Philosophy-types often argue about the existence of “free will.” The notion is that we either have the ability to decide how to behave or there is something–maybe our DNA or the laws of physics or social pressures or some combination thereof–that determines those decisions. It’s a typical “either/or” debate in the West. In the East…
(published in the Arizona Daily Star, February 12, 2023) “If God is all good and all powerful, why is there evil? If God can’t prevent evil, He is not all powerful. If He can prevent evil but does not want to, He is not all good.” This is a typical formulation of one of the…
The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, made his career on the basis of definitions. In the classic “Dialogues,” documented by his erstwhile student, Plato, someone—usually one of the well known professional Sophists of the time–makes a proposition regarding topics like “justice” or “power” or even “truth.” Socrates then asks questions as to the implications of that…
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” The usual understanding of that phrase is that it takes a lot of language to effectively communicate what a single image can convey. I don’t think that is quite the case, however. Words tend to be rather explicit–open to interpretation, yes, but such interpretations fall within a range…
In philosophical terms, the approach in this meme might be called “solipsism” or “monism.” It is also the essence of the branch of Hinduism called “Advaita Vedanta.” Interestingly enough, if you replace the terms “life” and “consciousness” with “field” you get a pretty close approximation of what quantum physics has to say about what we…
There are many things that seem wonderful, even miraculous, but only after the fact. “Genius” may be one of those things. After all, who doesn’t want to be super smart? Or super talented? Or super…well…anything? What people overlook, however, is that terms like “genius” and “extraordinary” and “miraculous” are simply other labels for “abnormal.” Lots…
Many people see the process of “enlightenment” as involving degrees of peace and contentment. That the process can be inherently violent–a ripping away of illusions and even relationships based on those illusions–is probably one of the features that turn people away from considering such spiritual questions. It is relatively easy to look back on, say,…
Whenever I see pictures like this, it always reminds me of the Jewish festival of Sukkot–which is presently being observed. It is a holiday that combines a harvest festival typical of many cultures with a commemoration of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The booths–“sukkot”–were the temporary huts in which the Israelites dwelled during both. Ritually…
There is a Zen story in which a student approaches his teacher and asks, “Master, what happens after we die?” The Master says, “I don’t know.” The student is taken aback. “What do you mean? Aren’t you a Zen Master.” “Yes, I am.” the master replies, “But I am not a dead one.” I also…
There is a Jewish midrash (legend) to the effect that the Biblical Solomon carried two notes with him everywhere. One said, “For me, the universe was created;” the other, “My end will be dust and ashes.” When he was overwhelmed by all the pressures and crises of the monarchy to the point where he felt…