A while back I did some Googling to find out whether someone out there had written a book similar to mine, and in my research I came across Charles Johnson's novel, Faith and The Good Thing. Too good to be true. He too makes use of the most powerful centerpieces in Plato's works: The Allegory of the … Continue reading The Challenges in Writing a Philosophical Novel
Plato
Eidos and AI: What is a Thingamajig?
To understand this post, you might have to read part I and part II on phenomenology and artificial intelligence. The question I'm asking is not: Can computers think? Or: Can AI have consciousness? But: Can meaning "run ahead" for AI the way it does for us? Can we program intentionality, the "about-ness" or "directed-ness" toward … Continue reading Eidos and AI: What is a Thingamajig?
Stumbling Blocks in Reading Philosophy
Philosophical texts are notoriously difficult to read, but the real problem comes when each text calls for a distinct set of skills. By the time you've "cracked the code" to reach that "ah ha" moment with one philosopher, it's time to start all over with another. I'd like to share some of my stumbling blocks … Continue reading Stumbling Blocks in Reading Philosophy
What is Freedom?
Just another word for nothing left to lose? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn7dKI3fbYg At Jmeqvist, you'll find a great post distinguishing between positive and negative freedom. I'd like elaborate on these to get you good and confused: 1. Negative Freedom. Here I'm quoting Johan at Jmeqvist as he says it so well: "...we are free in so far as external … Continue reading What is Freedom?
Avoid “Her”pes—Fall in Love With Your Laptop
I'm going to admit right off the bat that the title of this post as nothing to do with the content. I just couldn't resist. I'm thrilled by Her, a sci-fi romantic comedy directed by Spike Jones, who was also the co-creator of that ridiculously awful show, Jackass, on MTV, a fact that baffles me. Anyhow, I'll go … Continue reading Avoid “Her”pes—Fall in Love With Your Laptop
