Philosophy
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Thoughtlets. LXXIII. On the moral connotations of rationality
[Excerpt from my writing archives followed by a footnote.] …‘Rational’ not only indicates the right, correct, approved, reasonable, or sensible way of thinking, but also the term invariably means the right thinking and goodness of the author or speaker. Hence ‘rational’ also has moral connotations.[1] [1] Morally reprehensible people, on some conceptions, include those who allow themselves to Continue reading
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Thoughlets. LXX. Trust me, I’m Rational.
…Maintaining an appearance of rationality is crucial to one’s reputation, i.e. the credibility one requires to be a trusted source of information among her peers, e.g. colleagues, co-workers, hiring committees.[1] [1] This charade is akin to inflating one’s resume to outperform equally qualified applicants for a job position, which, unless stretched beyond all plausibility, is not Continue reading
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Thoughtlets. LXIX. The Golden Mean Wobbles.
(Excerpt from my archives, here referring to the back and forthing in philosophical argumentation.) …As philosophers, our professional duties include calling each other out on the use of ad hominens, but in so doing we need be careful not to deploy them ourselves..1 [footnote1] This back and forthing process can get quite heated and lends Continue reading
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Thoughtlets. LXII.
Since political rhetoric hooks up with mental states that move us in one direction or another, it’s a good idea to examine the conceptual baggage we lug around. Continue reading
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