The Virtues of Captain America
Apr. 7th, 2023 01:34 pmThe Virtues of Captain America: Modern-Day Lessons on Character from a World War II Superhero by Mark D. White
A pop discussion of moral philosophy as embodied in Captain America. The discussion of virtues is unsystemic, and he's a little heavy on treating him as a single concept and discussing various treatments as if they were really the same even when writers hijack him. (Some of that may be my philosophical background.) Patriotism gets quite a bit of discussion as is only fitting for a contentious issue in moral philosophy.
A pop discussion of moral philosophy as embodied in Captain America. The discussion of virtues is unsystemic, and he's a little heavy on treating him as a single concept and discussing various treatments as if they were really the same even when writers hijack him. (Some of that may be my philosophical background.) Patriotism gets quite a bit of discussion as is only fitting for a contentious issue in moral philosophy.
Man's Search for Meaning
Nov. 26th, 2022 09:10 pmMan's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
This is a good book to not read just before you go to bed. At least the first part. . . .
The mind-numbing life and horrors of a concentration camp, and the effort to find meaning in life, and how much that meant.
And a discussion of finding meaning in life, its importance, that it's not a secondary excuse, and more
This is a good book to not read just before you go to bed. At least the first part. . . .
The mind-numbing life and horrors of a concentration camp, and the effort to find meaning in life, and how much that meant.
And a discussion of finding meaning in life, its importance, that it's not a secondary excuse, and more
The Road to Serfdom
Feb. 19th, 2021 11:30 pmThe Road to Serfdom by Friedrich A. Hayek
Published in 1944. An analysis of government authority vs. liberty.
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Published in 1944. An analysis of government authority vs. liberty.
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A Conflict of Visions
Jan. 21st, 2021 08:48 pmA Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell
Sowell's discussion of the two visions: constrained and unconstrained (though there is a range between them) and their effects on views in economics, law, and other fields. The unconstrained basically admitting of no limits on human capacity.
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Sowell's discussion of the two visions: constrained and unconstrained (though there is a range between them) and their effects on views in economics, law, and other fields. The unconstrained basically admitting of no limits on human capacity.
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Intellectuals and Society
Dec. 11th, 2020 06:03 pmIntellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell
Intellectuals, as defined for this book, are people whose entire trade is in ideas. Not people like engineers or physicists, who have to put the ideas into action and see when they fail.
It's a painful history. The history of rejecting outside evidence -- such as praising the USSR during famine. The imposition of visions that assume that people's mundane and detailed knowledge of their own lives is not relevant next to the ideas of an intellectual who does not know them. The suppression of facts and the hyping of ill-found stories in the service of ideas. And much more.
Intellectuals, as defined for this book, are people whose entire trade is in ideas. Not people like engineers or physicists, who have to put the ideas into action and see when they fail.
It's a painful history. The history of rejecting outside evidence -- such as praising the USSR during famine. The imposition of visions that assume that people's mundane and detailed knowledge of their own lives is not relevant next to the ideas of an intellectual who does not know them. The suppression of facts and the hyping of ill-found stories in the service of ideas. And much more.
From Barsoom to Malacandra
Jan. 3rd, 2020 08:23 pmFrom Barsoom to Malacandra: Musings on Things Past and Things to Come by John C. Wright
A collection of essays. Mostly centered on specific works of science fiction, but touching on issues of aesthetics and writing, and broader questions of philosophy. Differences between science fiction and fantasy and between soft SF and hard SF. Introducing his children to books. And more.
A collection of essays. Mostly centered on specific works of science fiction, but touching on issues of aesthetics and writing, and broader questions of philosophy. Differences between science fiction and fantasy and between soft SF and hard SF. Introducing his children to books. And more.
The Great Chain of Being
Feb. 6th, 2018 10:58 pmThe Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea by Arthur O. Lovejoy
Tracing across eras from the age of the Platonists the notion of plenitude in a (rather!) academic study.
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Tracing across eras from the age of the Platonists the notion of plenitude in a (rather!) academic study.
