Philosophy
Philosophy
Theocracy and Precedent
John David Lewis May 26, 2006
Here are excerpts from the expatriate Iranian satirist Ibrahim Nabavi's open letter to President Ahmadinejad, in the online Persian daily Rooz: . . . Oh adorable little boy who makes noise and needs attention! . . . you had written to [President] Bush to present a solution to the problems…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Michael Farris Interview on 'Fresh Air'
Alan Germani May 25, 2006
Yesterday on NPR's radio show "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross interviewed Michael Farris, president of the fundamentalist Christian school Patrick Henry College. This regrettably named institution seeks to train home-schooled Christians to be tomorrow's leaders, "ready to reclaim the biblical principles upon which our land was founded." The interview with…
Ayn Rand & Objectivism, Philosophy
Altruism: The Morality of Logical Fallacies
Craig Biddle May 22, 2006
Altruism, the idea that being moral consists in self-sacrificially serving others, is accepted to some extent by almost everyone today. But no reason has ever been given as to why people should sacrifice for others. Of course, alleged reasons have been given, but not legitimate ones. So let’s consider the alleged reasons—of which there are approximately six—each of which involves a logical fallacy.
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Religion vs. Free Speech
Craig Biddle May 20, 2006
Demonstrates that the tenets of religion are incompatible with the right to free speech, and shows why those who want to establish and maintain freedom of speech must repudiate religion and embrace the rational, secular foundation for rights.
Philosophy
Islamic 'Heaven'
TOS Admin May 20, 2006
Thanks to Jack Crawford for sending me this hilarious, 48-second clip of comedian B.J. Novak. Oh to be a Muslim woman. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37sWKs6k24[/embed]
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Welcome, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Larry Salzman May 18, 2006
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is among the most courageous women (and incidentally among the most beautiful) in the world today. She sought asylum in the Netherlands in 1992 as an escape from an arranged marriage brokered in her native Somalia. When established in Holland she was shocked to find the same…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Tribute to Iran
John David Lewis May 12, 2006
The High Muckety-Muck (HMM) of Iran sent President Bush an 18 page letter this week, doubtless with very tiny writing, in which he wrote: Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can…
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Faith and The Founders
Alan Germani May 11, 2006
There is a widespread and dangerous misconception that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. As religious fundamentalism increases today, so does the likelihood that faith-based laws will be enacted and enforced by our government. Items on the agenda of faith-wielding politicians—who are increasingly pushing for rule by…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
The Social Worker and The President
John David Lewis May 10, 2006
A social worker recently told me why I should support government programs that bring money to people in need. Isn't it good, she asked, to live in town that is prosperous, with neighbors who are not desperate for the basics of life? By giving to them, I make my own…
Philosophy
Exposing Anti-Muslim “Conspiracies”
Elan Journo February 20, 2006
Surveys and identifies the fundamental cause of the widespread conspiracy theories that plague the Middle East and help convert millions of people into anti-Western lunatics.