I am a scientifically-minded person who is trying to sort out my religious beliefs. I think it would be helpful to read some debates between deism, atheism, pantheism (Spinozism), and/or a scientifically-grounded theism. Can anyone recommend me books or essays that discuss these topics in ways that are engaging, well-thought-out, and thorough?
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posted by capricorn
on Mar 19, 2013 -
16 answers
Help me to philosophically pigeon-hole what I take to be the
methodological views of many professors in my economics department. Then help me to explore that and other pigeon-holes.
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posted by mister_kaupungister
on Dec 1, 2012 -
10 answers
Students of art, lovers of philosophy, can you recommend a book I can buy as a gift for a friend?
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posted by Chichibio
on Jul 25, 2012 -
17 answers
Looking for recommendations for books on Christian apologetics that take seriously the reality of evolution rather than denying it in favor of the argument from design.
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posted by huxham
on Apr 3, 2012 -
12 answers
Does anyone know of any books for children around the age of 9 (a rather intelligent 9 year old mind you) that explores philosophical concepts, specifically metaphysics and epistemology. I gave him some old philosophy textbooks of mine, but they were a little too much for him I think.
posted by fightoplankton
on Mar 19, 2012 -
24 answers
"When she sat across from the philosopher the hour glass flipped in her mind and the sand started to fall." Where is this quote from?
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posted by everydayanewday
on Feb 11, 2012 -
4 answers
Help me find the name of that brief interactive “game” where the narrator (speaking aloud, British I think) describes the actions of the player, marching us toward our inevitable demise… until we decide to disobey his narrative.
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posted by scamper
on Feb 11, 2012 -
5 answers
What does the "principle of dissolvent rationality" mean in Chapter 1 of
The Dialectic of Enlightenment?
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posted by jwhite1979
on Oct 16, 2011 -
5 answers
I am looking for one single book, perhaps a college-level read (not much higher), that explains the case for atheism. I'm not looking for any 'new atheist books', though I have enjoyed them -- especially Harris. I have read Bertrand Russell as well. I have a few atheist friends but do not want to talk to them about this as I am a Christian and don't want to give them the impression that I want to change them or judge them. I just want more exposure to it in a sincere and kind fashion without short bumper sticker like explanations. (BTW, I don't look at my friends as "Hey, here come my 'atheist' friends! But mainly here comes "Bob" and "Joe". I just don't think it is right to bug them about their positions or lack thereof. <--Not sure how to state that.) Thanks in advance for your book recommendation.
posted by snap_dragon
on Jul 3, 2011 -
33 answers
[ConceptFilter] Is there a word for something that's simultaneously
self-sufficient,
utility-oriented, and
minimalist?
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posted by fix
on Jun 1, 2011 -
11 answers
Once upon a time on the Blue, I remember reading an article that went into great analytical detail about the social significance of slow versus fast zombies, even citing philosophers like Hume to make its point. However, I can't find the article for the life of me!
Help me, MeFites!
posted by whimsicalnymph
on May 9, 2011 -
3 answers
I follow politics and current events, especially international politics, fanatically. I know next to nothing about economic systems, philosophy (particularly political philosophy), sociology, and other basics of social science that could be useful when trying to make sense of the world, though. I would like to change this.
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posted by dcheeno
on Apr 13, 2011 -
25 answers
Please help me identify a philosophy book. Title and author are unknown, subject may have been either evil or deception. Ridiculously vague description inside.
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posted by BigSky
on Jan 18, 2011 -
5 answers
Where can I read about the philosophies of spiritual or ritualisted drinking and drunkenness?
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posted by curious nu
on Jan 10, 2011 -
6 answers
I'm making a mod for Amnesia: The Dark Descent, set in Prussia around the turn of the nineteenth century (late 1700s or early 1800s), and I'm looking to add short written excerpts on the theme of abstract justice versus the collateral human cost of achieving it as notes for the player to pick up.
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posted by Tubalcain
on Jan 10, 2011 -
4 answers
Can you help me understand a little more about Buddhism so I can enjoy both sides of the discussion in a particular book?
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posted by studentbaker
on Jan 6, 2011 -
13 answers
Does anyone know if the international edition of "A Concise Introduction to Logic, Tenth Edition" has the same problem sets as the us version? Alternatively, does anyone have the u.s. version who would be willing to compare? Failing those, does anyone know of a resource online where I could find out?
posted by vash
on Sep 17, 2010 -
3 answers
I'm interested in Philosophy of Law / Jurisprudence. What primary materials should be on a reading list fit for a semester-long 400-level university course?
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posted by Picklegnome
on Aug 16, 2010 -
10 answers
Greeting hive, I want to start in on reading
David Hume. Where should I start?
Which Hume books or collections should I begin with to ease into his works?
And, perhaps more importantly, which
editions (I like footnotes:)
Thanks! :)
posted by DavidandConquer
on Aug 1, 2010 -
10 answers
How do I do a good literature review for a research paper in philosophy? I have access to good resources, but I really want to make sure that I cover everything that's been written on the topic. How can I put myself at ease while making sure I don't miss a beat?
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posted by superiorchicken
on Jun 23, 2010 -
17 answers
[PhilosophyFilter] Are there any responses in the 20th/21st century to Bertrand Russel's stance on existence, beliefs, logic, truth, and knowledge, as he presented it in
The Problems of Philosophy? If yes, what and from whom?
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posted by knz
on Apr 14, 2010 -
16 answers
What are some good resources on Buddhism for someone who wants to remain attached to Western scientific rationalism?
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posted by Lifeson
on Mar 10, 2010 -
35 answers
How is 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' received among professional philosophers?
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posted by aesacus
on Mar 6, 2010 -
22 answers
Can anyone remind me which philosopher has a personal website displaying her beautiful photographs of her university friends and colleagues?
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posted by jayder
on Sep 26, 2009 -
4 answers
What should an extended abstract (in the humanities) look like? This is for philosophy in particular, though I assume it might be a similar style for other disciplines.
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posted by JoshSmith
on Sep 20, 2009 -
2 answers
Looking for a joke by Wittgenstein, something like "Are they crazy?" "No, they're just doing philosophy."
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posted by creasy boy
on Aug 29, 2009 -
3 answers
Can you ID these short stories and help me find them? I think there were at least two, they were written by Keith Laumer, and they appeared in a paperback IF anthology that I can't find. They are about the right of revolution (one may be titled something like that) and take place on a mining colony on another planet. I think the first is about the miners who revolt and are led by an Ayn-Rand-character-like person (his name is John Ralt or something). The second is about the 'ARcl' person who is now in charge and must deal with dissenters who contest his moral and political authority. And were there any more stories in this vein, or just two?
posted by Mr. Justice
on Jul 8, 2009 -
5 answers
"How can you say I am not a success? I have not been eaten and I have not failed to eat" (or words to that effect). Trying to find the source of this quote. I was thinking maybe Jonathan Swift, but my google-fu is failing me.
posted by telstar
on Jun 1, 2009 -
5 answers
I need your suggestions for interesting, exciting and thought provoking philosophy for me to read this summer!
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posted by tumples
on May 27, 2009 -
38 answers
I'm having a
really hard time dealing with news of humans' brutality to other humans. When I read the news (esp. that coming out of the African continent) , my immediate response is that, as a species, we simply don't deserve to exist.
I need some recommendations for literature, films, poetry, that addresses these issues and comes out optimistic. No Cormac McCarthy thanks.
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posted by xenoworx
on May 4, 2009 -
59 answers
I just finished reading "Gandhi the Man,
The Story od His Transformation" by Eknath Easwaran. I want to learn more on his philosophy, I want to know more details on how he was able to persuade people against the use of violence. What books can you suggest?
posted by francesca too
on Apr 8, 2009 -
4 answers
I'm stumped with a college seminar question, hopefully just due to semantics. What is the main argument of Descartes, with regards to proving that he is a thinking thing?
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posted by jhighmore
on Dec 12, 2008 -
15 answers
I don´t have a brilliant academic career or anything. I live in Brazil, I just turned 24, and just recently majored in communication/journalism. For the past few years my main interest has been political philosophy and political science. I would like to study abroad, preferably in the United States or United Kingdom.
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posted by sumo
on Nov 27, 2008 -
5 answers
I need to find a summer job. Ideally I'd like to do something related to education, as I'm hoping to work in education (explained in more detail inside) when I'm finished with my own education - but I am much more interested in research and theory than in classroom work, so I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas. I'm interested in ideas that are very tangentially related to education as well as ones that are very related.
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posted by bubukaba
on Jan 9, 2007 -
6 answers
