Introduction. When I read the following passage in a review of a book on the philosophy of music, my understanding of Carnot’s second law of thermodynamics and its philosophical implications kicked in and inspired me to compose an article combining a wide variety of ideas and experiences. This is overdue as I had promised … Continue reading “Gradiance: The Mother of all Reductions”
Tag: Philosophy
Modernity Between the Rise and Fall of the Cartesian Cogito
Introduction. In this blog I will compress into a short story my proposed periodization of Modernity, bookended by the Renaissance and Post-modernity. My idiosyncratic idea is to place the start of modernity in 1620 and its end in 1926. The Start of Modernity in 1620 The choice of 1620 has two reasons. First, it … Continue reading “Modernity Between the Rise and Fall of the Cartesian Cogito”
The Operative Assumptions in Theosophy
If Theosophy is taken as a synthesis of science, philosophy and theology, together with its stated objectives of open dialogue, comparative investigation and experimentation, there will be a lot of room to overcome its own articles of faith, which in spite of its professed anti-dogmatic, free-thinking, non-partisan persona, are quite prevalent. For example there are … Continue reading “The Operative Assumptions in Theosophy”
The Tacit Dimension Operative in Phenomenology
Abstract. This paper tries to assess the tacit dimension operative in the doing of phenomenology itself. The pre-phenomenological, pre-thematic naive skills of everyday abstraction and reflection comprise the tacit basis upon which phenomenology draws to do its work. In the natural attitude we are always already using these skills in daily life, and in the … Continue reading “The Tacit Dimension Operative in Phenomenology”
The Possibility Conditions of Narrative Identity
Each of us constructs and lives a ‘narrative’ . . . this narrative is us, our identities — Oliver Sacks. This dissertation is the fruit of my research on the concept of narrative identity, i.e. the claim that our sense of self is structured like a story. While investigating this concept it became clear that … Continue reading “The Possibility Conditions of Narrative Identity”
Nietzsche’s Reluctant Acceptance of Liberal Democracy (and later Rejection)
Introduction. The questions to be addressed in this essay are 1) whether we can extract from Nietzsche’s book Human, All Too Human, which was written in his more moderate science-oriented middle period, something of a political view; 2) whether this view can be construed, with some hedging here and there, as supporting modern liberal democracy; … Continue reading “Nietzsche’s Reluctant Acceptance of Liberal Democracy (and later Rejection)”
Krishnamurti Bibliography
A. By J. Krishnamurti (Selection) B. Academic & Expository Studies (Exhaustive) C. Biographical (Extensive) D. Philosophical Background (Initial) E. Theosophical Perceptions (Initial) F. Miscellaneous =============== A. By J. Krishnamurti (Selection) Krishnamurti, J. 1929. “The Dissolution of the Order of the Star”. International Star Bulletin (September 1929): 28-34. Also titled “Truth is a Pathless Land”. —– … Continue reading “Krishnamurti Bibliography”
Foucault’s Concept Discipline: A Systematic Analysis
Introduction. In this essay I will primarily focus on the pivotal Foucauldian concept of discipline as developed in his influential 1975 study Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison (hereafter DP). The plan of the paper is to first connect the concept with its immediate neighboring terms, especially punishment and surveillance. Then I will … Continue reading “Foucault’s Concept Discipline: A Systematic Analysis”
The Mechanics of Epistemic Contextualism
§1.0. General introduction. A few years ago I happened to participate in a class on DeRose’s recent monograph The Case for Contextualism: Knowledge, Skepticism, and Context (vol. 1). We picked the text apart and read also papers by Moore, Unger, Lewis, Kaplan, Perry, Schiffer and a few more. In his monograph DeRose was mainly concerned … Continue reading “The Mechanics of Epistemic Contextualism”
The Dialectical Gyrations in and between Hegel and Marx
Introduction. This paper initially intended to address discussions regarding the importance and scope of an alleged break between the early, philosophical articles of the revolutionary theoretician Karl Marx (1818-1883) and his later, mature historical-materialist socioeconomic investigations. But, because Marx in his early years dealt predominantly with the grand and influential philosophy of the German idealist … Continue reading “The Dialectical Gyrations in and between Hegel and Marx”