Philosophy

Socratic Irony: A pose of ignorance assumed in order to entice others into making statements that can then be challenged. [The Oxford Dictionary.] … [Read more...] about Socratic Irony

"So the new religion of global warming, however convenient it may be to politicians, is not as harmless as it may appear at first sight. Indeed, the more one examines it, the more it resembles a Da Vinci Code of environmentalism. It is a great … [Read more...] about Nigel Lawson on Global Warming as “A Grain of Truth and a Mountain of Nonsense”

We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. --John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859 We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our e-mails, … [Read more...] about Scientific Controversy Between Freedom of Expression and Censorship: Some Quotes via Benny Peiser

When a man says "this is good in itself," he seems to be making a statement, just as much as if he had said "this is square" or "this is sweet." I believe this to be a mistake. I think that what the man really means is: "I wish everybody to desire … [Read more...] about Ecology and Ethics (Part 2)

"The study of economics and ecology without an ethical objective, in my mind, is akin to studying medicine not to relieve suffering, but simply for something to do to." Tor Hundloe, In From Buddha to Bono, On pg 12. … [Read more...] about Ecology and Ethics (Part 1)

England has produced a number of outstanding detective story writers. Agatha Christie comes to mind with her character Hercule Poirot. Another is Dorothy L. Sayers, with her diffident, yet steely-minded toff, Lord Peter Wimsey. There were also other … [Read more...] about Has Lord Peter Lost His Tools: A Note from Davey