Love has got to be one of the most talked about, argued over, and misunderstood concepts in human history. But what is true love? Is it a feeling of intense romantic passion, or something else entirely? Is it something that just happens unexpectedly, or can we actively cultivate it? The answer to those questions depends …
The value of mischief in enriching our lives
Until recently, I never thought much about mischief — what it is and how it can enrich our lives. Then I came across an article in Aeon magazine by Alex Moran entitled The Delights of Mischief. Moran tells the story of British philosopher, G E M Anscombe: Read More …
“The Map is not the Territory”
“The map is not the territory” is a well-known saying that is often used to illustrate the idea that all models of reality are not reality itself. James A Lindsay, in his book Dot, Dot, Dot reminds us that even Our mathematics, our scientific theories, our models, our philosophical conjectures, and our theological ramblings are all abstract …
The risks of searching for a soul mate
When it comes to finding a soul mate, the risks may outweigh the rewards. There are several dangers associated with looking for a soul mate, and the chances of finding one are slim. First, let’s define what we mean by soul mate. A soul mate is typically thought of as a perfect match – someone …
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Miracle or coincidence?
Everyone has experienced one or more coincidences that seem so amazing it feels like they must be unique and somehow have meaning for our personal lives. For example, we dream about a location we’ve never been to and the next day we find out a friend is moving there. Or we keep seeing the same …
What foundation is needed for morality?
I have observed and been the subject of many discussions with members of theist religions (that is, those who believe in a god of some sort) about what foundation is needed for morality. Theists typically argue that without belief in a god, there can be no foundation for morality. Those who do not believe in …
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The Purpose of Parenting: Encouraging Autonomous Human Beings
Parenting is such a challenge. I know this from experience because my wife and I have raised two daughters and the stories I’ve heard from other parents confirm it. Raising a child is one of the most difficult, complex, and challenging tasks that any human being can engage in. From what I can gather, we …
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Keeping On
How can we not get depressed about the state of things? As you know, RootandBranches had its genesis in the early stages of the COVID Pandemic. The idea was to share hopeful things, to raise our spirits during the lockdowns. I needed to be reminded that the world was still turning and beautiful things were …