The HBO show Westworld recently concluded its first season. A remake of the understated 70’s Michael Crichton film, the series effectively brings the concept of an “adult” theme park to the 21st century. However if the show were mere titillation and murder there would be little to praise here. Thankfully Westworld strikes out in a different direction. … More Westworld’s Curious Anti-Sexuality
The ordinary philosopher – a philosopher, that is, not altogether sophistical, not altogether bad at his work – cannot wholly escape insanity, cannot but have a touch of madness mixed among the various humors of soul combined and roiling within him. It is, I dare say, the price of–seeing, in this twisted, broken world of … More Philosophy and Insanity
Does it matter at all what religion one adheres to, or even whether or not one is religious at all? Many would answer in the negative – if not to both, at least to the first. If there is a God at all, they may contend, would he not simply accept me the way I … More Why Religion Matters: An Approach in Light of Duns Scotus
“Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.” [Thereof one cannot speak, thereover one must be silent.” (Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, proposition 7) Wittgenstein’s contention seems reasonable enough: If something transcends (or even falls below?) the ambit of human discourse, our total “language game” – the words we use and how we use them – … More The Incarnation and the Possibility of Theology as Science: Toward a Post-Wittgenstein Appreciation
There is prudence in not trying to fight along the lines of battle as one wishes they were drawn or thinks they should be drawn, but rather as they are in fact drawn. Otherwise, one stands to lose the battle, as one’s strategy ceases to be informed by the actual state of things. This goes … More A Proposal of Strategy in the Battle over Marriage
The Leftovers has captured my interest with its sensitive portrayal of nonbelievers attempting to grapple with a scenario seemingly straight out of Revelation. One progressive entertainment website proclaimed the show to be “…A Great Model For Coping With Other People’s Religion.” Ideologically The Leftovers is decidedly left-liberal, though not to the point of unpleasantness. Protagonists … More The Leftovers: Faith vs Liberalism
Some time ago I watched HBO’s standalone season 2 of the murder mystery True Detective. Despite a lukewarm reaction from both critics and audiences for plot pacing and dialogue issues there was something about the story that stayed with me. The show is ostensibly about a murder being investigated by four “detectives,” a gangster, … More The Unlikely Redemption of True Detective Season Two
Art, in as far as I understand it, may be considered from two aspects, namely the form and the matter. By the form of art I understand the hollow structure and composition of a given piece. For instance, in the case of poems one may consider metre and rhyme. On the other hand, by matter … More Famously Infamous James Bond
I just came across the cannons of the First Council of the Nicea. I have to say that the practice of the early Church was rather different. I am just posting two short paragraphs to compare. Nicea I Cannon 11. Concerning those who have transgressed without necessity or the confiscation of their property or without … More Practical Mercifulness in Nicea I and Amoris Laetitia
It has been already pointed out that Descartes intended to replace Aristotelian philosophy. This intention necessarily shows itself in his treatment of the substance and accident. One of the main differences consist in Descart’s denial of the reality of accidents. “Secondly it is completely contradictory that there should be any real accidents, since whatever is … More Descartes – Few Words about Senses and Accidents
The Owl 