Author Archives: David Hume

Is has utility toward ought

Four years ago, Will Wilkinson, stated: … So, I will powerfully counter-assert: a theory of human nature is NOT supposed to be normative. Take that Richard Rorty! A theory of human nature, or at least a theory of homo sapiens … Continue reading

Posted in science | Tagged | 13 Comments

What’s the matter with the Right?

Over at The American Scene, Reihan Salam asks, IS SOCIAL CONSERVATISM THE PROBLEM?: … I doubt that Frum fears a Republican party composed in large part of devout religious believers — rather, I think he’s worried about the perception that … Continue reading

Posted in philosophy | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Why Secular?

I want to make something clear, again, so that it doesn’t crop up on the comments over & over: the point of this website (for me) is not to argue for the abolition of all religious sentiment.  Rather, it is … Continue reading

Posted in Odds & Ends, politics | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Libertarians & the Secular Right

Over at Volokh Conspiracy Ilya Somin points to this weblog, and notes: Although one of the four contributors (Olson) is more libertarian than conservative, the main focus of the blog seems to be on the latter. After all, few doubt … Continue reading

Posted in culture, philosophy | Tagged | 14 Comments

This “Hume” on That Hume

I feel somewhat strange posting this, but I just want everyone to know: David Hume is not my Ayn Rand!  I only say this because several people seem to be under the impression that I agree with all of David … Continue reading

Posted in Administration | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Is the Secular Right an oxymoron?

A comment: I wonder what the writer’s here have to say about my contention in the TAC thread that the idea of a secular right is virtually an oxymoron. Modern rationalistic secularism is clearly a product of the left. (Think … Continue reading

Posted in culture | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Science & progress

Some have left comments (which I have deleted) to the effect of “scientists once accepted X, but now accept -X, therefore why should one put stock in acceptance of evolutionary theory?” This is obviously a complicated issue, and there is … Continue reading

Posted in philosophy | Tagged | 9 Comments

Who is scientistically inclined?

A comment below states: I don’t think that your ranking of appropriate degrees of skepticism really has much to do with conservative politics, however. In fact, the one object of faith that is most common among those skeptical of religion … Continue reading

Posted in data | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Religion & nihilism

Does religion encourage nihilism? & Belief in God and Nihilism.

Posted in data | Tagged | 13 Comments

On the varieties of prediction

In some of the comments below I engaged in a discussion about the power of prediction, the necessity of skepticism, and so on.  In the format of a weblog the full overgrown shape of one’s thoughts can be somewhat muddled. … Continue reading

Posted in culture | Tagged | 13 Comments