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Category Archives: Human Relations
Why People Are Not Things
Is it ever justified to treat people unequally? Before you try to answer, notice something about the question: It’s not a factual question. It doesn’t ask what is, but what ought to be. We might include facts in our answer, but … Continue reading
The Costs of Forbidden Thoughts
“Truth has nothing to fear from open discussion and debate: in fact, they are its closest allies.” Continue reading
Two Beliefs That Don’t Conflict
Some beliefs are inconsistent with each other. If you hold one of the beliefs, then you can’t hold the other. For example: The number 5 is less than the number 10. The number 5 is not less than the number … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Philosophy, Psychology
Tagged Choice, Human Rights, Moral Choice, Moral persons, Morality, Naturalistic fallacy
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The Hidden Cause of Our Disagreement
Note: This blog post explains one cause of society’s basic disagreements. It is not intended to denigrate anyone on either side of the argument. It’s obvious which side I favor, but I’ve done my best to be fair. There’s a … Continue reading
The Plural of Anecdote is Data
It’s said that the plural of “anecdote” is “data,” so here’s some data in anecdote-sized packages. My family has so far been spared any cases of Covid-19, thank Goodness. However, a friend of mine got it and is now recovering … Continue reading
Don’t Live Like a Victim
Don’t live like a victim. Even in the most fortunate life, some bad things will happen. To you. To me. To everyone. Sometimes, it’s because of what other people do. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of luck. And sometimes, it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Psychology
Tagged Acceptance, Constructive attitude, Life, Positive attitude, Realism, Self-acceptance, Success
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Forgive Us Our Microaggressions
I have a question, but please don’t take it in the wrong way. I don’t mean to offend anyone. I’m just curious. How is a microaggression different from nothing at all? “Microaggression” is one of those new words made up … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Psychology
Tagged Lunacy, Microaggression, Paranoia, Political correctness, Racism, Tolerance
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Perfection or Nothing?
The French philosopher Voltaire warned that “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” Pursuit of “perfect” but impossible goals makes us reject possible goals because they’re imperfect. And we often make things even worse than they were in the … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science, Psychology, Society
Tagged Communism, Human Nature, Leftism, Leftist, Magical thinking, Perfectionism, Podhoretz, Realism, Utopia, Utopianism, Voltaire
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The One Where I Told a Little Lie
Can you go through life and never tell a lie? Honesty is the best policy. But it’s a policy — not an unbreakable rule. If most of us weren’t honest most of the time, social life would be impossible. Nobody … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life
Tagged Ethics, Grading, Graduate school, Higher education, Honesty, Morality, Motivation, Pragmatism, Teaching, Utilitarianism
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Forgiveness Can Mean Freedom
When people have deceived or manipulated us, it’s difficult to forgive them. I’ve worked for some terrific bosses over the years. One of them is Jim Grey, whose luck with his own bosses hasn’t been quite as good as mine. … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Human Relations, Life, Psychology
Tagged Forgiveness, Freedom, Life, Positive attitude, Pragmatism, Revenge, Wisdom
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The Thousand-Year View 