Mr. -Bov and the Question of Art

[Since I’ve decided Frank’s book would be perhaps four volumes instead of five if Russian names weren’t so long, from now on, Dostoevsky is going to be D. Nonetheless this entry of mine is quite long – I hope you’ll indulge me. I just had one of those experiences where a book speaks to you … Continue reading Mr. -Bov and the Question of Art →

Inception

Coercion is likely to be more effective when the victim doesn't realize he is being coerced. This is one of the main themes in Christopher Nolan's new movie, Inception, which I saw Monday night with high expectations. In Nolan's movie, characters are susceptible to an exotic form of mind-control in which agents infiltrate their dreams … Continue reading Inception →

The Village of Stepanchikovo

The Village of Stepanchikovo is the last novel Dostoevsky wrote before completing his military service and returning to St. Petersburg. It's also the first novel that was, to me at least, recognizable Dostoevkyian in the expected sense that the later novels are - it's got a vast array of characters, perhaps even too many, and … Continue reading The Village of Stepanchikovo →

Wealthy Society out of Balance?

I thought I ought to follow the example of my fellow original positioners and post from my summer reading list. Today's reading was John K. Galbraith's The Affluent Society (1958). Galbraith begins his famous chapter on the "Theory of Social Balance" with the following claim: "The final problem of the productive society is what it … Continue reading Wealthy Society out of Balance? →

Uncle’s Dream (and the Kant issue resolved!)

[Resuming the Dostoevsky-Frank reading project after a 14 day hiatus] After Dostoevsky finished his Siberian prison term, he was transferred into the military, and lived a life that was at least nominally more free than that while in actual captivity. He was to serve for as long as the Czar desired. He tried to get himself … Continue reading Uncle’s Dream (and the Kant issue resolved!) →

Rawls [7], “Distributive Justice,” (1967)

After a brief segue into the topic of legal obligation, Rawls is back to elaborating on his conception of justice as fairness. In "Distributive Justice" he has three aims: 1) Explain why the just society should not be structured by utilitarian principles; 2) Clarify the Difference Principle--what, exactly, it means to require that inequalities work … Continue reading Rawls [7], “Distributive Justice,” (1967) →

An Unjust Law?

The French government is banning burqas. Story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/world/europe/14burqa.html Reasons President Sarkozy: "The burqa is not welcome in France because it is contrary to our values and contrary to the ideals we have of a woman’s dignity." I suspect I share Le Prez's ideals, but I share the concern expressed by the sole dissenter in … Continue reading An Unjust Law? →

Rawls [6], “Legal Obligation and the Duty of Fair Play,” (1964)

Suppose we are legal residents of Arizona, and a law has recently been passed which demands of all legal residents that they report suspected illegal immigrants to the local authorities. (Never mind for the moment how such a law could possibly be enforced.) Suppose furthermore that I think this law is unjust, and, additionally, I … Continue reading Rawls [6], “Legal Obligation and the Duty of Fair Play,” (1964) →

short story

here is a very short story by Russian writer Daniil Kharms: There lived a redheaded man who had no eyes or ears. He didn’t have hair either, so he was called a redhead arbitrarily. He couldn’t talk because he had no mouth. He had no nose either. He didn’t even have arms or legs. He … Continue reading short story →

Welcome, Juan!

Let's welcome Juan to Original Positions. Juan is a Romanian, Philosopher, Cinephile, and All-Around-Interesting-Guy. I'm looking forward to your contributions, Juan!