In order to understanding how and why the coronial inquiry into the January 2003 Canberra bushfires unraveled, and in order to understand the recent decision of the ACT Supreme Court to clear Coroner Maria Doogan of 'apprehended bias', it is perhaps … [Read more...] about What is Wilderness? (Part 1)
Philosophy
Don Burke Talks About the AEF
Don Burke was on ABC Television's Landline program today talking about the need for a new approach to environmental issues. You can view the interview at: http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2005/s1436505.htm . Don was speaking as Chair of the … [Read more...] about Don Burke Talks About the AEF
On Politics (Part 1)
I am amazed at how many comments on this web-log prove at least the first part of the following proposition: The left think the right are evil, and the right think the left are dumb. People with such a narrow world view really should get out and … [Read more...] about On Politics (Part 1)
Belief in the Truth of a Theory
I wrote these two laws down on a scrap of paper years ago. I still have the scrap of paper but not the original reference. Harris's First Law: Belief in the truth of a theory is inversely proportional to the precision of the science. Harris's … [Read more...] about Belief in the Truth of a Theory
Lomborg Debates Pope
"...when people are starving, lacking clean drinking water, getting poisoned from indoor air pollution, and dying from easily curable communicable diseases, they let the environment get ravaged, too. Your solution is to deal with the environment … [Read more...] about Lomborg Debates Pope
Worst Argument in the World
"I know of an argument which, although it is almost-unbelievably bad, has not only escaped critism by philosophers, but has received the endorsement of coutless philosophers. I think it is the worst argument in the world..." and so began a note … [Read more...] about Worst Argument in the World