Category Archives: Media Articles, Cartoons

Letters to the editor, cartoons, opinion pieces that demonstrate some point of philosophy or critical thinking (a good place for fallacies of reasoning).

Dilbert Confirmation Bias

Fallacies of reasoning confirmation bias.

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Molyneux’s problem solved?

In 1688, an Irish polymath named William Molyneux wrote the English philosopher John Locke a letter in which he posed a vexing question: Could a blind person, upon suddenly gaining the ability to see, recognize an object by sight that … Continue reading

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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

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Numbers and Language

Do we need language to understand the basics of numbers? Mind, Science. TOK. Numbers and Language (pdf)

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Indian High Court Rules Astrology is a Science

MUMBAI: Astrology has been debunked by most world scientists including India’s renowned physicist Prof. Yash Pal. However, it is “science” in India. Philosophy of religion, philosophy of science,TOK, appeal to tradition, logical fallacies, reasoning. Astrology is a science_ Bombay HC … Continue reading

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Evolution comic

One of the best and most easily understood introductions to evolution around. Philosophy of science. Evolution comic (pdf)

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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)

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More Dilbert magic – Argumentation

Deductive logic, argument, argumentation.

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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)

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To think critically means to agree with me! Clarity makes people angry…

Hysterical Dilbert cartoon. Critical thinking, argument, argumentation.

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The Truth Wears Off

Is there something wrong with the scientific method? Philosophy of science. From the New Yorker. The Truth Wears Off (pdf)

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The web means the end of forgetting – an essay on forgetting, re-invention and personal identity in the age of Facebook

Author: Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Washington University An essay about the difficulty of forgetting & re-invention in the age of the Internet, Facebook, etc. Excerpt: We’ve known for years that the Web allows for unprecedented voyeurism, exhibitionism … Continue reading

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Straw man fallacy from Dilbert

Another great example of the genre. Point at issue, straw man, fallacies of reasoning.

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Dilbert- Collection of logical fallacies

Confirmation bias, bad analogy analogies, etc.

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Burka ban a headache for a liberal society

Q: Is it illiberal for governments to ban practices judged to be illiberal, as the French government is doing with its intended ban on the burka? AskThePhilosopher 01May2010 Burka ban a headache for a liberal society (docx) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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Pride in the past isn’t necessarily a lost cause

Q: Is it disloyal to criticise aspects of Anzac Day because you believe it involves myth and ritualised militarism? AskThePhilosopher 24Apr2010 Pride in the past isnt necessarily a lost cause (docx) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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Let’s not forget we’re the land of the fair go

Q: If we believe that nation-states should be sovereign, what role should notions of universal human rights play in refugee policies? AskThePhilosopher 17Apr2010 Land of the fair go (docx) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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The quest for Renassaince Man

Q: What is the difference between being a renaissance man and a dilettante? AskThePhilosopher 10Apr2010 The quest for Renaissance man (docx) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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When media become dispensers of justice

Q: In which circumstances can our notions of justice accommodate trials by media? Ask The Philosopher 03Apr2010 When media become dispensers of justice (docx) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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Continental bid to remove veil in the face of Islamic extremism

Belgian MPs are set to pass a law to ban the burka & nikab (full body and full face coverings). Women who defy the ban will be fined or jailed. Suggested discussion topics: – What are the different ‘-isms’ at … Continue reading

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