Philosophy

The Lost Art of Happiness: Sounds of the Heart

The Lost Art of Happiness: Sounds of the Heart

Aphorisms can serve as a kind of shorthand for complex thoughts. They can synthesize important ideas in pithy and therefore memorable ways. While often abused and reduced to fortune cookie readouts or greeting card tag lines, when presented in the proper context, aphorisms can be useful hooks that trigger deeper thoughts and reinforce appropriate feelings. I think of the maxims here as piece]s] of construction that I call Spiritual Timber. Here is material with which to construct a home, one with air and light, shutters thrown open and doors ajar. It is a home of shelter, protection, and warmth. This is the material to make an inviting and expansive home, one that welcomes the world in. This is a home of generosity and respect, peace, and hospitality.

The Making of a Good Skeptic: A Tribute to Philosopher Paul Kurtz

The Making of a Good Skeptic: A Tribute to Philosopher Paul Kurtz

I first heard about Dr. Paul Kurtz back in the 1990s from my then Ph.D. advisor, Michael Ruse. Michael had just published one of his books with Prometheus Books and stated how impressed he was that such a relatively obscure publishing house from 1969 had grown to produce such high quality works. Michael had also told me that many serious academics were seeking out and were intent on publishing with Prometheus. I can also remember how captivated I was when first learning about this American philosopher, Paul Kurtz, who named a publishing company after a Greek mythological Titan who stole fire from the gods to give to humans. I remember thinking then that this was a philosopher I would very much like to meet.

I owe a lot to Paul Kurtz. He opened my eyes to the nuances of humanism. And he demonstrated to me that a philosopher can be more than simply an ivory tower academic. Paul has greatly helped to change the way the world understands secular philosophy and he has paved the way for an entire movement.

The Turbulent Universe

The Turbulent Universe

A radical change in understanding nature occurred when humans recognized that supernatural explanations could not account for natural phenomena. The earliest pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece sought to explain events by reference to natural causes. They appealed to reason and observation to interpret nature, not faith or revelation, miracles or theology, uncorroborated by objective evidence. Modern science did not develop until the Renaissance. The ancients used reason and common sense (for example, Aristotle observed a lunar eclipse and reasoned that Earth must be a sphere because it cast a round shadow).

Quentin Crisp: Indomitable Humanist

Quentin Crisp: Indomitable Humanist

Quentin Crisp’s name is not often brought up in humanist circles, and yet he lived his whole life as a unique, courageous and exemplary humanist. He wasn’t affiliated with humanists in any formal way, yet from an early age—without mentors to inspire or to guide him—from the depths inherent in his stalwart inner core, his humanism and compassion blazed unremittingly. Starting with himself. He was born in 1908 and lived for most of the 20th century.