Category Archives: Philosophy

John Kenneth Galbraith’s Wealth and Poverty (1963)

Posted on August 2, 2018 by

“The modern conservative… not even especially modern… is engaged… in one of man’s oldest, best financed, most applauded, and, on the whole, least successful exercises in moral philosophy. That is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness….Social Security … Continue reading →

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The economics of human organs as ‘spare parts’

Posted on January 19, 2018 by

“… consider the idea of establishing a market for human organs. For example, the buying and selling of kidneys is currently illegal in the United States and United Kingdom. But demand for kidneys outstrips the supply of kidneys. More people … Continue reading →

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Why Can’t Babies Vote? Insights from the Sorites Paradox

Posted on October 27, 2017 by

The 1918 Representation of the People Act swept away gender and property as qualifications for the franchise, leaving age as the sole criterion. Although there’s been tinkering with the actual age at which British citizens can vote, the principle remains … Continue reading →

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Our intolerant society: a rough sleeper in our tower block

Posted on August 11, 2017 by

On our Council estate in north-east London we have a diverse group of people including some very obnoxious individuals. At the repulsive end of the spectrum our caretaker came across a woman sleeping rough in the basement of one of … Continue reading →

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The Pearl Levitt theory of pain management

Posted on June 28, 2017 by

What can’t be cured must be endured. Chris

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A philosopher contemplates death: Voltaire (1770)

Posted on March 28, 2017 by

In any case, Voltaire* added jocularly, he expected to die shortly and would soon find out who was right concerning immortality of the soul— Plato or Spinoza, Saint Paul or Epictetus, Christianity or Confucianism. *This is jocular because Voltaire was … Continue reading →

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Euthanasia: a civic right

Posted on March 10, 2017 by

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow… They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. … Continue reading →

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