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Mencius Speaks: The Cure For Chaos
Nov. 13th, 2017 08:05 pmMencius Speaks: The Cure For Chaos by Tsai Chih Chung
Opens with a brief biography of Mencius, followed by vignette like topics on benevolence and profit, original heart, the importance of having a child as a filial duty, the difference between saving one's sister-in-law from drowning by touching her (expediency over propiety) and not saving the kingdom by expediency, which doesn't work, and more.
Opens with a brief biography of Mencius, followed by vignette like topics on benevolence and profit, original heart, the importance of having a child as a filial duty, the difference between saving one's sister-in-law from drowning by touching her (expediency over propiety) and not saving the kingdom by expediency, which doesn't work, and more.
The Book of Lord Shang
Nov. 3rd, 2017 11:51 pmThe Book of Lord Shang. a Classic of the Chinese School of Law translated by J.J.L. Duyvendak
With a long introduction covering what is said in Chinese history about Lord Shang, and discussion of the text (both in content and existing text) before the translation of this classic of Legalist thought.
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With a long introduction covering what is said in Chinese history about Lord Shang, and discussion of the text (both in content and existing text) before the translation of this classic of Legalist thought.
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The Middle Path
Nov. 3rd, 2017 08:07 pmThe Middle Path by Tsai Chih Chung
A Confucian classic in graphic novel form. A post-Confucian work, written down from his teachings by his followers, or it is claimed. Much on moderation, the value of study (even if others don't have to work as hard, or at all), relationships, and more. A bit random in form and lacking in structure.
A Confucian classic in graphic novel form. A post-Confucian work, written down from his teachings by his followers, or it is claimed. Much on moderation, the value of study (even if others don't have to work as hard, or at all), relationships, and more. A bit random in form and lacking in structure.
Han Feizi Speaks: The Power of Pragmatism
Nov. 2nd, 2017 11:00 pmHan Feizi Speaks: The Power of Pragmatism by Tsai Chih Chung
Another graphic novel of a Chinese philosophy text. Han Feizi was a philosopher of the Legalist tradition, calling for strict rule, stern punishment, and a sharp eye to self-interest.
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Another graphic novel of a Chinese philosophy text. Han Feizi was a philosopher of the Legalist tradition, calling for strict rule, stern punishment, and a sharp eye to self-interest.
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Liezi Speaks: Thoughts To Ride The Wind
Nov. 2nd, 2017 09:23 pmLiezi Speaks: Thoughts To Ride The Wind by Tsai Chih Chung
A re-telling in graphic novel form of a foundational classic of Daoism.
Stories of learning to float on the wind, master archery, dreams and reality, the dismissal of good and evil, the acceptance of death, how artistic expression works. and more. Interesting introduction to Daoism -- or more, if you've already read Lao Tzu.
A re-telling in graphic novel form of a foundational classic of Daoism.
Stories of learning to float on the wind, master archery, dreams and reality, the dismissal of good and evil, the acceptance of death, how artistic expression works. and more. Interesting introduction to Daoism -- or more, if you've already read Lao Tzu.
The Great Learning
Oct. 29th, 2017 10:27 pmThe Great Learning by Tsai Chih Chung
A graphic novel version of a Confucian classic, with an opening attributed to Confucius (posthumously written down by his disciples) and a commentary by Zhu Xi. The importance of self-cultivation, many variations on the principle of not treating people as you would not want to be treated by a person in the same relationship to you, and some about government.
A graphic novel version of a Confucian classic, with an opening attributed to Confucius (posthumously written down by his disciples) and a commentary by Zhu Xi. The importance of self-cultivation, many variations on the principle of not treating people as you would not want to be treated by a person in the same relationship to you, and some about government.
Sunzi Speaks: The Art of War
Oct. 28th, 2017 05:09 pmSunzi Speaks: The Art of War by Tsai Chih Chung
Retelling The Art of War in graphic novel format.
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Retelling The Art of War in graphic novel format.
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