The trouble is that abortion is a philosophical issue and the Supreme Court is not made of philosophers–hence the naive comments from some of the Justices. It’s like asking them to make a ruling based on a standard philosophical problem, say free will or the mind-body problem. Do you think they even consulted philosophers on […]
Semiotics of the Beard Fifty years ago the beard was in the ascendant. I remember as a student everyone had one, plus long hair. I myself was virtually invisible beneath my hairiness—just eyes, nose, and a forehead. In those days a beard signified naturalness, independence, intellectual seriousness, higher aims, and lack of personal […]
Meaning, Use, and Existentialism Wittgenstein writes in the Philosophical Investigations: “How can he know how he is to continue a pattern by himself—whatever instruction you give him?—Well, how do I know?—If that means ‘Have I reasons?’ the answer is: my reasons will soon give out. And then I shall act, without reasons.” […]
Skepticism and Existence The usual forms of skepticism emphasize existence: we don’t know that external objects exist, or that other minds exist. We might be brains in a vat and none of the objects of perception really exist, or the bodies we observe do not contain existing minds. These types of skepticism […]
