Lucy, our cat, was a weakling. She was the runt of her Devon Rex litter and Devons are on the runty side to begin with. Plus she had suffered an allergic reaction to a vaccine as a kitten. This left her with a chronic nasal condition. She was a snuffller. When we bought her sister Evie, the breeder asked us to take Lucy as […]
Our success as a species? How can we judge?
Introduction Philosophers have considered the nature of existence (metaphysics), whether god exists (religious philosophy), how we can know things (epistemology), how we can lead a good, just or happy life (moral philosophy or ethics) and how societies can best be organised (political philosophy). Scientists, biologists in particular, have considered how species, including our own, are […]
Harari- History and Happiness
Happiness in the study of History In chapter 19 of his book, ‘Sapiens’, Harari examines happiness. He asks whether the transformation of human society by the industrial and scientific revolutions over the last 500 years, and the commensurate increases in wealth, have increased human happiness. He says that historians have researched the history of politics, society, […]
Human enhancement technology and the horrible challenges to equality that lie ahead
Throughout history the upper classes have always claimed to be entitled to their wealth on the basis of their claim that they are smarter, stronger and better than the lower classes. These claims were, and remain, largely delusions. The advantages of the upper classes are socio-political not “biological”. But with new scientific developments, the pretensions of the privileged threaten […]
Harari- Part 3, Nazi Humanists?
According to Harari Nazi ideology was humanist- which is not, of course, to say that it was “humane” or humanitarian. Harari says that humanism is constituted by any ideology which holds that Homo Sapiens have a unique and sacred nature different from all other animals and that this unique nature is the most important thing in […]