Search found 22 matches

by Alchemyst
Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:54 am
Forum: General Philosophical Discussion
Topic: Humanity is Trending Towards Stupidity??
Replies: 31
Views: 6308

Re: Humanity is Trending Towards Stupidity??

Humanity is trending towards asking questions in the form of statements :?
by Alchemyst
Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:58 pm
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Racism does it make sense?
Replies: 54
Views: 16507

Re: Racism does it make sense?

Humans are a single race, but some races are less homogeneous than others. We are not as tightly defined as golden eagles or great white sharks but more singular than dogs. The genetic variation within the human race is similar to that found between breeds of cat. Racism is, I think, partly a form o...
by Alchemyst
Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:55 pm
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Saving the red squirrel - a matter of ethics or aesthetics?
Replies: 9
Views: 3305

Re: Saving the red squirrel - a matter of ethics or aestheti

Do environmental issues attract much attention in the U.S.A? Is there a Green Party or something similar?
by Alchemyst
Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:01 pm
Forum: General Philosophical Discussion
Topic: Do you feel you were born in a non-advanced age?
Replies: 8
Views: 3386

Re: Do you feel you were born in a non-advanced age?

I feel I live in an age which is not as culturally advanced as when I was born.
by Alchemyst
Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:54 pm
Forum: Applied Ethics
Topic: What should we ask candidates for office before we vote?
Replies: 31
Views: 9703

Re: What should we ask candidates for office before we vote?

Ask the candidate for a written definition of his or her duties as a representative and a signed pledge to carry out those duties. Alternatively:

Image
by Alchemyst
Sun Sep 28, 2014 3:08 pm
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Racism does it make sense?
Replies: 54
Views: 16507

Re: Racism does it make sense?

Okay, there is no current scientific consensus about whether the domination of some sports by some types of African has a genetic basis. We'll call that a draw. But I think this shines light on the issue: Why do we so readily accept that evolution has turned out blacks with a genetic proclivity to c...
by Alchemyst
Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:32 am
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Racism does it make sense?
Replies: 54
Views: 16507

Re: Racism does it make sense?

In reply to Uwot regarding race and sporting ability:

http://www.livescience.com/10716-scient ... stest.html
by Alchemyst
Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:44 pm
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Racism does it make sense?
Replies: 54
Views: 16507

Re: Racism does it make sense?

Race is a biological concept, but it is a relative one. A powerful enough genetic test will reveal your ancestry as being derived from a certain area of the world, or more than one area. http://jaymans.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/global-genetic-distances-map.jpg http://anthropologynet.files.wordpres...
by Alchemyst
Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:16 pm
Forum: Ethical Theory
Topic: Saving the red squirrel - a matter of ethics or aesthetics?
Replies: 9
Views: 3305

Saving the red squirrel - a matter of ethics or aesthetics?

Some background information: Although not thought to be under any threat worldwide, the red squirrel has drastically reduced in number in the United Kingdom. Fewer than 140,000 individuals are thought to be left, approximately 85% of which are in Scotland, with the Isle of Wight being the largest ha...
by Alchemyst
Mon Jul 16, 2012 1:40 am
Forum: Gender Philosophy
Topic: Unmarried Philosophers
Replies: 37
Views: 19420

Re: Unmarried Philosophers

You missed out Soren Kierkegaard - possibly the most interesting case of the nearly-married philosopher.
by Alchemyst
Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:47 am
Forum: Political Philosophy
Topic: SOCIALISM IS THE USE OF FORCE TO TAKE AWAY FREEDOM
Replies: 233
Views: 64571

Re: SOCIALISM IS THE USE OF FORCE TO TAKE AWAY FREEDOM

There's not much social mobility in Britain now (although that is partly due to bad government). I don't envy the rich, I just feel somewhat sorry on behalf of those whose potential goes unrealised because they can't afford a good education, the best equipment, regular transport, etc. and for those ...
by Alchemyst
Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:57 pm
Forum: Political Philosophy
Topic: Capitalism .V. Socialism
Replies: 57
Views: 26946

Re: Capitalism .V. Socialism

You originally said this:
. . . part of us is influenced to be selfish, and another part, altruistic, but only with respect to groups we identify with.
If you'd said mostly instead of only then I'd have had no point to make.
by Alchemyst
Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:40 pm
Forum: Political Philosophy
Topic: SOCIALISM IS THE USE OF FORCE TO TAKE AWAY FREEDOM
Replies: 233
Views: 64571

Re: SOCIALISM IS THE USE OF FORCE TO TAKE AWAY FREEDOM

I didn't used to call myself a socialist, then one day I came across the stats for the distribution of wealth in the UK: Top 01% own 21% of total UK wealth Top 05% own 40% of total UK wealth Top 10% own 53% of total UK wealth Top 25% own 72% of total UK wealth Top 50% own 93% of total UK wealth Is h...
by Alchemyst
Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:01 pm
Forum: Political Philosophy
Topic: Capitalism .V. Socialism
Replies: 57
Views: 26946

Re: Capitalism .V. Socialism

Regarding Alice Cooper, you are not worthy! (Humourous film reference - a spoonful of sugar, etc.) If the group is human beings that only leaves animals or aliens to extend our goodwill to, and we know it happens with the former. Put it this way, assuming I had an average income for my nation (curre...
by Alchemyst
Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:01 pm
Forum: Political Philosophy
Topic: Capitalism .V. Socialism
Replies: 57
Views: 26946

Re: Capitalism .V. Socialism

I did say that I accepted your general point about intra-group preference and morality. I just don't think it's absolute and that a minority in any group (about 20%) are capable of altruism towards outsiders. This comes from individual personality traits. And whatever the faults of Americans, Alice ...