Philosophy in a Meaningless Life
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Life Without Meaning? Richard Norman
17 Life Without Meaning? Richard Norman The Alpha Course, a well‐known evangelical Christian programme, advertises itself with posters displaying the words THE MEANING OF LIFE IS_________, followed by the invitation ‘Fill in the blanks at alpha.org’. Followers of the course will discover that ‘Men and women were created to live in a relationship with God’, and that ‘without that relationship there will always be a hunger, an emptiness, a feeling that something is missing’.1 We all have that need because we are all sinners, we are told, and the truth which will fill the need is that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins. Not all Christian or other religious views about the meaning of life are as simplistic as this, but they typically share the assumptions that the meaning of life is to be found in some belief whose truth we need to recognize, and that this is a belief about the purpose for which we exist. A further implication is that this purpose is the purpose intended by the God who created us, and that if we fail to identify and live in accordance with that purpose, our lives will lack meaning. The assumption is echoed in the question many humanists will have encountered: if you don’t believe in a God, what’s the point of it all? And many people who don’t share the answer still accept the legitimacy of the question – ‘What is the meaning of life?’ – and assume that what we need is a correct belief, religious or non‐religious, which will fill the blank in the sentence ‘The meaning of life is …’. -
Gdowth Should Detudn...Some
INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE THOROUGHBRED INVESTOR JUNE 2010 Yearling Sales Preview By Eric Mitchell 2. YEARLING AUCTION REVIEW GROWTH SHOULD RETURN...SOME BY SALE, '05-'07 hat will happen in the Thoroughbred yearling and the overall quality of the horses should improve 4. LEADING Wmarket is particularly hard to predict this year. as sellers become more selective about the yearlings CONSIGNORS OF Many influences of equal importance, both positive and they offer. The ROR should also improve slightly com- YEARLINGS '05-'07 negative, could shape the market, but which of these pared with 2009. The select 2-year-olds sales experi- influences will predominate is the big question. enced an increase in ROR to 70%, up from 30% in 2008. 5. LEADING BUYERS In 2009 the rate of return on pinhooked yearlings hit The average juvenile price improved to $160,732 from OF YEARLINGS a rock-bottom low of -42.2%. It didn’t help sellers that $147,528. Clearly, there is still an appetite for acquiring '05-'07 these horses had been bred on the highest average stud Thoroughbreds, so an increase in the average yearling fee ($31,462) seen in the last 10 years, and the average price between 5% and 10% is not unreasonable, though 6. RACING STATS yearling price also fell 31% as part of the fallout from the such an increase would still produce losing RORs for the FOR SUMMER global financial crisis. pinhook yearling market. The average pinhook yearling SIRES PROGENY Sellers don't get any relief on the cost side this year price would have to grow at least 18% to $57,884 for sell- because North American stud fees were still relatively ers to break even collectively. -
Philosophical Theory-Construction and the Self-Image of Philosophy
Open Journal of Philosophy, 2014, 4, 231-243 Published Online August 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojpp http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpp.2014.43031 Philosophical Theory-Construction and the Self-Image of Philosophy Niels Skovgaard Olsen Department of Philosophy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany Email: [email protected] Received 25 May 2014; revised 28 June 2014; accepted 10 July 2014 Copyright © 2014 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract This article takes its point of departure in a criticism of the views on meta-philosophy of P.M.S. Hacker for being too dismissive of the possibility of philosophical theory-construction. But its real aim is to put forward an explanatory hypothesis for the lack of a body of established truths and universal research programs in philosophy along with the outline of a positive account of what philosophical theories are and of how to assess them. A corollary of the present account is that it allows us to account for the objective dimension of philosophical discourse without taking re- course to the problematic idea of there being worldly facts that function as truth-makers for phi- losophical claims. Keywords Meta-Philosophy, Hacker, Williamson, Philosophical Theories 1. Introduction The aim of this article is to use a critical discussion of the self-image of philosophy presented by P. M. S. Hacker as a platform for presenting an alternative, which offers an account of how to think about the purpose and cha- racter of philosophical theories. -
