Philosophy@Utah State

Click here for another in the endless line of Downfall parodies.  This time, Hitler learns that he was not accepted to a philosophy grad program.

My favorite is his dejected resignation at the end of the clip:

“Everything Betrand Russel said about the value of philosophy: freedom from the tryanny of custom and unbridled opportunities for true contemplation, it’s all a sham. … Philosophy won’t do anything but break you heart, crush your spirit, and make you an annoying person to be around at parties.  … Get me an application for Walmart.”

Here is an interesting article on the failings of contemporary Intelligent Design arguments.  Folks like me who have great sympathy for traditional design arguments have always been frustrated by the hijacking of this argument by the contemporary irreducible complexity/god of the gaps ID movement – a movement which undermines science and, frankly, undermines one of the best arguments for the existence of God.  For those that are put off by contemporary ID arguments, don’t write off Thomas and other traditional design theorists with the same stroke.  Aquinas’ design argument is strengthened by the success of science, not weakened by it.  Here is a passage from the article:

“The emphasis in early Christian writings was not on complexity, irreducible or otherwise, but on the beauty, order, lawfulness, and harmony found in the world that God had made. As science advances, it brings this beautiful order ever more clearly into view.  … … But whereas the advance of science continually strengthens the broader and more traditional version of the design argument, the ID movement’s version is hostage to every advance in biological science. Science must fail for ID to succeed. In the famous “explanatory filter” of William A. Dembski, one finds “design” by eliminating “law” and “chance” as explanations. This, in effect, makes it a zero-sum game between God and nature. What nature does and science can explain is crossed off the list, and what remains is the evidence for God. This conception of design plays right into the hands of atheists, whose caricature of religion has always been that it is a substitute for the scientific understanding of nature.”

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.