Category Archives: philosophy

Pondering Idealism

Posted on February 27, 2020 by

I feel quite fortunate that I’ve retained a fair share of the positive idealism of youth. Many of my peers have had their idealism turn into cynicism. A few have supercharged their idealism into destructive forms. At times, I feel … Continue reading →

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Posted in Contemplation, Controversy, cultural highlights, philosophy, Politics, religion, Youth | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Disguise

Posted on February 24, 2020 by

The 17th century writer of maxims, François de La Rochefoucauld wrote, “We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.” He was so skilled at expressing human paradoxes that his maxims are … Continue reading →

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Posted in History, Meanderings, philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

To Think

Posted on February 22, 2020 by

Shortly after booting up the laptop this morning, its software began a “critical update”. This was unusual and unexpected, so my mind was thrown for a loop. My morning routine had been interrupted. My thoughts had been shifted away from … Continue reading →

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Posted in Contemplation, Health, Meanderings, philosophy, Science | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Human Spirit

Posted on February 17, 2020 by

“Is human spirit what makes the ‘lights come on’ or is it what happens after the ‘lights come on’”? My friend Jonathan asked the question during our reunion this past weekend. My answer was that human spirit is what happens … Continue reading →

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Posted in Contemplation, Friendship, philosophy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vive La Différence

Posted on February 16, 2020 by

Several times during my adolescence I remember hearing teachers and advisors warn students about conformity. While it is wise to obey laws such as those for highway traffic and business transactions, it’s not always smart to play follow the leader. … Continue reading →

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Posted in Hometown, Meanderings, philosophy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Desperate

Posted on February 13, 2020 by

“Nowadays men lead lives of noisy desperation.”–James Thurber I like how Thurber substituted the word “noisy” for the word “quiet” when paraphrasing Henry David Thoreau. Thurber commented on life in the 20th century while Thoreau commented on life in the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Contemplation, Health, philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Electrifying

Posted on February 11, 2020 by

Our way of learning about dangers is often described as a child touching a hot stove. The toddler learns to avoid doing that again. I distinctly remember a moment like that happening when I was five-years-old. I was checking out the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Contemplation, Hometown, philosophy, Science, sports, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments