As an author of historical fiction and historian, the question of how to juxtapose historical figures against my ethics is common. Now, the first way I judge historical figures is by their own standards. That is whether and to what degree they were hypocrites. The next way I judge figures is whether or not theirContinue reading “Judging Historical Figures”
Tag Archives: Anthropology
The Philosophy of History
I majored in history and one question that comes up in intro history classes is “What is history?” My answer to what history is derived from Hegel and Parfit. It is the process by which paradigms evolve. It is normal becoming strange and a new normal replacing it. It is the unthinkable becoming unthinkable toContinue reading “The Philosophy of History”
Charity versus Justice in Disability Advocacy
First, let’s define both terms. Justice is the rectifying of and atonement for wrongs which does not equate to punitive measures. In the context of disability advocacy, charity is being someone’s friend while justice is standing up to bullies, mediating an apology, and enacting policies or creating social mores which on a broad level changeContinue reading “Charity versus Justice in Disability Advocacy”
Are Fashion Rules a System of Normative Ethics?
Being on the spectrum, there is one form of hatred that trumps all others for my people: shaming. Minor social mistakes lead to major moral panics. Every time a publication like Cosmo or something like it invents rules that establish normative good for the culture or one or more subcultures it places truly good peopleContinue reading “Are Fashion Rules a System of Normative Ethics?”
Bernie Sanders is not a Hippie
I worked on the Bernie Sanders campaign but I have major issues with the Bernie movement. They are the same issues I have with much of the left. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is not a hero of mine but she would be one if she dressed up like Victorian heriess, speaking with a fake posh southern EnglishContinue reading “Bernie Sanders is not a Hippie”
What is a Realistic Post-Rawlsian Society?
Rawls’ thin-good may be my go-to philosophical punching bag, I am not nearly the first person to critque him. He was lacerted by the communitarians of the 1970s and philosophers like Nausaum, today, have their way with him for similiar reasons. The idea that we should abolish all virtue ethics and most utilitarian ethics andContinue reading “What is a Realistic Post-Rawlsian Society?”
Foucault and Asexuality
I thoroughly dislike Foucault but there are elements of his philosophy that I do subscribe to. This article is going to focus on his ideas on the social construction of sexual orientation. Now, sexual orientation is not socially constructed. The categories of hetero, homo, an a sexual are social constructs but not the orientations, themselves.Continue reading “Foucault and Asexuality”
Rawls & The Teleology of the Individual
What does liberal society wish for its members? For the most part, it only wishes for the individual to respect the negative liberties of others and have their negative liberties respected and nothing more. In Rawls’ system, there is no desire for happiness or a lack of suffering like in Bentham and Mill’s utilitarianism. AnContinue reading “Rawls & The Teleology of the Individual”
Local Political Corruption, Part II
The public is a poor judge of character and it isn’t difficult for a sociopath to pass as a saint. Working in local politics, I can attest that it is fairly easy to make people think you’re a good person. First, being handsome helps a lot. The public is pretty stupid, like that. They trustContinue reading “Local Political Corruption, Part II”
Nobody Deserves Anything: The Menu of Punishment or Atonement
The very concept of punishment is primitive and stupid. When I was in my high school gay-straight alliance, there was a general push for anti-bullying policies and, despite my being the victim of worse bullying than most of them, I would never have wanted to press charges in the school conduct system, much less, legally.Continue reading “Nobody Deserves Anything: The Menu of Punishment or Atonement”
The Autistic Resistance 