Philosophy as a Way of Life
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A little bit on Crossan’s historical Jesus
Central to [John] Crossan’s methodology is the dating of texts. This is laid out more or less fully in The Historical Jesus in one of the appendices. He dates part of the Coptic Gospel of Thomas to the 50s CE,… Continue reading
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Whatever, Etc. 0037: Justice and the Tripartite Soul
I was asked to drop by and engage in Dialog this evening, Mar 03, at 6pm, with some of my compatriots who are doing a close reading of Plato’s Republic. Live-streaming this for those who want to watch at home… Continue reading
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Sun – Line – Cave, Part 2
I’ll be returning to talk with students in my friend’s class over the metaphors/myths created by Plato in Books 6 & 7 of Republic: the Simile of the Sun, the Analogy of the Divided Line, and the Allegory of the… Continue reading
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A dancing star in a constellation of lies
Am I decent man? Perhaps. I would use this opportunity to speak about myself with some pleasure (Dostoevsky 7). But I am not sure it is such a pleasure. Does decency really only allow me to speak about myself? Certainly,… Continue reading
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Sun – Line – Cave, Part 1
A dear colleague has invited me to discuss a few of the metaphors at the heart of Plato’s Republic. So I’ll be live streaming from his class Friday, 26 Feb 2016 @ 1pm… if you are not busy at work… Continue reading
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Mind Walk 17 Feb 2016
N. and I go wandering around Denton thinking about Carlos Castaneda and letting the thoughts wander with us. Continue reading
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Line – circle – motion
My pedagogy: I do not claim to know things that will make you more intelligent, more wealthy, or more satisfied. I do claim to have experiences in reading, working, and traveling that I enjoy passing along in exchange for your… Continue reading
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Man Bites Dogma – A RAW Conversation
He’s been called a cult figure to various lunatic fringe groups, Tom Robbins calls him “a dazzling barker hawking tickets to the most thrilling tilt-a-whirls and daring loop-o-planes on the midway of higher consciousness,” he calls himself an iconoclastic comedian,… Continue reading
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Nootropics or Smart Drugs
Important caveat for those thinking smart drugs can make a person more intelligent: Like any performance enhancer, there has to be a core level of intelligence or athleticism to be augmented. Welcome to the world of nootropics, or smart drugs.… Continue reading
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Cagey Anarchism
More than two decades after Cage’s death, a small press called Siglio has published a definitive edition of his major long text. Starting in 1965, Cage developed a poetic form he titled a Diary and accurately described as “a mosaic… Continue reading
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Academia as mechanical productivity
like the Whatever Etc page if you use Facebook. It is amazing how the machinery of academia has been turned on by someone and just left running… Like a Charlie… Posted by Whatever Etc. on Friday, January 22, 2016 Continue reading
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Public memory, propaganda, and ethics
My colleague is trying to get his students thinking about ethics by putting forward an issue of public morals and conscience. I agree with him that this monument to the Confederate Soldiers of Denton, Texas, should be removed. I was… Continue reading
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The Lives and Ideas of Robert Anton Wilson
Happy birthday RAW! If you have about 90 minutes to spare, you would learn a great deal from watching this little documentary. Continue reading
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Loving devotion
Caring for another, being-open for that other and to that other: these are aspects of our animated existence, of our being-with others. Do not fail to see devotion where it appears nor fail to appreciate how all life teaches us lesson… Continue reading
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Bitter Lake – Adam Curtis
Politicians used to have the confidence to tell us stories that made sense of the chaos of world events. But now there are no big stories and politicians react randomly to every new crisis – leaving us bewildered and disorientated.… Continue reading
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Jane Bennet on Artistry and Agency in a World of Vibrant Matter
Jane Bennet discusses her broader phenomenology of the material world. Hosted by the New School. Continue reading
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Callicott to receive life-time achievement award
Wonderful news concerning my teacher, colleague, and friend J. Baird Callicott. I am very proud to report that the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture announced that they are awarding J. Baird Callicott their first Lifetime… Continue reading
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