Arna book reading group

                                     image by pratyush The relationship between distributive justice and morality is fundamental to how we structure societies and understand ethical obligations. Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of resources, rights, and responsibilities, and its connection to morality lies in the underlying principles that guide what we consider "fair." Understanding Distributive Justice: Distributive justice focuses on how goods and burdens are distributed across a society. This includes tangible resources like wealth and income, as well as intangible ones like opportunities and rights. Various principles guide distributive justice, including equality (everyone receives an equal share.), equity  (distribution is based on individual needs or contributions.), need ( resources are allocated to those who need them most) and  merit (r...

My picture of a stairs representing path to enlightenment. The initial foundational levels represent the concept of Intuitionism. Moral intuitionism is a family of meta-ethical views that hold that at least some fundamental moral truths are knowable non-inferentially, often through a special faculty of "moral intuition." This doesn't mean that moral judgments are mere gut feelings or baseless whims. Instead, proponents argue that certain moral principles or judgments are self-evident upon reflection, much like mathematical axioms.One key aspect of intuitionism is its commitment to moral realism – the belief that objective moral truths exist independently of human minds. Intuitionists typically argue that these truths are discovered, not invented. When we intuitively grasp that, for instance, causing gratuitous suffering is wrong, we are not just expressing a personal preference but recognizing a feature of reality.Historical figures like G.E. Moore and W.D. Ro...

Our core personality remains unaltered even at a time when the mind is preparing the submit to the might of progress of life. I know of many and often found within myself the feeling of being challanged in spite of loosing relevance due to age. It remains an enquiry as to when and how shall I perceive the unchallengeable. The question of end-of-life belief in God is a profound and multifaceted one, touching upon the very core of human existence, mortality, and the search for meaning. It’s a space where philosophy, psychology, theology, and personal experience converge, creating a complex association of motivations and interpretations. Is it a desperate bargain struck in the face of oblivion, a reluctant submission to a long-held but doubted notion, or a genuine shift in perception born from the unique vantage point of impending death? For a stoic, particularly, this shift presents a compelling paradox. Is it part of a deal , the bargain or a desperate plea? One perspective...

The capacity for independent moral decision-making stands as a cornerstone of humanity, evidence to our ability to navigate the complexity of ethical dilemmas. Yet, this very capacity, when liberated from external constraints, societal norms, or divine decrees, can also unleash a metaphorical “devil,” a force that destabilizes established orders, challenges conventional wisdom, and potentially leads to moral chaos. This perpetuates an inherent tension between the necessity of independent moral judgment and the potential for its unbridled exercise to become a destructive force thereby demanding an  examination of its philosophical underpinnings, its manifestation in historical and contemporary contexts, and its implications for individual and societal well-being. The foundation of independent moral decision lies in the recognition of individual autonomy. Immanuel Kant's emphasis on the categorical imperative, the idea that moral actions should be guided by universalizabl...

My memories of Carl Sagan's documentaries of the late 80's come back when ever I see this cover page and the picture of a galaxy in a grid and the name of Broca on top. Carl Sagan's 1979 book, Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science, is a captivating collection of essays that showcase the renowned astrophysicist's unique ability to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and the general public. More than just a scientific exposition, the book is an affectionate communication to the process of scientific inquiry, highlighting its beauty, wonder, and profound implications for understanding humanity's place in the cosmos. The titular essay, "Broca's Brain," begins with Sagan's visit to the Musée de l'Homme in Paris, where he encounters the preserved brain of Paul Broca, the pioneering French physician and anthropologist. Broca is famous for his discovery that specific brain regions are responsible for distin...

Charles Edward Spearman (1863-1945) was a towering figure in the nascent field of psychology, particularly renowned for his groundbreaking work on intelligence.  A man of diverse intellectual pursuits, Spearman's initial inclinations leaned towards the humanities and classical studies before his fascination with psychophysics and the burgeoning science of the mind took hold. His deep understanding of mathematics, particularly statistics, proved instrumental in shaping his most significant contribution: the concept of a general intelligence factor, famously known as 'g'. This revolutionary idea, born from rigorous statistical analysis, fundamentally altered the way psychologists conceptualized and measured human cognitive abilities, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of psychological research and practice. Spearman's journey into the realm of psychology was somewhat unconventional. After a brief stint in the British Army, he pursued philosophical stud...

Ontological certitude, in its essence, pertains to the certainty we possess about the very nature of being and existence. It delves into the fundamental questions of what exists, what it means to exist, and the degree of confidence we can have in our claims about reality itself. Unlike logical certitude, which focuses on the validity of inferences within a system of thought, or moral certitude, which concerns our convictions about right and wrong, ontological certitude grapples with the foundation of reality. The pursuit of ontological certitude has been a driving force in philosophy, with thinkers across ages attempting to establish indubitable foundations for our understanding of the world. René Descartes' famous "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am") is a prime example of an attempt to reach an ontological certitude through radical doubt. By systematically questioning everything he could, Descartes aimed to arrive at an unshakeable truth ...

Tamaghna bought himself this book on his grandfather's 75th birthday. Black swan edition. The Visitor (page 348) The chapter "The Visitor" opens with a seemingly mundane piece of good news on Himmel Street: a new football has been found, bringing a moment of joy and normalcy to the children's lives. However, this fleeting happiness is quickly overshadowed by the increasingly pervasive shadow of the Nazi Party. Residents, including Liesel, Rudy, and Tommy, observe the unsettling sight of Nazi party members systematically inspecting every house, specifically scrutinizing basements for their suitability as air-raid shelters. This widespread inspection is a direct consequence of the recent bombing of Cologne, signaling the intensifying threat of war and its encroachment into the daily lives of ordinary citizens. The children watch as smoke rises from the inspecting party, and a palpable tension settles over the street. Liesel, questioning the purpose of this i...

Yes, modern human beings absolutely have myths, though they might not always be recognized as such. Joseph Campbell himself believed that while traditional, overarching mythologies have faded in modern society, the fundamental human need for myth remains, and new myths are constantly being created and reinterpreted. Here's why and how modern societies have myths, based on Campbell's ideas and broader mythological studies: 1. The Enduring Functions of Myth: Even if we don't have widely shared creation stories or heroic epics in the same way ancient cultures did, the four functions of myth that Campbell identified still need to be fulfilled: a. Metaphysical/Mystical: While traditional religion may have declined for some, people still seek to connect with something larger than themselves. This can manifest in scientific awe, spiritual experiences outside of organized religion, or even in the transcendent feeling of being part of a larger movement or cau...

Got it on Amazon 2019- I wanted to know Edelman's proposition. At that time , I was trying to understand the concept of Neural Darwinism. In "Second Nature: Brain Science and Human Knowledge," Nobel laureate Gerald M. Edelman presents a groundbreaking theory of knowledge rooted in the latest scientific understanding of the brain. He challenges traditional philosophical views by proposing that consciousness and knowledge are not fixed or pre-determined but rather emerge from the dynamic, self-organizing processes of the brain. Edelman's "Neural Darwinism" posits that brain development and learning involve a process of selection, similar to natural selection. Within a vast repertoire of neuronal connections, those that are most useful and adaptive to an individual's experiences are strengthened and selected, leading to the formation of unique neural maps and, ultimately, conscious experience. The book explores how this brain-based a...