About Rationally Speaking


Rationally Speaking is a blog maintained by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, a philosopher at the City University of New York. The blog reflects the Enlightenment figure Marquis de Condorcet's idea of what a public intellectual (yes, we know, that's such a bad word) ought to be: someone who devotes himself to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them." You're welcome. Please notice that the contents of this blog can be reprinted under the standard Creative Commons license.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Massimo's Picks

by Massimo Pigliucci

* Are definitions of art stupid? If so, how can you call yourself an artist without being stupid?

* What is college for?

* Isn't logic great?

* Jesus gives advice to the Denver Broncos...

* Some indication that religion being more about socializing than belief may be a myth.

* Simon Blackburn on Hume and bondage...

* Faux News declares war on the communist Muppets.

* How doctors die. A sobering look at how the pros face the end of their life.

* Flying Spaghetti monster statue installed on Tennessee Courthouse lawn. His noodly appendages will be pleased.

* So, Plato and a platypus walk into a bar... With a nod to Groucho Marx.

* How to spend more psychological time with the good parts of your life, sort of like the Tralfamadorians.

* Philosophy for everyone, in Europe. When in the US?

* What does it mean to be human? Good questions, several answers.
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2 comments:

  1. JeffDecember 22, 2011 12:21 PM

    I think Amanda Marcotte has written one of the more sensible posts on the confused belief vs socialization debate: http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/believers_believe_yes_but_because_they_want_to

    I agree with Baggini that the “accusation cannot be that they misrepresent religion”, however, if our goal is social change, I’m not convinced that it’s enough to simply focus on the irrational elements of religious belief. I’m also not sure what would be “enough”, but I think that’s a debate worth having.

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  2. Cavall de QuerDecember 23, 2011 10:02 AM

    On what it means to be human: Matthew Calarco: Zoographies - highly recommended!

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