This is the opening post in a series on the challenge of marginal cases and several prominent responses to that challenge. Most people believe that human beings have full moral significance, whereas nonhuman animals have only partial moral significance.  For example, most people believe that the use of nonhuman animals in vivisection may be morally justified, provided the practice … Continue reading The Challenge of Marginal Cases →

If you're ever seen these, you'll probably remember them:   They're a pretty sizable installation in the southwest corner of Grant Park - near Michigan and Roosevelt, a few steps away from the Museum Campus Metra Electric stop, and a little longer walk from the Field Museum and Soldier Field. The question I've always had … Continue reading Grant Park Photo Diary – Those Weird Headless Metal Statues →

The philosopher Fred Dretske died the other day.  I had never read his work, but I had heard of him, of course, as he was one of the most prominent American analytic philosophers of the past half century.  Hearing of his death, I thought I would quickly look into the nature of his work, in … Continue reading A Puzzle →

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen Have you noticed how, recently, a lot of people in many countries take to the streets as soon as they got some problem with the government (or someone else)? Examples: Turkey, Brazil, Egypt, the Zimmerman case. What I'm not so sure about is whether these people actually understand the situation they … Continue reading culture of protest →

South of Balbo St. (700S) and north of about were 11th St. would run if it extended across Michigan Ave. (1100E the park's western boundary), and bounded on the east by the Metra track tunnel again is an expanse of park nicely manicured but completely lacking in anywhere to sit, except (sort of) for the … Continue reading Grant Park Photo Diary – Logan Memorial statue area →

I thought I'd take a break from more highfalutin topics and start a little series about Grant Park, focusing on its statues and reading-friendly spots.  I've got about a month before school starts up again, and relatively little to do.  I live about 1/4 of a mile from the start of the park.  Walking around … Continue reading Grant Park Photo Diary →

Tonight I caught ESPN's "30 for 30" on Bo Jackson: You Don't Know Bo. It was very good, as are all the 30 for 30 specials I've seen.  Anyway, I was struck by a comment halfway though about how if Bo Jackson had burst upon the scene 10-15 years later, everyone would have thought that … Continue reading God, Steroids, and Bo Jackson →