Category Archives: Philosophy and Religion

Montaigne: Patron Saint of UR, Godfather of Blogging

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As these two posts alluded to, I just finished reading Sarah Bakewell’s excellent biography of the French writer Michel de Montaigne.

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Education, Philosophy and Religion, The Good Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More Evidence Montaigne Would Fit In Here

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “Of all famous warriors, Montaigne most admired the Theban general Epaminondas, who was known for his ability to keep furor in check: once, in mid-battle and ‘terrible with blood and iron,’ Epaminondas found himself face to face with … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “I ceased in the year 1764 to believe that one can convince one’s opponents with arguments printed in books. It is not to do that, therefore, that I have taken up my pen, but merely so as … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “I leaf through now one book, now another, without order and without a plan, by disconnected fragments…If I encounter difficulties in reading, I do not gnaw my nails over them; I leave them there. I do nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Jim Kalb on the 1960s

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Jim Kalb’s recent piece about the 1960s is an enlightening one, even for a reader with no interest in the Catholic angle. Great passage: The ‘60s claimed to be about liberation. In fact, they were much more about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

The Tea Party: Today’s Marauding Civilization-Crushing Nomads?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Yeah, I know they aren’t literally nomads, although I do bet RV ownership tracks well with Tea Party membership. But first, I present the contortions of Frank Rich: http://nymag.com/news/politics/elections-2012/tea-party-2012-10/ A few paragraphs will do it. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | 9 Comments

Gravity Vs. Anti-Gravity

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: The main political battle these days isn’t between conservatism and leftism. It’s between the forces of centralization and the forces of decentralization. IMHO, of course. Donald Livingston is a historian and philosopher of history I’ve learned a … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Case for Interventions

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Here’s a sad case that I think brings up some difficult questions: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/02/fire-kills-1-badly-burns-another-in-extreme-hoarding-intervention-gone-awry/ “An extreme hoarding situation ended in extreme sadness on Tuesday. It may have been a final act of defiance that killed a man … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | 3 Comments

Serpents and Virgin Birth, oh my

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Glynn Marshes

Glynn Marshes writes: Once thought to be an anomaly and confined to captive animals, scientists now suspect that parthenogenesis occurs somewhat regularly among wild snakes. This BBC article doesn’t note the theological irony however. It also doesn’t include any comments … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Science | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A Cardinal at the Conventions

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The Archbishop of  New York, Timothy Dolan, finds himself in the unique position of addressing both of the national party conventions, supplying the benedictions to both Democrats and Republicans. Here is a link on a Catholic political blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | 3 Comments