Tag Archives: Humility

Minding Our Own Business

Posted on December 16, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

I’m pretty sure that the Dalai Lama quote is fake, but it’s still true. “Not my effing problem” can be a path not only to inner peace, but also to social peace. Think for a moment about what it means … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science | Tagged Arrogance, Humility, Liberty, Life, Respect, Respect for others, Social Conflict, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Humility and Tolerance Go Together

Posted on December 1, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Name an issue: Immigration. Abortion. Free speech. Lockdowns. Riots. Race relations. Many people are absolutely sure that they know what the problems and solutions are. If you don’t agree with them, then they think you must be ignorant, stupid, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life | Tagged Arrogance, Benjamin Franklin, Humility, Intellectual humility, Intolerance, Rational disagreement, Rationality, Tolerance, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Utopia’s Biggest Problem

Posted on July 21, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Blogger Marcus Ampe has written a thoughtful essay about utopianism. But he’s realistic about the impossibility of creating a perfect society. He wants, instead, to think about ways we can make society better. That’s a practical goal for which we … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Political Science, Society | Tagged Goals, Happiness, History, Humility, Morality, Philosophy, Social Change, Social harmony, Social Peace, Tolerance, Utopianism | 1 Comment

In Defense of Misguided People

Posted on June 28, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Misguided people are all around us. Of course, which people we call misguided depends on how misguided we are, ourselves. So I want to say a few words in defense of misguided people. They might not know the facts I … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Philosophy, Psychology | Tagged Charity, Division of labor, Forgiveness, Honesty, Human motivation, Humility, Knowledge, Limits of knowledge | Leave a comment

What You Can Do About the World

Posted on August 7, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

The world can be a scary place. It is now. As one website commenter remarked: “We wake up, have breakfast, send the kids to school, walk the dog, go to work, come home and everything seems just fine, and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science, Psychology, Society | Tagged Fake news, Hateful rhetoric, Humility, Hysteria, Inflammatory rhetoric, Intellectual humility, Internet, Live and let live, News Media, Peaceful cooperation, Peaceful disagreement, Propaganda, Rational Argument, Social discord, Social Media | 3 Comments

You’re Responsible for You

Posted on March 14, 2019 by N.S. Palmer

When you’re a small child, you feel that everything is about you. Your parents often encourage that delusion. They try to create a bubble where your needs are satisfied, your feelings are considered, and your safety is ensured. It’s a … Continue reading →