist art were made shortly after Buddha's death his closest followers began to make icons of the Buddha but many felt that there was no possible way anything man made could come close to the memory of his enlightening presence so wheels (Life) and trees were used instead (enlightenment). Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:05:13 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Enlightened-Fat-Man?-Tibetan-Buddhist-Art&id=2955043 http://ezinearticles.com/?Enlightened-Fat-Man?-Tibetan-Buddhist-Art&id=2955043 Do you ever think about your trials and tribulations and wonder if life is worth the daily effort you must put forth? You've probably noticed that as soon as one desire is satisfied a new one pops up and demands satisfaction. You feel as if you are on an endless treadmill of attempting to satisfy wants and desires. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:03:51 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Life,-Human-Action-and-Universal-Harmony&id=2951678 http://ezinearticles.com/?Life,-Human-Action-and-Universal-Harmony&id=2951678 She threw her hand up against my chest as I started to dash past, "Stop, just watch for a minute!" Stopping in my tracks and feeling embarrassment beginning to crawl up my arms, I looked at Moms face and saw it was for naught! For she was in her own world and my three year old was the cause, walking along popping the tops off of every marigold she had so tediously planted and anxiously awaited the blooming of! Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:31:49 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Do-Marigold-Tops-and-a-Three-Year-Old-Have-in-Common?&id=2832551 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Do-Marigold-Tops-and-a-Three-Year-Old-Have-in-Common?&id=2832551 The following is my opinion about this thing call Compassion. It is not a definitive article though. Compassion, in my view, is a very crucial element for sustainability. This is even more relevant to the current volatile world of ours. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:19:38 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Compassion-Sustains-the-World&id=259650 http://ezinearticles.com/?Compassion-Sustains-the-World&id=259650 Is it true that we all have a special face for each of our friends? We are the same person but why do our friends see us differently? Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:48:01 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Special-Face-For-Every-Friend&id=2901014 http://ezinearticles.com/?Special-Face-For-Every-Friend&id=2901014 In my opinion, we live our life on the basis of beliefs. We, literally live in a huge belief system. So seamlessly integrated (into our world) are some beliefs that most people assume that they are natural and accepted them without questioning. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:36:44 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?We-Live-in-a-System-of-Beliefs&id=245804 http://ezinearticles.com/?We-Live-in-a-System-of-Beliefs&id=245804 In this article, I am describing a spiritual realisation. It can be difficult and uneasy to read. But I hope to challenge the Reader to question upon what is generally being accepted as true. The question for ponderance is: Does our personality have free will? Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:04:49 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Our-Personality-Have-Free-Will?&id=211821 http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Our-Personality-Have-Free-Will?&id=211821 Abstract: In contemporary times, philosophy no longer takes the cosmos seriously as the pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece had done. Philosophy is no longer regarded as an enterprise with authority on the knowledge of the universe. As an object of study, the cosmos now belongs exclusively to the domain of science. The successful outcomes of scientific endeavors in investigating the universe have rendered philosophy less relevant in the area that constitutes its main field of interest. The rise of science as the authority on matters relating to the universe has therefore compelled philosophy to shift grounds elsewhere. Nevertheless, the cosmos is an area of inquiry that is too important for philosophy to cease its interest. It is because of the importance of the subject and the need to redirect the attention of philosophy back to its study that the Philosophy of the Cosmos has been conceived. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:44:51 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Philosophy-of-the-Cosmos-The-New-Philosophical-View-of-the-Universe&id=2878220 Ben and I are sitting at a faculty room table discussing the theory of Recurrence. I'm pointing out some of the difficulties that I find in accepting the theory... Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:08:02 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Problems-With-the-Theory-of-Recurrence&id=2869227 http://ezinearticles.com/?Problems-With-the-Theory-of-Recurrence&id=2869227 The movie Confessions of a Shopaholic was a particularly interesting movie for me. I write about getting out of debt and the character in this movie, Rebecca Bloomwood, was a perfect specimen of the type of person I want to help. She maxed out all her credit cards and somehow still found ways to keep spending money under the belief that the next new item in the store would "define her". She was always looking for that new clothing item that would "define her", when the hundreds of other items she bought for the same purpose failed to do so, at least for very long. Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:07:04 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Worldview-Behind-Confessions-of-a-Shopaholic&id=2927371 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Worldview-Behind-Confessions-of-a-Shopaholic&id=2927371 What makes up the individual? What causes them to do what they do, or not do what they might? Have you ever asked yourself who you are? Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:40:42 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-We?&id=2936919 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-We?&id=2936919 You wish to speak on civil society? oOn civil liberties? Or perhaps on something more urbane such as urban studies? How will you evaluate your attempts? Can you say with certainty that, yes indeed, the mortal god, Leviathan, must be erected in the first? That property rights are needed to secure the second as opposed to centralized redistribution? Or that garden cities are necessary for human happiness in the third? Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:04:10 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intellectual-Barbarism&id=2757634 http://ezinearticles.com/?Intellectual-Barbarism&id=2757634 I found Slumdog Millionaire to be a curious movie. It comes from the emerging "Bollywood" in India, and it exposes the contradictions of the worldview that is prevalent in the area, that has perpetuated the caste system. This movie is all about the human struggle in the lower end of the caste system. When Americans see this film, they are appalled by the oppression, yet the caste system is an integral part of the society in that part of the world where Hinduism prevails. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:27:54 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Worldview-Behind-Slumdog-Millionaire&id=2948751 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Worldview-Behind-Slumdog-Millionaire&id=2948751 There is a good discussion on luck available in Wikipedia. It defines luck as follows:- "Luck is a way of understanding a personal chance event. Luck has three aspects which make it distinct from chance or probability 1. Luck is good or bad 2. Luck is by accident or chance 3. Luck applies to a person or group of people." "Luck" is generally used as a matter of chance. For example, if a person wins in a lottery, he is considered to be lucky. If the captain of the cricket team wins the toss, he may be considered lucky. Losing toss is never considered lucky but sometimes it proves otherwise. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:41:22 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Luck-and-Its-Significance-in-Our-Life?&id=2842816 http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Luck-and-Its-Significance-in-Our-Life?&id=2842816 So when Charles Schulz picked up his phone, I started asking the five journalistic W's (Who, what, when, why, and where). His (and others) advice turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. I was starting to "develop a philosophy" of cartooning. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:18:06 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-New-Philosophy-of-Cartooning&id=2475799 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-New-Philosophy-of-Cartooning&id=2475799 Generally humans are very predictable, although sometimes individual humans seem to fool us with their behavior, sometimes it is due to their deception, and other times it our own fault for falsely categorizing them, or stereotyping them in the wrong way. Either way, each time we are wrong we take note and take exception, each time we are right, we merely, say; "obviously, I thought so!" Now then, what are the criteria for judging human nature or predicting the movements of people, groups, and individuals? Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:41:41 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Can-We-Predict-Human-Nature?&id=2864451 http://ezinearticles.com/?Can-We-Predict-Human-Nature?&id=2864451 I remarked in "Machiavellian Truth" that the teaching of effectual truth leaves an exceedingly large leeway in the area of ethics and action for the political ruler. I turn now to Machiavelli's heirs. Hobbes and Locke were more restricted in their teachings, Hobbes by a fundamental moral right of self-preservation, or security and Locke by a fundamental moral right of comfortable self-preservation, or property. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:53:16 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Limiting-the-Leviathan&id=2830014 http://ezinearticles.com/?Limiting-the-Leviathan&id=2830014 While everyone often complains that we need a solution for a particular problem, the smart people are busy trying to seize opportunity during the chaos. It's much more difficult to solve problems that are complex with many details, but it is quite easy to jump into the sound and fury and grab hold of an instant opportunity has presented itself, as there is always opportunity in chaos. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:09:02 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?It-is-Better-to-Seize-Opportunity-in-Chaos-Than-to-Solve-Problems-of-Complexity&id=2863286 http://ezinearticles.com/?It-is-Better-to-Seize-Opportunity-in-Chaos-Than-to-Solve-Problems-of-Complexity&id=2863286 It is amazing how many people would like to change the world. They see something wrong or some injustice that they'd like to make right. They are usually bright enough to realize that even if they try they may fail, but they believe in the cause enough to go ahead and do it anyway. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:48:29 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Do-People-Start-Think-Tanks?&id=2872279 http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Do-People-Start-Think-Tanks?&id=2872279 You've seen it all over the newspapers, TV channels, radio babble, and from the man himself - "It ain't 'bout black or white", 2Pac...So I'm not going to add to it: this is not another piece about colour discrimination; or the various nuances about the 'political correctness' that surrounds it. 'Black' is a lot of things today, indeed it always has been. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:43:36 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Black-What-is-it-to-You?&id=2797574 http://ezinearticles.com/?Black-What-is-it-to-You?&id=2797574 When we conceive of man, do we think of him as man the maker, the manipulator of his environment or man the interpreter, the symbol-using and dreaming animal? How we conceive of ourselves will largely determine how we determine our final ends: if we believe we are unique for our opposable thumbs, for our ability to alleviate our lot by mastering our surroundings, then we will aim at the continued conquest of nature. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:45:22 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Freudian-Slip&id=2714220 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Freudian-Slip&id=2714220 What is comfort? Is comfort a state of mind or is it experiencing a life filled with material wealth? We tend to align comfort with the material aspects of life and focus our attention on acquiring more wealth like a religious order. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:43:06 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Religion-of-Comfort&id=2840982 http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Religion-of-Comfort&id=2840982 Do you think that Atlantis existed? Are you puzzled by this mystery from the past? What makes it so important? How do you cope with the mystery of our existence? Is there an underlying truth in the Atlantis legend? Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:56:46 -0500 http://ezinearticles.com/?Atlantis-Island-Beneath-the-Sea&id=2784332 http://ezinearticles.com/?Atlantis-Island-Beneath-the-Sea&id=2784332 Copyright 2009 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved.