Humans pride themselves on their ability to think, and hold that ability as a distinguishing feature setting them above other animals and machines. But could we meet our equal? Could a computer think? In a thought experiment, we explore whether and how we could develop a robot/computer which might, or might not, do so. And if it could think, would it understand meaning?
A scientific criticism of the ideas put forward by a number of thinkers such as Patrick Dillon, Edward Gibbon and others in determining the best time and place to be alive. The author argues that determination of the best time and place to be alive is not related to the time or place but the way each individual perceives it based on his intelligence, general knowledge, passed experiences, creativity and inner feelings. One place or time being the best for one may not be so for another.
On a cosmic scale, a human life is as ephemeral and pointless as the life of a butterfly: nothing matters. But when I confront the particularities of the everyday outer world, everything matters. I accept both answers as true within their time-scale. In this article I attempt to justify these answers.
Watching Perry and now Cain wrestle with simple thoughts with their simple minds, I am reminded of the funny tag line: “What if they had a presidential election and nobody showed up to run?” Watching these guys try to bluff their way into the highest office in the land is very sad if it wasn’t so funny and terrifying! The thing we have to keep in mind is that the level of dysfunction in our nation and the level of complication in world affairs has reached a level where it will no longer be easy to get…
That anything at all exists has vexed philosophers endlessly. Why is their an existence? Even in our own minds we wonder as to what good fortune allowed existence to come to be. But as we wonder on this question, we must also examine assumptions we bring to our amazement. Nothing can seem simple, and elegant, and balanced, but a bit of thought could show the simplicity, balance and elegance may not be easy. If we examine our assumptions about nothing, nothing could be something of a tricky thing to have, and something a less difficult state of affairs.
You can be happy to some extent if you try to keep yourself satisfied and find out how to be happier in life from within. Many people make themselves believe that they don’t deserve happiness and accept their unhappy state of life as their destiny. The truth is that happiness is to be created and nurtured by you.
An article that links the themes of dragon kung fu, with the symbolism of the Chinese Communist Party (Red Dragon) and the article then goes on to tell of the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP. Falun Gong is a peaceful tai chi type practice that adheres to truthfulness compassion and tolerance.
Atlantis is a fictional device that Ayn Rand invented for her novel Atlas Shrugged to answer the productive world’s need for an exit. The September Second Society is about raising Atlantis, and making it real.
When Charles Darwin propounded his work in the path breaking “The Origin of Species” in the year 1859, most and Clergy understandably, could not relate to the musings he underwent on his trip around the globe on HMS Beagle. I blame them not, for our interpretation of truth and right is limited by our understandings and the cognition we build unknowingly by the culture and societal background we come from. We often tend to resist anything which is novel and alien. It has got to do more with the nature. As Newton would’ve said to it: A body in rest or motion will continue to be so and will always resist the application of external force on it. Our blood cells will always resist and assail anything which is foreign.
The perennial question, it should rather be asked “What can’t you do?” Here’s a few thoughts on the intrinsic and extrinsic value of a degree in philosophy, especially coupled with other skills in life, or other degrees earned.
