“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.” — René Descartes
Jefferson was a complicated, contradictory figure who has been praised by liberals and conservatives alike throughout the American epoch. He is known as the philosopher and architect of the Declaration of Independence – the arbiter of liberty and proponent of egalitarianism.
“cancer’s life is a recapitulation of the body’s life, its existence a pathological mirror of our own. To confront cancer is to encounter a parallel species, one perhaps more adapted to survival than even we are.”
"The next major structural development in human intelligence is likely to be a partnership between intelligent humans and intelligent machines."
“But the Hebrew word, the word timshel – ‘Thou mayest’ – that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’ – it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.”
We dive into books we are reading, want to read and our goals as we look to the end of the year.
"Creation- that is the great redemption from suffering, and life's growing light. But that the creator may be, suffering is needed and much change. Indeed, there must be much bitter dying in your life, you creators. To be the child who is newly born, the creator must also want to be the mother who gives birth and the pangs of the birth-giver."
Cal and I discuss and reflect on the books we journeyed through in 2018 along with reading goals for 2019.
Thomas J. Jackson in many ways is the archetype of Southern honor, bravery, faith and leadership. Growing up in the Deep South, I've seen portraits and paintings of Jackson in pastor's offices, boardrooms of lawyers, bankers, insurance agents and in various homes throughout my life. There is a certain admiration even reverence for Stonewall Jackson... Continue Reading →
One of Harris’s central themes, not just in this book but in his philosophy in general, is that a successful system of ethics can be erected outside of dogma.
Regardless of whether one considers the Bible to contain the keys to eternal life, its secular contribution to the world stands on its own. The Bible influences (and has influenced) international wars, political elections, philosophical treatises and national amendments to social contracts written under the auspices of natural law.
Brains and Brawn 