Author Archives: Gilbert

I’m not sure I understand matter

Posted on 2012-01-24 by Gilbert

Catholic thought has been deeply entwined with Thomism for centuries and while the association has loosened it is still very present.  So as a reactionary Catholic I’m of course sympathetic to that philosophy.  But the truth is, my understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in Armchair philosophy | Tagged | 4 Comments

Slippery slopes, statistics and the telephone game

Posted on 2012-01-12 by Gilbert

Leah Libresco of Unequally Yoked recently told her readers: In statistical news, social scientists have not found any evidence of doctor assisted suicide launching us down a slippery slope.  The rates of people electing medically-assisted suicide has stayed flat in Oregon and … Continue reading →

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The BBC thinks I’m morally lenient

Posted on 2012-01-04 by Gilbert

The BBC offers a quiz to Test Your Morality (HT: Brian Green at The Moral Mindfield). Basically they present you with some scenarios of what someone has done and ask you to give 1-10 ratings of your sense of wrongness, … Continue reading →

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Presidential status check

Posted on 2012-01-04 by Gilbert

Christian Wulf, the president of Germany (a figurehead in our constitutional order) is presently caught in a bit of a scandal. Everyone is wondering if and when he will resign.  If he actually resigns I might use the selection of … Continue reading →

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Laughing all the way to church

Posted on 2012-01-03 by Gilbert

Behold, my reader, this scene from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life: I was reminded of this of this scene on reading Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life by … Continue reading →

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Quantum sophistry

Posted on 2011-12-30 by Gilbert

A few days ago, we got to know the members of the St. Hypotheticus drinking and nerdery club. Today we listen in on their inaugural meeting. They have just finished the administrative part and are now about to enter on … Continue reading →

Posted in Socratic dialogues | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Meet the cast

Posted on 2011-12-27 by Gilbert

One genre I’d like to try on my new blog is Socratic dialogue. The first one will go up on Friday.  This post gives an overview of the characters and background I created for that purpose. The parishioners at St. … Continue reading →

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The stable probably stank

Posted on 2011-12-25 by Gilbert

The midnight mass at Christmas Eve attracts a lot of people who don’t otherwise go to mass.  Most priests use the opportunity for a missionary homily, designed to explain as much as possible to the cultural Christians while still preserving … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditations | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Let’s go

Posted on 2011-12-25 by Gilbert

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a while and now I’m finally doing it. For now I have an about page and the first real post will be going up shortly. Let’s see where it leads.

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