Tag Archives: Other people’s insights

Against realism

Posted on 2014-02-04 by Gilbert

Leah Libresco is stymied at this week’s edition of her Pope Francis bookclub. (You won’t be able to follow the rest of this without reading that post.) I’m not guaranteeing for my own interpretation here, but I think the problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Meditations | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The disappointing rightness of Scott Alexander

Posted on 2013-05-04 by Gilbert

It turns out that Scott Alexander is even smarter than I thought. This is somewhat disappointing. Perhaps I should slow down on explaining that? The proof of his smartness is of course in agreeing with me. On his blog he … Continue reading →

Posted in Arguments | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Marriage: The natural type and the social institution

Posted on 2013-02-11 by Gilbert

Internet discussions about controversial issues often quickly degenerate into rather unpleasant shouting matches.  While this problem has some sources outside of itself, it is also self-reinforcing.  If the discussion is dominated by people who enjoy shouting matches, even slightly nonstandard … Continue reading →

Posted in Armchair philosophy | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Feuilleton | Tagged , | Comments Off on Laughing all the way to church

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