Morality

[close] Our discussions mostly center on ancient and modern sources, and resembles book reviews of ancient, classical, and modern works. Reflections on Morality, from all reputable Judaeo-Christian traditions and moral philosophers. Reflections on Moral Philosophy, starting with the Stock and Greco-Roman moral Philosophers, including Plato and Cicero, and modern moral philosophers, in particular Immanuel Kant. Reflections on ancient and modern history that help us to understand the ancient and modern world, and the various religious and philosophical texts, or is just plain fun to study. We have a YouTube Channel and YouTube Group by this same name, we host discussion groups to practice our YouTube scripts before we record our videos, and feedback from the participants is welcome, as discussion is always enjoyable.

[close] Morality without religion? A couple of years ago, I wrote an essay for John Brockman's Edge.org site, focused on the question of what kinds of morality are possible in the absence of religion. Here is the key piece in that essay, the part that I am eager to discuss: "Where I intend to be divisive is with respect to the argument that religion, and moral education more generally, represent the only — or perhaps even the ultimate — source of moral reasoning. If anything, moral education is often motivated by self-interest, to do what's best for those within a moral community, preaching singularity, not plurality. Blame nurture, not nature, for our moral atrocities against humanity. And blame educated partiality more generally, as this allows us to lump into one category all those who fail to acknowledge our shared humanity and fail to use secular reasoning to practise compassion. If religion is not the source of our moral insights — and moral education has the demonstrated potential to teach partiality and, therefore, morally destructive behaviour — then what other sources of inspiration are on offer?" I am particularly interested in this issue as I will soon be publishing a book on the nature of evil entitled "Evilicious."

[close] So they got it wrong with the Jews, but does the fact that evolutionary psychology refuses to go away mean they're on to something? Self Determination vs. the Evolutionary Master and as many of the peripheral questions that we can explore and still speak to each other at family reunions.

[close] This is the group is intended for anyone interested in philosophy. It is just starting, but when I searched the public groups, I didn't find anything like this. I intend to take polls on what we will be reading in the future and never to dwell on one topic extensively but cover a broad amount of philosophy. I don't want this to be overly time consuming group, and I would like to direct it more toward those who want a bit of side reading, discussion, and social interaction with other philosophers but perhaps will have a number of books going at once to offer more variety. I'll try to set up a system of discussion on topics as well as readings.