philosophy

Socrates the Gadfly

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The philosopher Socrates was a great nuisance to the powerful people in Athens long ago. So much so that he called himself the “gadfly”. Why was he a nuisance and why did he call himself a gadfly?

As you may know, a gadfly is flying insect with an extremely painful sting.

Socrates was a nuisance because he kept pestering and stinging the powerful leaders in Athens with difficult questions which showed up their ignorance and their failure to know what they were talking about. He kept stinging them like a gadfly. And Socrates did this in public debate – to the delight of the youth in Athens who no doubt then started questioning the wisdom of their elders.

This was too much for the exposed elite. Like Joseph’s brothers they decided that “the dreamer has to go”. In this case it was Socrates who had to go.

Like a gadfly!

So, the exposed and stung elite trumped up a charge against Socrates: “Corrupting the youth of Athens” (code for: “He persuaded the youth to think for themselves”).

We all know the result. Trial, death sentence and the hemlock.

And another result: Socrates became one of the most respected philosophers and seekers after truth, of all time.

A word of caution: Think twice before you decide to become a gadfly.

Belief System Power: Ask the Fox

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(On a mobile please scroll down past the picture. Thank you.)

Things that happen to us make us happy or sad.

What is going on here?

It’s all about our belief system. Each person has their own belief system.

Take fox hunting with hounds.

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Some people think it is cruel because their belief system tells them that it is cruel to tear a live animal to pieces.

On the other hand, some people’s belief system tells them foxes are vermin and it does not matter how they are exterminated.

So, you see it all depends on the belief system.

And we all have one.

I wonder what the fox thinks.

Matrix thinking and a warning during COVID19

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The matrix below is offered to help us think about the relationship between Shut Down Options, the Economy and the Health of the Population. The matrix applies to any country. Even seeing where the matrix is wrong and how it can be improved may help. I hope so.

It goes without saying we need a vaccine desperately and also, if possible, a cure.

Our thoughts are with all those suffering during the pandemic.

In the meantime the question is: What is the best way forward for the economy and the health of the population?

Options Matrix

Conclusion

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The only option to save the economy and the health of as many people as possible is to have a limited economic shutdown combined with limited social distancing (strictly enforced), supported by a general population committed to self-enforcement.

Warning: Committed self-enforcement by the general population is vital.

Keep safe.

A huge thank you to all Health and Essential Workers world wide.

Thank you.

We live in the midst of wonder

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Here is a picture I took last year.

It was sunset beside Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, in northern New York State in the United States.

Everything was still. The water in the lake was very calm. Hardly a leaf moved.

Another wonderful day with the family was at its close.

Such tranquillity.

And yet in the midst of that stillness and quiet plenty was happening and continues to happen as you read this post.

Consider this:

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  • We are on a planet rotating at 1,000 mph at the equator.
  • Our planet is rotating around the sun at 66,000 mph.
  • We are part of the Milky Way galaxy which is spiraling at 450,000 mph.
  • Our Milky Way galaxy is moving towards the constellation of Hydra at 1,340.000 mph.

And all that was happening on that quiet evening beside tranquil Owasco Lake.

And it is still happening right now as you read this post.

Just one more parting shot.

  • Our Milky Way galaxy is huge.
  • It takes our Milky Way about 250 million Earth years to rotate once.
  • The radius of the Milky Way is 52,850 light years.
  • In the Milky Way there are a couple of billion stars, including our sun.

We certainly live in the midst of wonder.

Do animals have rights?

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“Animals have done us no harm and they have no power of resistance. There is something so very dreadful in tormenting those who have never harmed us, who cannot defend themselves, who are utterly in our power.”
― Cardinal John Henry Newman

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Are we happy with the way we directly or indirectly treat animals?

How honest is our answer?

The call at dawn

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When you wake up in the early morning, this is the call at dawn:


Live well today. This will create happy memories and hope for the future.

Excellent advice, not put over in a very exciting way.

Let’s hear the original advice penned by Kalidasa the classical Sanskrit writer c 6th-7th CE

No wonder this is the favorite poem of so many people.

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!

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Three kinds of ignorance

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There are three kinds of ignorance.

The first is genuine ignorance: The person honestly did not know.

The second is culpable ignorance: The person was capable of finding out but did not find out by sheer negligence.

The third is deliberate ignorance: The person knows that there is something they should find out about but decides to keep themselves in the dark –  perhaps in the hope that being ignorant might excuse lack of required action.

All three kinds of ignorance could lead to varying degrees of legal liability.

Out of the three, deliberate ignorance could have the most serious legal consequences as in certain cumstances it could amount to fraud.

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Antinomy

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Spoiler alert: I am about to punch light years above my weight!

Let us go.

“Antinomy” is not a word that pops up a lot when we are reading, unless we may be reading about logic, philosophy or theology.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines “antinomy” as:

“Antinomy, in philosophy, contradiction, real or apparent, between two principles or conclusions, both of which seem equally justified; it is nearly synonymous with the term paradox.” See definition

Let us look at some examples of some antinomies. There are apparently plenty of them in the Bible and in Science.

Biblical antinomies are behind “God’s sovereignty vs. free” will debate (compare John 3:16 with Ephesians 1: 11).

In Science, the question is asked: Is light a particle or a wave? Can it be both?

(Take it easy. I warned you that I would punch above my weight!)

So, how are antinomies dealt with?

A humble theologian might say:

“Scriptural antinomies arise out of revealed truth beyond the capability of our finite minds to comprehend. There may be theology above our anthropomorphized understanding of God and His ways that will show that there are not contradictions. I gather this may be the road down which Immanuel Kant may have traveled. To reject Kant’s approach may require Biblical interpretation worthy of a gold medal in verbal gymnastics to resolve Biblical antinomies.”

A humble scientist might say:

“The contradiction between two laws of science may only be apparent. Science may one day come up with an explanation. Perhaps one or both of the laws will be shown to be wrong. Let us keep an open mind,”

An open-minded logician or philosopher might say:

“There may be laws of logic beyond our finite ability to reason which show that there is logic beyond the law of contradiction which states that “contradictory propositions cannot both be true in the same sense at the same time”. The perplexing antinomy may not exist in this higher logic.”

Who knows?

Antinomies are here to stay!

How do you deal with them? Good luck!

Oh yes- Don’t forget my spoiler alert!

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Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash