Philosophy@Utah State

This Q&A with Justice Clarence Thomas is worth a listen (about 90 minutes).  You’ll hear a defense of “originalism” but also passionate arguments against cynicism and other interesting personal asides.  Around minute 51 is an moving reflection on virtue (courage in particular) as a cardinal virtue (the virtue on which all other virtues hinge).

This announcement from SHAFT:

This is just a quick reminder that SHAFT has a movie showing tonight in Old Main 201 at 6pm.

We will be watching God on Trial, a discussion about the problem of suffering. Why is there so much suffering in the world and what kind of God would allow it to happen? Universal questions about faith and philosophy are at the heart of God on Trial, which was inspired by the legend that a group of concentration camp prisoners conducted a mock trial against the Almighty God.

This is a critically-acclaimed, thoughtful, and deeply affecting film. You won’t want to miss it. Snacks will be provided.

Here is an interesting article that looks at the recent Tiger Woods scandal from the point of view of Platonic psychology.

Prof McInerny died Friday morning.  Considered by many (including me) to be one of the intellectual giants of our times, he was as well known for his fiction work (particularly the Father Dowling mysteries) as his philosophical work.  Regarding the latter, he was one of the most astute commentators around on St. Thomas Aquinas and his work in that area has been enormously influential.  Thomas Hibbs comments on his passing here.

Today is the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas (patron saint of universities and academics).  I thought I would share a parody of the Summa on spanking children.  Click here.

Consider this case:

At 50, younger-Meredith (YM), just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, signs an advance directive (AD) expressing her preference that her doctors do not give her extraordinary treatment to keep her alive if she gets ill after having become demented. Meredith is an intellectual, someone who values the life of the mind, and she feels that to be kept alive when demented would make of her life a cruel joke. At 60, older-Meredith (OM) is demented but seemingly quite content with her life when she contracts pneumonia. When asked if she wants to be kept alive via extraordinary treatment, OM says yes. Whose preferences are morally authoritative, YM’s or OM’s?

Read more reflections on the case here.

A new book called ‘Evidence of the Afterlife” says that the scientific evidence says ‘yes there is’.  Read interview with author Dr. Jeffrey Long here.

More details here. Alfred Mele, the philosopher in question, has a very solid reputation, and has published interesting and important theories about agents and actions. I’m sure anything he comes up with will be worth studying. But it is funny to read how his university has tried to spin this news — they are working like mad to get him to say he’ll solve the free will problem, and he keeps cautioning that he doesn’t expect to do quite that.

The givers of the award, the Templeton foundation, have very deep pockets, but as we’ve discussed before, not everyone thinks it’s right to accept their money.

Note the nifty new “Sign me up to receive blog postings by email” button on the right sidebar. Just what you were hoping for!

Sponsored by the Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication. This is just for students who have taken courses in the department. You should send in a 150-200 word abstract of your presentation by March 11th. Download the pdf with more submission details here:

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS-2010

I will add that last year this was a lost of fun. We had enough students for a special philosophy session, where discussion was freeflowing and good-natured. I strongly encourage philosophy students to submit an abstract of a paper they wrote for class last term, or one they are working on now.