"Free Will" vs. "Determinism" What does it mean to have "solved" a philosophical problem? This is, in itself, a philosophical problem. I don't feel comfortable saying I've solved any philosophical problems, but what if I propose a notion of having "minimally solved" a problem - that is, not necessary coming up with the right answer, let alone an answer that will end the debate for everyone, but coming up with the general shape or framework (perhaps missing some important specifics) of an answer that satisfies me , at least to the point where the problem doesn't endlessly torture me and keep me up at night? If, by "solved," we mean "minimally solved," then I think I have solved the problem that is usually called the debate between "free will" and "determinism". Not that my answer is particularly original. Actually, not I, but modern neuroscience solved this puzzle. And all I mean is tha...
CURTIS YARVIN IS A POSTMODERNIST "They Hate Us For Our Freedom" Since 2007, there has been a tiny, marginal movement on the internet, or several overlapping movements, started by a person named Curtis Yarvin, better known by his assumed name, "Mencius Moldbug." (I'll use that name; it's less obscure.) Spreading out from Silicon Valley, where it first became trendy, the movement(s) have been known by various names. Moldbug originally called his political philosophy "formalism" - at that time, he was advocating for the government being run in the style of a corporation - especially a Silicon Valley startup - with a powerful CEO. But that never caught on, and he abandoned it in favor of "neo-cameralism." But this turned out not to capture anyone's imagination either, and so other names appeared: the Dark Enlightenment, neo-monarchism, and most famous of all, the "NeoReactionary movement" - NRx for short. Are all thes...
I've made the point many times that the problem with Marxism is that it isn't scientific enough. How can we make Marxism more scientific? This is a huge project, and there are many directions to pursue in the process of attaining this extremely difficult goal. But there is one aspect of the problem that absolutely must come first: The first thing that Marxists must learn, if they are going to get anywhere at all, is this: Marxists must learn to live with other Marxists. Emo Philips joke: 'Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Don’t do it!” He said, “But nobody loves me.” I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said, “A Christian.” I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me, too! What denomination?” He said, “Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern...
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