Debt is a very confusing topic, mixed up with economics, politics, morality, and religion, not to mention a wide spectrum of emotions from grief and apathy to anger. The book Debt by David Graeber delves into several of these aspects in his history, and opens for discussion a key question: What role and to what… Read more »
Posts Tagged: truth
Devil’s Advocate
Playing “devil’s advocate” is a lazy way to seem intelligent because it has guaranteed success. If there is likely no such thing as an objective truth (link), i.e., something that is true regardless of time and place, then any statement or thought will have exceptions.
Nature vs. Nurture
In the dichotomy of nature vs. nurture, nurture wins. Most characteristics that tend to be placed in the nature column in fact belong to nurture, such as much of the supposed gender divide. The sometimes held myth that women are not as good at mathematics, for example, is more a result of imposed gender roles… Read more »
Understanding and Labeling
It is a shame that in many cases, the level of debate in politics (either at the dinner table or between pundits) has not developed past kindergarten. Name-calling and pigeon-holing and high emotion leading to arguments and recrimination are far from uncommon.
Truth and Words
Objective truth is likely impossible. If one states something as an absolute truth (that will remain true into the indefinite future and was so back to the indeterminate past), doubt him. Wise words hold a truth, but it is only a relative one. It can be approached in the hard sciences and mathematics, but considering… Read more »
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