Art For What’s Sake? Part One
An untechnical conversation on the meaning of art, set in a Middle American saloon with pop music blasting over the speakers.
Tagged: Philosophy
The New Index, Part III: Adam Smith
Adam Smith is one of the heroes of Anglo-American conservatism. Some years ago, movement conservatives used to sport an Adam Smith tie to tell the world of their allegiance.
Utopias Unlimited, III: Slaves of Duty
There is nothing wrong with duty, but, under the sinister influence of Immanuel Kant, the public morality of the 19th century was dangerously deontological, that is, duty-bound.
The Autodidact on Aristotle
The one figure who defines modern thought is Aristotle, not of course because modern thinkers have followed him, but because since Galileo and Descartes and Bacon, scientists and philosophers have defined themselves by their opposition to Aristotle
Autodidact: Filmer’s Patriarcha
I have been asked, many times, to explain my objections to John Locke and his theory of natural rights and the social contract. One way to address that question is the discussion of Sir Robert Filmer Patriarcha I undertook some years ago. I am revising and condensing those pieces for our newer and better project. Patriarcha was actually written before Locke’s Treatises, which effectively debunks the mythology. During the month of June, I will be posting paragraphs of the work, making comments, taking questions and comments from participants in the discussion. The book is available online at http://www.constitution.org/eng/patriarcha but...
The Autodidact on Aristotle
The one figure who defines modern thought is Aristotle, not of course because modern thinkers have followed him, but because since Galileo and Descartes and Bacon, scientists and philosophers have defined themselves by their opposition to Aristotle. That is my first introductory point, as obvious as it is true. Let me add a second point, no less true but more controversial: In all that is most important, Aristotle is more often right than wrong, and consistently right on those points where he has been most attacked. Life Aristotle was born in 384, an Ionian Greek in Stagira in Chalcidice. His...
The Wrongs of Rights