Click through for the full version. see the rest at: A Dialogue on Compatibilism - Existential Comics. This edition of Existential Comics manages to summarize most of the free will debate. I especially like the discussion on libertarian free will on the second page. As a compatibilist myself, I've often said that libertarian free will is … Continue reading A dialogue on compatibilism
Author: SelfAwarePatterns
A middle aged guy who loves discussing science, philosophy, history, science fiction, and many other nerdy topics.
Methane-Based Life Possible On Titan
ratamacue0 sent me this interesting Slashdot post: Methane-Based Life Possible On Titan - Slashdot. Randym writes: With the simultaneous announcement of a possible nitrogen-based, cell-like structure allowing life outside the "liquid water zone" (but within a methane atmosphere) announced by researchers at Cornell (academic paper) and the mystery of fluctuating methane levels on Marsraising the possibility of methane-respiring … Continue reading Methane-Based Life Possible On Titan
RIP, Leonard Nimoy
As a Star Trek fan, I'm saddened to hear that the person I've always seen as the face of that franchise is gone. But I take consolation from the fact that he did live long and prosper.
SMBC: Apologies by discipline
Click through for full sized version. via Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal. STRICT REDUCTIONIST: Anyway, apologies are an evolutionary survival mechanism and therefore just an illusion.
Shoulder update, hopefully the last
Just a quick follow up on my previous shoulder update post on my recent shoulder pain struggles. The second doctor thought the surgery recommendation was premature. He recommended conservative treatment, including a cortisone shot and physical therapy exercises, followed by a second shot in a month or two, if needed. Only if problems persisted after that would he … Continue reading Shoulder update, hopefully the last
A close pass by a red dwarf star, and a note on interplanetary and interstellar distances
First, in case you haven't heard: 70,000 Years Ago, Another Star Flew by the Edge of the Solar System | RealClearScience. According to an international team of astronomers, about 70,000 years ago a red dwarf star -- nicknamed "Scholz’s star" for the astronomer who discovered it -- passed by our solar system just 0.8 light years … Continue reading A close pass by a red dwarf star, and a note on interplanetary and interstellar distances
Twelve Angry Philosophers – Existential Comics
Click through for full version. continued at Twelve Angry Philosophers - Existential Comics. I think the final panels in the full version represent the end result of most philosophical debates. Not that we shouldn't have those debates, but we should be conscious of the fact that many philosophical problems have no authoritative answer. Some, and this … Continue reading Twelve Angry Philosophers – Existential Comics
Religion, the Axial Age, and theoretic culture
I recently read the late Robert Bellah's 'Religion in Human Evolution: From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age.' Although the title of the book seems to narrow it to just religion, in ancient societies, religion was just about everything, so the book ended up being about the development of cultures, which isn't too surprising given … Continue reading Religion, the Axial Age, and theoretic culture
Shoulder update
A couple of people have asked for an update, so I thought I'd just do a brief post. As many of you know, I've been struggling with pain in my right shoulder for a couple of months now, which has lowered my posting frequency dramatically (some from physical discomfort, and some I think from just … Continue reading Shoulder update
Zombies discussing philosophical zombies
Click through for full sized version, and philosophical explanation if you're not familiar with David Chalmer's and Daniel Dennett's positions on philosophical zombies. Philosophy Humans - Existential Comics. I can't say I've ever been too impressed with the idea of a philosophical zombie. I could see maybe a zombie existing that behaves identically to a … Continue reading Zombies discussing philosophical zombies
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