Discussions about the nature/essence of reality lie behind discussions about goals/ends, which lie behind discussions about morality/ethics. Or – ontology precedes teleology which precedes ethics. Or – οντος → τελος → ηθος
Tag: morals
teleology & ethics
The word ‘teleology’ (from Greek τελος ‘telos’ – meaning ‘goal’, ‘end’, ‘purpose’ or ‘that toward which things tend’) is not a street-level term. However, the concept of a purpose, goal, function or ‘end’ to things most certainly is. It’s a common as anything. Teleology is blindingly relevant.
pro-life atheists
In a very interesting find, this is a site of atheists (and agnostics) who are pro-life. I think their arguments are (mostly) excellent, though of course it would be interesting to a) see how non-pro-life atheists would respond to them, and b) converse with them concerning things like how they determine (judge/establish/discover) the nature of… Continue reading pro-life atheists
the power and fragility of the imagination
The effects and pervasiveness advertising is a good example of both the power and fragility of the imagination. We are (almost always subconciously!) actually affected by some hyper-loud voice telling us something in the ad-breaks of whatever TV show we’re watching or by some image we see on a billboard, in a magazine, etc., etc.… Continue reading the power and fragility of the imagination
moralising
interesting example here: a woman thanking ‘that drunk girl’ for (among other things) showing her how not to act at a party.
depressing
…that a video game like this even exists.
gambling during a recession?
This morning, a Breakfast programme discussed the less-than-commendable notion of borrowing funds to invest during a recession… …and my wife just now walked in the door from a work-leaving do (for non-NZ readers, ‘do’ means ‘event’ or ‘party’), which involved walking through the Sky City building, and mentioned how surprised she was to see how… Continue reading gambling during a recession?
buses, religion and life
Prof. John Stackhouse’s post (here) on the recent “bus campaigns” is quite good and balanced I think. Apparently, the board of a Vancouver bus company has the following regulation on bus ads: “No advertisement will be accepted which promotes or opposes a specific theology or religious ethic, point of view, policy or action.”
stinking stimulus
Anyone who has a knee jerk (i.e. less than critical) reaction to political events in general and the recent U.S. stimulus package in particular, should shut up and think before ranting. That said, I just don’t like the thought (much less the passing) of the new stimulus package (and I’m not at all anti-Obama –… Continue reading stinking stimulus
atheism and explanatory monism
I’ve quite enjoyed reading through “Is Nature Enough: Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science“, by John Haught. One of the many points he articulates well is what he refers to as “layered explanation”.