Superheroes vs. Utilitarianism 09/10/2018 Superheroes are the people we want to be. We all have our own favorite superheroes, and in comparison we may like others less, but each one is a character based on deeply held and highly esteemed common virtues. They are our heroes, given immensely more power, concentrated into a “superhero”. Thus, in looking at the character of a superhero, we can observe our values and ideas in concentrated, caricaturized form. This allows us to see clearly the values we and society hold, because when we
Superheroes are the people we want to be. We all have our own favorite superheroes, and in comparison we may like others less, but each one is a character based on deeply held and highly esteemed common virtues. They are our heroes, given immensely more power, concentrated into a “superhero”. Thus, in looking at the character of a superhero, we can observe our values and ideas in concentrated, caricaturized form. This allows us to see clearly the values we and society hold, because when we
From Sentimentalism to Compassion 02/24/2017 Compassion is a common buzzword in moral movements—but it is used in sentiment, rather than any understanding. Sentimentalism is the lowest form of care we can offer our fellow travelers in this world, and sentimentalism pretending to be compassion is the grossest malignancy dressed as a virtue. Compassion is indeed a virtue, and it should be our goal to have compassion—to develop compassion. Yet it is said with a snap of the fingers. Do it. Is it so easy? One ought not say no. But the answer
Compassion is a common buzzword in moral movements—but it is used in sentiment, rather than any understanding. Sentimentalism is the lowest form of care we can offer our fellow travelers in this world, and sentimentalism pretending to be compassion is the grossest malignancy dressed as a virtue. Compassion is indeed a virtue, and it should be our goal to have compassion—to develop compassion. Yet it is said with a snap of the fingers. Do it. Is it so easy? One ought not say no. But the answer
On Death and Christmas 12/10/2016 “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not.” Yoda (Episode III) “Thy dead shall live, Lord… your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead” Isaiah 26:19 Perhaps this will seem a morbid topic for the Holiday season, yet what is it we celebrate on Christmas? We celebrate (in the traditional understanding) the birth of Jesus Christ. And why do we celebrate his birth? We celebrate
“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not.” Yoda (Episode III) “Thy dead shall live, Lord… your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead” Isaiah 26:19 Perhaps this will seem a morbid topic for the Holiday season, yet what is it we celebrate on Christmas? We celebrate (in the traditional understanding) the birth of Jesus Christ. And why do we celebrate his birth? We celebrate
Those We Cannot Help 10/14/2016 Everyone at every moment has access to God, to infinite peace, to absolute freedom. But not everyone accesses it or knows it is there. Those who do know it is there naturally want others to know that it is there for them too. “The good which everyone who follows after virtue seeks for himself he will also desire for other men; and his desire on their behalf will be greater in proportion as he has a greater knowledge of God” (Spinoza). But there remains the inevitability that some people won’t
Everyone at every moment has access to God, to infinite peace, to absolute freedom. But not everyone accesses it or knows it is there. Those who do know it is there naturally want others to know that it is there for them too. “The good which everyone who follows after virtue seeks for himself he will also desire for other men; and his desire on their behalf will be greater in proportion as he has a greater knowledge of God” (Spinoza). But there remains the inevitability that some people won’t
You, My Audience 08/26/2016 In the last post, The Aggregate Self and the Cap Peddler, we looked at the plural and insubstantial nature of our conceived personal consciousness. Now we will take that internal theme and turn it outwards. The yoga sutras say, “a yogi’s ego sense alone is the cause of [other] artificially created minds”. That is to say that, in so far as I believe in myself—my own “I” center or ego—I will believe that one is present in others as well (see the previous post and 'The Public Eye'). But when one
In the last post, The Aggregate Self and the Cap Peddler, we looked at the plural and insubstantial nature of our conceived personal consciousness. Now we will take that internal theme and turn it outwards. The yoga sutras say, “a yogi’s ego sense alone is the cause of [other] artificially created minds”. That is to say that, in so far as I believe in myself—my own “I” center or ego—I will believe that one is present in others as well (see the previous post and 'The Public Eye'). But when one
'Like' If You Would Help Jesus Up 08/17/2016 Perhaps you have seen this meme or others like it. Now we can endlessly argue about the value or effects of online activism and the awareness and attention garnered there. I think the prevailing sentiment is that it is ineffective, and that even if the awareness is good, that people quickly drift to new problems or distractions. There is certainly evidence for this. But let me offer another, more positive, outlook. I recently saw a meme that said something like “the internet is our new brain;
Perhaps you have seen this meme or others like it. Now we can endlessly argue about the value or effects of online activism and the awareness and attention garnered there. I think the prevailing sentiment is that it is ineffective, and that even if the awareness is good, that people quickly drift to new problems or distractions. There is certainly evidence for this. But let me offer another, more positive, outlook. I recently saw a meme that said something like “the internet is our new brain;
On Alien Life 07/13/2016 The only way to truly be alien is to have your back to God. First, though perhaps least easily seen for most, it must be noted that we are all alien to each other. We all have completely different backgrounds and life-paths even without delving into metaphysics. We make the distinction between citizen and alien[*] on the level of countries on this planet (or in this culture on this planet) but could it not just as easily be made at the level of states? What about counties? Towns? Families?
The only way to truly be alien is to have your back to God. First, though perhaps least easily seen for most, it must be noted that we are all alien to each other. We all have completely different backgrounds and life-paths even without delving into metaphysics. We make the distinction between citizen and alien[*] on the level of countries on this planet (or in this culture on this planet) but could it not just as easily be made at the level of states? What about counties? Towns? Families?
