Author Archives: David Hume

Secular & right-wing edition of bloggingheads.tv?

Well, depends on how you define secular. I interviewed Greg Cochran on bloggingheads.tv recently, talking about evolution, etc.  I think this might be the only way that you could get two registered Republicans on that show; have them talk only … Continue reading

Posted in culture | Tagged , | 26 Comments

On objective ends

Jim Kalb offers a criticism of the general mission statement of this weblog, Is “the secular” so clear?: My own view, which my book goes into at length, is that by itself rational empiricism gives you desire and technique as … Continue reading

Posted in philosophy, politics | Tagged , , | 51 Comments

Suicide bombings, God & religion

I have a post here @ ScienceBlogs. Remember, correlation need not be transitive….

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Pagans & Christians

In the late 4th century the Roman Empire was diverting its state subsidies from the customary pagan cults to the Christian church.  At the same time the public space was evolving from one where tokens of pagan piety were being … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , | 29 Comments

Evolution & morality

The American Scene points me to two Will Wilkinson posts where he attempts to move beyond vulgar evolutionary psychology in adducing proper morality. I learn toward the sentiment. The naturalistic fallacy is less fallacious when one conceptualizes human moral intuitions … Continue reading

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Choice & authority

What Conservatism Should Look Like by Andrew J. Bacevich has elicited a massive retaliation on the part of Damon Linker. I tend to lean toward Bacevich myself, though your mileage may vary. I believe that for all of Linker’s coherent … Continue reading

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Judith Rich Harris & nurture & nature

Since Bradlaugh & Heather have mentioned Judith Rich Harris, I would recommend both of her books, The Nurture Assumption & No Two Alike to any reader who wishes be introduced to behavior genetics.   You can also check out my interview … Continue reading

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The New York Times‘ second conservative?

Check out the speculation in The New Republic‘s The Plank. Page down to the to see who David Frum nominates.

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Possibilities without illusions

I just noticed that David Kirkpatrick at NewMajority.com noted that he read Secular Right. Some people have wondered what this website is about in positive political terms. To some extent I’m wondering about what NewMajority.com is about aside from acknowledging … Continue reading

Posted in philosophy, politics | Tagged , | 16 Comments

Jewish Geocentrism

Check out this post, Judaism and Geocentrism, from Joshua Zelinksy: Most of the active Jewish geocentrists are Lubavitchers. In contrast to the Christian geocentrists who have as their main impetus for geocentrism various Biblical verses, the Jewish geocentrists seem to … Continue reading

Posted in science | Tagged | 3 Comments