My blog

This is a link to my personal blog: http://berto-meister.blogspot.com/ in case you guys are interested in learning all kinds of random new things and/or sporadically amusing yourselves.

The blog is made up primarily of video files that I find online, especially some very good documentaries and presentations by world-leading intellectuals on everything ranging from philosophy, to science, to economics, to religion, to history, etc. In between the more sophisticated entries I do make it a point to regularly include humorous stuff because life just isn't quite the same without some good laughter.

Not much on politics, I'm afraid, since I'm more interested in educating and communicating ideas than with debating and fighting. My hope is that the material I post on this blog can matter today just as much as it could in ten years or twenty, and although political controversies are certainly important, I don't want to clog the historical archives with stuff to which future visitors could not relate.

If you find it worth your while, you can always subscribe to receive daily e-mails whenever new entries are posted. Feel free to share with others as well.

I don't know why I forgot to mention it, but it's been a great pleasure introducing you to some of the ideas that make moral philosophy such an interesting and important discipline. Although we were a rather small group, I really enjoyed the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs that could amiably be discussed and analyzed. I hope you guys keep in touch; you know how to find me, and if you ever come across something you think I might find interesting, I'd be very grateful if you could share that with me.

Bye!
Berto

Abortion

Since our heated debate about abortion last week, I thought I'd show you guys how professional philosophers debate ethical and philosophical issues. In the audio below, Don Marquis presents his objections against Peter Singer's views on abortion and infanticide (the latter favors these two under certain conditions), and argues that abortion is morally wrong.

Notice, first of all, that both philosophers explain what positions they have in common, and how they acknowledge the correct points their opponents make. This is critical: you have to assume some sort of common ground if you are to convince someone your point is correct, and you have to understand exactly what it is that you are arguing against.

Notice also how once they have correctly stated their opponent's arguments, they either find fault with that logic (which doesn't happen very often, since these guys are pretty smart), or they show how those arguments actually entail some logical consequences that presumably no one (including its proponent) would accept as true.

You can decide for yourself who makes the best arguments...
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I loved the clip on gay marriage - the guy is wonderfully sarcastic - but he is saying what all people for gay marriage are thinking, 2 people who just want to commit themselves to each other should be allowed to get married no matter what their sexual preference is!

Gay Marriage

I stumbled upon this online, and thought you guys might enjoy this, especially Maureen:

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Social Contract

This paper might help you understand Rawls a little bit better.

Howard Roark

This scene is from the film The Fountainhead, written by Ayn Rand. The reason I'm posting it here is that most of this speech reflects some Nietzschean ideals (except for the last minute), and it presents a very interesting contrast between traditional systems of morality with the morality of individuality and creative powers.

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I like Peter Singer. I can agree with his views and openness about the topics of decision in this interview. I think that he was saying that although were are not perfect and have different views that we can and should do more to help in ending all the suffering that occurs in the world and if we have to end a life (by choice) let it be done peacefully and humanely. In doing this the consequences of our action would be a benefit. I had a hard time about the sex with animals and a child, I can't see a benefit to any child who is sexually used by an adult for me that is just abuse.

Peter Singer

Here is an interview of Australian utilitarianist philosopher Peter Singer to give you a better idea as to who he is, what his views are, and how he defends them.

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Nietzsche documentary

This might help you understand Nietzsche's background a bit better. It's not exactly the best interpretation of his life and philosophy (and the relationship between the two), but it should give you some ideas that might clarify the reading.

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I have watch the West Wing, it's a good show. I'm sorry I missed that one esp. taking this course, I would have like to see the whole show to see what lead up to that scene, quotes with questions like that do leave a person speechless.

He had some very interesting questions and I would like to know what the philosophers would have to say about them. I know it was just a TV show, but the so called Dr. had no answers for him.