Category Archives: Philosophy

The Sorites Paradox (problems of vagueness)

Posted on June 28, 2016 by odeboyz

Professor John Curtice Would you describe a man with one hair on his head as bald? Yes. Would you describe a man with two hairs on his head as bald? Yes. … However a man with ten thousand hairs on his head … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hannah Arendt* Escapes Nazi Germany

Posted on June 21, 2016 by odeboyz

(Hannah and her mother) crossed to Czechoslovakia (then still safe) by a method that sounds almost too fabulous to be true: a sympathetic German family on the border had a house with its front door in Germany and its back … Continue reading →

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Why Conservatives win elections

Posted on May 10, 2016 by odeboyz

“…we have a disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition…..We see frequently the vices and follies of the powerful much less … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Training to be a beggar

Posted on May 3, 2016 by odeboyz

He* once begged alms of a statue, and, when asked why he did so, replied, “To get practice in being refused.” *Diogenes a Greek philosopher from ancient times Chris

Posted in Philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Existential Ranting*

Posted on February 29, 2016 by odeboyz

After calling his taxi driver a ‘sweaty, stupid little shit’, David Mellor rattled through the long list of things that make him a superior human being. ‘You’ve been driving a cab for ten years? I have been in the Cabinet!’ … Continue reading →

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Philosophy meets religion

Posted on November 24, 2015 by odeboyz

Because there are many religions is it the case that there must be at least one god? (Chris)

Posted in Philosophy, Religion | Tagged | 1 Comment

Retirement

Posted on November 20, 2015 by odeboyz

Recently, well at the September AGM I carried out my last duty as the PETRA Chair, and after giving the committee my last ever monthly Chairs report – my 147th in the 13 years I held the position as Chair, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Philosophy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The British Government’s response to the Jewish refugee crisis 1933-9

Posted on November 13, 2015 by odeboyz

British governments are not moral beacons when dealing with refugee crises. The current (2015) British government’s toxic position on Syria closely resembles the Jewish refugee crisis of 1933-9. Nazi efforts to make Germany ‘Jew free’ accelerated throughout those years. Despite … Continue reading →

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What is a car?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by odeboyz

If you’re relaxed and intellectually playful then the question ‘What is a car?’ won’t set your teeth on edge. At first sight it looks puerile. After all, even very young children can identify a car successfully. So what is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mediocrity

Posted on October 13, 2015 by odeboyz

I can’t solve my problems So I’m going to kill myself, In a memorable way. Go down in history Then I’ll break out of my dullness. Just once. I’ll wait for bright sunshine so the images are clear Crowds of … Continue reading →

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