I do not read classical Greek. I studied enough koine Greek or common Greek to be able to pronounce these words. Whenever I read them, unaccountsbly I feel close to Heraclitus of Ephesus, the Pre-Socratic philosopher. Heraclitus was a contrarian. While it is natural to look for permanence, to seek permanence in the systems…
It is criticism that demands an effort. The assertion stopped me cold while reading the chapter entitled Static Religion in Henri Bergson’s book, Two Sources of Morality and Religion. Is it not painfully clear than things are badly off kilter in our world? Never before have we had the capability of news awareness 24×7,…
A measured discussion between a half dozen friends was conducted via email. We exchanged ideas pondering the causes which make the conservative minded and the liberal minded so different. The difference in attitude, in perception is not minor. There is a preference for a strong man father-figure, even for an abusive tyrant as long…
Percival, the wild rabbet living in our backyard was sighted again yesterday. I suspect that he/she is finding shelter under our deck. Does the young animal “know” there are fewer predators in our yard than just 50 yards away in Almond Marsh? Maybe. Was reminded of a line from Bergson in yesterday’s post that…
Life is a certain effort to obtain certain things from raw matter, and that instinct and intelligence, taken in their finished state, are two distinct means of utilizing a tool for this object; in the first case, the tool is a part of the living creature; in the other, it is an inorganic instrument…
LIFEis a co-ordinationof disciplined elementsamong whichthe work is divided.therefore, the socialunderlies the vital. This is so in those societies where the individualmust be ready to sacrifice itselffor the whole:the hive and the anthill.This result is obtained by instinctwhich is an extensionof nature’s work of organization.This means that natureis more concerned with societythan with the…
Everyone finds the pumpkin attractive. The kid-in-me loves pumpkins. The pumpkin is a signature of the Fall season, a symbol of cooler days, falling leaves, the turn of Nature toward a season of rest, of quiescence. Who does not need a season of reduced activity, to contemplate, take stock with gratitude, — the good…
Having moved to Batavia, I have discovered Randall Road. Randall Road, running north and south is a dense strip of retail shopping. Some of the national chains have more than one store along this well traveled artery. Randall road is iconic of America if you think that the achievement of “the American Dream” is…
No question that instrumental rationality is the heartbeat of our time. Science gave us the industrial age, — the telegraph, railroads, automobiles, radios, television, industrialized warfare, the hydrogen bomb…. There is no need to go on. The industrial age has been eclipsed by the age of communication made possible by hyper miniaturized solid state…
Sunday can be a day of reflection, a generally recognized, if little practiced “time out” day. Monday through Saturday, the other six days of the week are pure hustle. The organism of society and economy is in “fast forward” mode, and a majority of us have a defined role which we play, mainly out…
