Chapter 1 What is Skill? The concept of skill is not simple. We use the word, but how well do we understand its denotation? The OED gives us “the ability to do something well; expertise or dexterity”, deriving from Old English scele meaning “knowledge”. AI gives us something fuller: “A skill is a learned ability […]
Skill: A Philosophy of Practice Introduction You might be wondering how a philosopher could write knowledgeably about skill, especially physical skill. Aren’t philosophers clumsy, ill-coordinated, awkward brainiacs with their head in the clouds? They may be skilled in their brains, but not in their bodies. And there is a good deal of truth in this […]
In My Life There are places I’ll remember all my life. I’m talking about departments I’ve been a member of, though some have changed. First, the psychology department at Manchester University, in which I was a student for four years. Then, Jesus College Oxford for two years, along with 10 Merton Street, as a philosophy […]
Mysticism, Miracles, and Mystery How are these three categories related? Are they connected in any way? I shall say not. Mysticism is the idea centrally that there is a way of knowing about the world that transcends ordinary human knowing with the senses and intellect—a way that only some people possess and which may require […]
A Tennis Story I have been making a study of James Bond, reading the novels and watching the movies. I think I now know the Bond mind: principled, decisive, realistic, ingenious, effective, sometimes violent. I recently faced a Bond challenge over at the tennis courts, involving a shrub. I don’t think SMERSH was behind it, […]
So, the thieves claim to be acting out of moral concern! One of your books or papers would be enough for someone to feel that they had made their entire contribution to philosophy! Though, recording your ideas on your blog makes it extremely difficult for the thieves to steal them. Perhaps you could also number […]
A Causal Theory of Everything Is language caused by reality? Is meaning caused by facts? Does the environment give rise to our talk about it? I want to say yes. Language is caused by what it is about, in conjunction with other causal factors. The explanation of the characteristic features of language is the world […]
The following is a summary of a book I intend to write. I would be interested in any comments readers might have about what might be included in addition to what is described here. Skill: A Practical Philosophy Introduction: James Bond and Me Friends sometimes compare me to James Bond because of my range […]