Defending the Subjective Component of Susan Wolf's
Defending the Subjective Component of Susan Wolf’s “Fitting Fulfillment View” About Meaning in Life. Andreas Hjälmarö Andreas Hjälmarö Kandidatuppsats Filosofi, 15 hp. Ht 2016 Handledare Frans Svensson Umeå Universitet, Umeå Table of content Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 The question .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Common answers .......................................................................................................................... 8 The nihilistic view ............................................................................................................................ 8 The super-naturalistic view ............................................................................................................. 8 The naturalistic view ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Wolf’s view – a combination ...................................................................................................... -
On Becoming a Pragmatic Researcher: the Importance of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 482 462 TM 035 389 AUTHOR Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J.; Leech, Nancy L. TITLE On Becoming a Pragmatic Researcher: The Importance of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies. PUB DATE 2003-11-00 NOTE 25p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association (Biloxi, MS, November 5-7, 2003). PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) Speeches/Meeting Papers (150) EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Pragmatics; *Qualitative Research; *Research Methodology; *Researchers ABSTRACT The last 100 years have witnessed a fervent debate in the United States about quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Unfortunately, this has led to a great divide between quantitative and qualitative researchers, who often view themselves in competition with each other. Clearly, this polarization has promoted purists, i.e., researchers who restrict themselves exclusively to either quantitative or qualitative research methods. Mono-method research is the biggest threat to the advancement of the social sciences. As long as researchers stay polarized in research they cannot expect stakeholders who rely on their research findings to take their work seriously. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the debate between quantitative and qualitative is divisive, and thus counterproductive for advancing the social and behavioral science field. This paper advocates that all graduate students learn to use and appreciate both quantitative and qualitative research. In so doing, students will develop into what is termed "pragmatic researchers." (Contains 41 references.) (Author/SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. On Becoming a Pragmatic Researcher 1 Running head: ON BECOMING A PRAGMATIC RESEARCHER U.S. -
God As Both Ideal and Real Being in the Aristotelian Metaphysics
God As Both Ideal and Real Being In the Aristotelian Metaphysics Martin J. Henn St. Mary College Aristotle asserts in Metaphysics r, 1003a21ff. that "there exists a science which theorizes on Being insofar as Being, and on those attributes which belong to it in virtue of its own nature."' In order that we may discover the nature of Being Aristotle tells us that we must first recognize that the term "Being" is spoken in many ways, but always in relation to a certain unitary nature, and not homonymously (cf. Met. r, 1003a33-4). Beings share the same name "eovta," yet they are not homonyms, for their Being is one and the same, not manifold and diverse. Nor are beings synonyms, for synonymy is sameness of name among things belonging to the same genus (as, say, a man and an ox are both called "animal"), and Being is no genus. Furthermore, synonyms are things sharing a common intrinsic nature. But things are called "beings" precisely because they share a common relation to some one extrinsic nature. Thus, beings are neither homonyms nor synonyms, yet their core essence, i.e. their Being as such, is one and the same. Thus, the unitary Being of beings must rest in some unifying nature extrinsic to their respective specific essences. Aristotle's dialectical investigations into Being eventually lead us to this extrinsic nature in Book A, i.e. to God, the primary Essence beyond all specific essences. In the pre-lambda books of the Metaphysics, however, this extrinsic nature remains very much up for grabs. -
Antinatalism and Moral Particularism Gerald K
Essays in Philosophy Volume 20 Article 5 Issue 1 Is Procreation Immoral? 1-22-2019 Antinatalism and Moral Particularism Gerald K. Harrison Massey University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.pacificu.edu/eip Recommended Citation Harrison, Gerald K. () "Antinatalism and Moral Particularism," Essays in Philosophy: Vol. 20: Iss. 1, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.7710/ 1526-0569.1629 Essays in Philosophy is a biannual journal published by Pacific nivU ersity Library | ISSN 1526-0569 | http://commons.pacificu.edu/eip/ Essays in Philosophy ISSN 1526-0569 | Essays in Philosophy is published by the Pacific University Libraries Volume 20, Issue 1 (2019) Antinatalism and Moral Particularism Gerald K. Harrison Massey University Abstract I believe most acts of human procreation are immoral, and I believe this despite also believing in the truth of moral particularism. In this paper I explain why. I argue that procreative acts possess numerous features that, in other contexts, seem typically to operate with negative moral valences. Other things being equal this gives us reason to believe they will operate negatively in the context of procreative acts as well. However, most people’s intuitions represent procreative acts to be morally permissible in most circumstances. Given moral particularism, this would normally be good evidence that procreative acts are indeed morally permissible and that the features that operate negatively elsewhere, simply do not do so in the context of procreative acts in particular. But I argue that we have no good reason to think our intuitions about the ethics of human procreation are accurate. -
Evaluating the Sociology of First Amendment Silence Mae Kuykendall
Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly Volume 42 Article 3 Number 4 Summer 2015 1-1-2015 Evaluating the Sociology of First Amendment Silence Mae Kuykendall Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.uchastings.edu/ hastings_constitutional_law_quaterly Part of the Constitutional Law Commons Recommended Citation Mae Kuykendall, Evaluating the Sociology of First Amendment Silence, 42 Hastings Const. L.Q. 695 (2015). Available at: https://repository.uchastings.edu/hastings_constitutional_law_quaterly/vol42/iss4/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly by an authorized editor of UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Evaluating the Sociology of First Amendment Silence by MAE KUYKENDALL* Introduction Silence is that curious answer to the riddle, "What is golden and disappears when you speak its name?" In the context of First Amendment jurisprudence, Silence is just as puzzling as a riddle. Silence may be used as a verb, as in, to cause a speaker to cease speaking or as a noun, as in, the absence of speaking or sound. In either form, Silence has long been recognized as a rhetorical vehicle for expression. As it is wont to do, Silence often sits quietly in the interstices of First Amendment doctrine. But when she speaks, she roars. When Silence becomes speech, and that speech becomes law, Silence can get a thumping for its unseemly intrusion. The thumping of silence as legal doctrine, such as it has been, was a product of the Court's rescue of the Boy Scouts in Boy Scouts of America v. -
01. Pre-Socratic Cosmology and Plato I. Basic Issues (1) Metaphysical (A) What Do Things Consist Of? • One Substance (Monism) Socrates ("SOH-Kra-Teez") Died: 399 B.C
01. Pre-Socratic Cosmology and Plato I. Basic Issues (1) Metaphysical (a) What do things consist of? • one substance (monism) Socrates ("SOH-kra-teez") Died: 399 B.C. • many substances (pluralism) Problem of the One and the Many - How is diversity derived from unity? - How is unity derived from diversity? (b) What is the nature of change? (2) Epistemological (a) What is the nature of knowledge? (b) How is knowledge obtained? Three questions to keep in mind: 1. What counts as a "scientific" explanation of a phenomenon? • An account of the causes of the phenomenon? • An account that places the phenomenon within a larger explanatory framework? • An account of the phenomenon that indicates how it follows from basic laws of nature? 2. What counts as "scientific" knowledge? • Knowledge of causes, natural laws, and/or general physical principles? • Knowledge based on observation and inductive inference? • Knowledge that makes no appeal to supernatural causes? 3. What distinguishes a natural explanation from a supernatural explanation? • testability? • reliability? • accuracy? • repeatability? II. Pre-Socratics (~6th - 5th cent. B.C.) 1. Milesians and Monism (Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes) Thales ("THAY-leez") ~585 B.C. • The Earth rests on water. • Water is the archê (source) of all things. • All things are full of gods. • The magnet has a soul. Anaximander ("Ah-NAX-ee-mander") ~550 B.C. • Monism based on "apeiron". • "apeiron" = the infinite/indeterminate/unlimited. • lacking in qualities (boundedness, determinateness, limits, etc). Possible motivation • Observable phenomena are constituted from earth, air, fire, water. • But the elements are opposed to each other. • Thus, there must be some basic neutral substratum devoid of qualities out of which everything, including the elements, is constituted. -
