Author: Huenemann

Discovered here at Strange Doctrines. The post links to another blog, featuring a blow-by-blow account of a stiff debate between Alvin Plantinga and Daniel Dennett at the Central APA last week. I started reading through it, but then lost interest. I’m disappointed that the reporter came away with the very strong feeling that Dennett behaved jerkishly. I’ve never gotten that impression when I’ve seen Dennett, but then again I’m a convert, I suppose. I’ve also seen Plantinga on occasion, and have always found his demeanor quite kind (pastoral, almost), but his arguments absolutely uncompelling — to the point of being … well, obtuse. Oops! Am I being jerkish?

Is anyone out there reading Kafka these days? Ot at least watching the film, Kafka? I used to teach a course we had, called “Existentialism,” and we would always stew over some Kafka. I’ve always thought he is the most excellent exemplar of the philosophically-inclined fictionalist. Borges is great, as is Camus and Sartre, but no one cuts to the bone like ol’ Franz Kafka. There is something about the eastern-European mentality, that sees through the horror and tragedy, and manages to smirk, or even laugh, at all the nonsense we take to be vital.

Anyway, if you’re not reading Kafka, you should immediately find some and not stop reading until the feelings it expresses are second nature to you. If you don’t, you cannot fail to be a poser.

February 12th is the 200th birthday of two great figures, Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Both can be said to have had a tremendous effect upon human history. So this auspicious date naturally suggests a contest….

UPDATE: Before you vote, you might want to read this review of Adam Gopnik’s new book on Darwin and Lincoln. Or read the book itself, if you have the time!

Well, a little too hopeful for my tastes (I concur with Dr. House: hope is for sissies), but pretty gosh-darned clever, for all that.

… in cartoon form. While you’re at it, check out the latest Philosophers’ Carnival.