To make a rare foray into popular culture, there is a genre of music, particular prevalent on YouTube, called "lo-fi hip hop". The significance of the term "lo-fi" is itself an interesting case study in the stipulated and conventional meaning of language. But, leaving that history to the side, we may say that today this …
Interest vs. Distraction
We are often pressed to describe our interests in life, whether on social media, dating websites, job applications, or in common conversation. All too often, however, I believe we have mistaken objects that in themselves function as distractions for genuine and fruitful interests. A distraction is something that takes you away from yourself. An interest …
On Memes and Machiavelli [15 Minute Insight]
A 15 Minute Insight on what memes affect socially and culturally, how, and why it's not necessarily a good thing--quite probably bad, in fact. ...a meme does nothing to persuade intellectually itself, but relies upon some conceptual framework already and otherwise established. It might alter that conceptual framework, but does so only incidentally, through an …
Continue reading "On Memes and Machiavelli [15 Minute Insight]"
Seminar: Thomistic Psychology – Action Theory
Beginning in the Fall of 2019, the Continuum Philosophical Insight Lyceum began a project of “Retrieving Thomistic Psychology” with an eight-week seminar that laid the foundations of an understanding that avoids the pitfalls of modern psychology. Now, in the Winter of 2020, a following “Thomistic Psychology - Action Theory” seminar will investigate the various operations …
Continue reading "Seminar: Thomistic Psychology – Action Theory"
Seminar: Introduction to Philosophical Thinking
What is philosophy? Is it something we study—as subject, like biology or literature? Is it something each of us has, individually—as in, “my personal philosophy”? Is it a relic of history? An intellectual curiosity? A means to impress at cocktail parties and on social media? Or perhaps—as this seminar will attempt to demonstrate—philosophy is a …
Continue reading "Seminar: Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
AI & Concept Formation [Part 3]
Today, on the hidden dangers of AI -- damaging our understanding, sense of purpose, and ability to connect with other human beings in a meaningful way; and more!
On Masculinity [15 Minute Insight]
The latest 15 Minute Insight, some quick thoughts of a philosophical understanding of masculinity, understood causally. The distinctive male physiology is, of course, very important. But there is a trap in thinking exclusively or primarily about masculinity from the biological perspective; namely, that it often leads to reductionism. That is, if we look for the …
Seminar: Semiotics
[CPI Seminars] [CPI Lyceum Platform] What is a sign? Though a seemingly simple question, and one which may receive a technically simple answer, attaining a clear understanding of signs is a task both very difficult and very important; so important, in fact, that the whole future of philosophy (and by extension, human knowledge in general) …