Mating Analysis Liam's
MATING ANALYSIS You may submit your mare online at lanesend.com or call 859-873-7300 to discuss your matings with CHANCE TIMM, [email protected], JILL MCCULLY, [email protected] or LEVANA CAPRIA, [email protected]. LIAM’S MAP Unbridled’s Song - Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi 2011 Gray/roan | 16.1 1/2 Hands Liam’s Map possesses a unique pedigree that gives him an outstanding chance of carrying on the male line of the great sire Unbridled’s Song. His second dam, Yada Yada, by Great Above, is inbred 2x3 to the great racemare and broodmare Ta Wee. That pattern of having a closely inbred ancestor close up, whether it be broodmare sire or along the tail- female line, is a pedigree pattern that has appeared repeatedly in the pedigrees of great racehorses and line-founding sires since the dawn of thoroughbred history, beginning with the horse generally considered the first great racehorse Flying Childers, whose full brother Bartlett’s Childers is the grandsire of Eclipse, tail-male ancestor of more than 95% of modern Thoroughbreds. The most recent example is the unexpected leading sire Distorted Humor, whose second dam is inbred 3x3 to Turn-to. Since Unbridled’s Song’s sire Unbridled is also inbred 4x4 to Aspidistra, through her immortal son Dr. Fager (sire of the dam of Unbridled’s sire Fappiano) and his half-sister Magic, by Buckpasser, Unbridled’s third dam, that means Liam’s Map carries four crosses of one of the most influential broodmares of the 20th century, Aspidistra. With any new stallion it is always a good idea to reinforce the most important strains of his pedigree, and it is abundantly clear that Aspidistra’s influence was critical to the excellence of Liam’s Map. -
People's Power
#2 May 2011 Special Issue PersPectives Political analysis and commentary from the Middle East PeoPle’s Power the arab world in revolt Published by the Heinrich Böll stiftung 2011 This work is licensed under the conditions of a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. You can download an electronic version online. You are free to copy, distribute and transmit the work under the following conditions: Attribution - you must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work); Noncommercial - you may not use this work for commercial purposes; No Derivative Works - you may not alter, transform, or build upon this work. editor-in-chief: Layla Al-Zubaidi editors: Doreen Khoury, Anbara Abu-Ayyash, Joachim Paul Layout: Catherine Coetzer, c2designs, Cédric Hofstetter translators: Mona Abu-Rayyan, Joumana Seikaly, Word Gym Ltd. cover photograph: Gwenael Piaser Printed by: www.coloursps.com Additional editing, print edition: Sonya Knox Opinions expressed in articles are those of their authors, and not HBS. heinrich böll Foundation – Middle east The Heinrich Böll Foundation, associated with the German Green Party, is a legally autonomous and intellectually open political foundation. Our foremost task is civic education in Germany and abroad with the aim of promoting informed democratic opinion, socio-political commitment and mutual understanding. In addition, the Heinrich Böll Foundation supports artistic, cultural and scholarly projects, as well as cooperation in the development field. The political values of ecology, democracy, gender democracy, solidarity and non-violence are our chief points of reference. -
Nietzsche and the Pathologies of Meaning
Nietzsche and the Pathologies of Meaning Jeremy James Forster Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2016 © 2016 Jeremy James Forster All rights reserved ABSTRACT NIETZSCHE AND THE PATHOLOGIES OF MEANING Jeremy Forster My dissertation details what Nietzsche sees as a normative and philosophical crisis that arises in modern society. This crisis involves a growing sense of malaise that leads to large-scale questions about whether life in the modern world can be seen as meaningful and good. I claim that confronting this problem is a central concern throughout Nietzsche’s philosophical career, but that his understanding of this problem and its solution shifts throughout different phases of his thinking. Part of what is unique to Nietzsche’s treatment of this problem is his understanding that attempts to imbue existence with meaning are self-undermining, becoming pathological and only further entrenching the problem. Nietzsche’s solution to this problem ultimately resides in treating meaning as a spiritual need that can only be fulfilled through a creative interpretive process. CONTENTS Introduction 1 Chapter I: The Birth of Tragedy and the Problem of Meaning 30 Part I: Background 33 Part II: Meaningfulness in Artistic Cultures 45 Part III: Meaningfulness in Tragic Cultures 59 Part IV: Meaningfulness in Socratic Cultures 70 Conclusion: The Solution to Socratism 78 Chapter II: Meaning, Science, and the “Perceptions of Science