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- TED: Phil Hansen: Embrace the shake - Phil Hansen (2013)
- TED: Peter Singer: The why and how of effective altruism - Peter Singer (2013)
- TED: Sergey Brin: Why Google Glass? - Sergey Brin (2013)
- TED: Jay Silver: Hack a banana, make a keyboard! - Jay Silver (2013)
- TED: Liu Bolin: The invisible man - Liu Bolin (2013)
Category Archives: Social and Political Philosophy
The Tale of the Slave
Robert Nozick’s dangerous question. Download Video or MP3
Posted in Media Articles, Cartoons, Social and Political Philosophy
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What Democracy is not…
Discuss.
The Fallacy of ‘Deepest Offence’
The Fallacy of ‘Deepest Offence’ By Peter Ellerton image via here Nothing is so central to a liberal society as the right to discuss ideas. Not being able to do this at all is totalitarianism – the banning of discussing, … Continue reading
When Should Science be Censored?
Calls to censor details of potential killer flu via ABC News The suppression of breakthrough research into deadly bird flu strains has been labelled scientific censorship by some, but others say it is a necessary step to prevent a possible … Continue reading
Posted in Booklets, Handouts and Worksheets, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, Media Articles, Cartoons, Social and Political Philosophy
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Reasons for Reason
Via MICHAEL P. LYNCH NYTimes The Stone Rick Perry’s recent vocal dismissals of evolution, and his confident assertion that “God is how we got here” reflect an obvious divide in our culture. In one sense, that divide is just over the … Continue reading
Philosophical Health Check
This is a fabulous online interactive to see how coherent your beliefs and values are as a whole (tpm online) Check your [philosophical]Tension Quotient! To take the philosophical health check (PHC), go through the statements below, selecting for each one … Continue reading
Philosophy in Senior Schools
(From my appearance on ABC Radio National’s ‘Philosopher’s Zone) http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2007/1911312.htm Philosophy is about asking childlike questions – how do we know the world exists? How do we know it hasn’t just started existing? Why can’t we go back in time? … Continue reading
Sweet & sour: Junior Master Chefs
Philosopher column in the Weekend Australian poses questions about this popular show. What is the fine line between not mollycoddling children vs exposing them unecessarily to pressure? Consumerism, social psychology & philosophy, rights & obligations of adults to children. Can … Continue reading
The Role of Men in the Modern World
News article about how modern men shape up to their ancient counterparts. Social and political philosophy. Human nature. The Role of Men in the Modern World (pdf)
Paid to not reproduce
FEMALE drug addicts in Wales could soon be offered money to use contraceptive implants to stop them falling pregnant. Political and social philosophy. TOK. Paid not to reproduce (pdf)
Do home-schooled kids get enough social education?
Q: * Do home-schooled kids get enough social education? *Should we be concerned with the potential effects of home schooling on children’s social integration? *Are some countries, such as Germany, right to ban home-schooling? Ask the Philosopher column in The … Continue reading
Civics should be a class act
Opinion piece about the teaching of ethics in NSW public schools, as an alternative to scripture classes. Written by Tim Soutphommasane, political theorist and author of Reclaiming Patriotism. Ask the Philosopher 2010 Mar06 Home schooling – social education (docx) (Uploaded by … Continue reading
Cognitive Bias in Reasoning
A list of topics from Wikipedia – visit there by clicking on the links – well worth the effort. Decision-making and behavioral biases Many of these biases are studied for how they affect belief formation, business decisions, and scientific research. … Continue reading
Psychology and Psychics – Why some people think they are psychic.
Interesting article on why people may feel psychic from New Scientist. Philosophy of mind, human nature, psychics, psychology. New Scientist Belief Special 28 January 2006 Glad to be gullible Clare Wilson It is five minutes past midnight and I am alone … Continue reading
Why should I respect oppressive religions?
Religion and the ‘right’ to respect – comments on recent United Nations changes to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ethics, religion, social and political philosophy. Johann Hari Posted from: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-should-i-respect-these-oppressive-religions-1517789.html Whenever a religious belief is criticised, its adherents say … Continue reading
The Eternal Value of Privacy
Why do we need privacy laws? Is it really a ‘security vs privacy’ dichotomy? Social and political philosophy. Bruce Schneier 05.18.06 The most common retort against privacy advocates — by those in favor of ID checks, cameras, databases, data mining and … Continue reading
Immoral advances: Is science out of control?
How do we place a moral value on science? What issues are here and on the horizon that will test our moral boundaries through the advancement of science? Philosophy of science, ethics, moral philosophy. From New Scientist magazine. Immoral advances: … Continue reading
Six ‘Uniquely Human’ Characteristics Now Found in Animals
New Scientist magazine review of six traits once thought unique to humans and now found in other animals. Philosophy of human nature, mind. 17:11 22 May 2008 NewScientist.com news service Kate Douglas To accompany the article So you think humans are … Continue reading
Yes Prime Minister – Survey Design
Brilliant clip of how to design a survey to get the result you want. Bias, social, critical thinking. Yes Minister Survey (wmv)
Alternative Medicine – Sincerity no substitute for evidence
HOW many readers have gone to dinner parties and listened to otherwise intelligent people assert that alternative medicine can be just as effective as mainstream, scientific medicine? Generally, the argument is that alternative medicine, in all its many forms, is … Continue reading
