Freedom's Philosopher Blogspot

"Schuyler's Brain" ...... Deep River Blues and Cannonball Rag .....

In recent months the mass media has replicated the meme "Black Lives Matter" into national prominance. In the United States, it initially went viral in light of televised police brutality against (mostly) black males. Many black leaders observe that sociopolitical reality suggests the "black lives do not matter." Thus the phrase "Black Lives Matter" has become increasingly popular among black activists and replicated by social media outlets. So what can a 69 year old, white, retired philosopher say about "Black Lives Matter?" In order to diagnose any "viral infection" (bodily or mental) we must be able to: 1. Identify the conditions that contributed to the emergence of that virus. 2. Measure it's level of toxicity. (mild/serious/fatal) 3. Measure the rate of contagion within and between various populations (old/young, male/female...

Back in 2009, Richard Brodie published a highly popular book: Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme . The over-riding theme was that "memes" (or ideas) evolve over time, based on the evolutionary principles of replication, variation, and selection. Over time, some "ideas" are progressive, and therefore, increase human happiness and/or survival, others are regressive and therefore, decrease human happiness and/or survival, and other ideas maintain the status quo. Viruses of the mind decrease individual and group survival. In all societies, authorities influence the viral status of ideas, especially: religious authorities, scientific authorities, and political authorities. Today, the emergence of the most contagious viruses of the mind are media-driven and exhibit variable degrees of "toxicity," and "contagion" among the most and "vulverable populations." Viruses of the mind emerge, spread, and/or suffer extinction within various...

http://freedomsphilosopher.blogspot.com/2020/

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic reminds us that the human body can be invaded by a variety of diseases. Covid-19 is caused by a virus that invades the human body. Its symptoms include increased body temperature, nasal congestion, and a sore throat. The severity of those symptoms range from mild to severe, or even fatal. The rate of contagion varies based on geographical location (neighborhood, city, state, nation, globe). Contagion also varies between racial groups (black, white, hispanic, and Asian communities);and between age-groups (fetuses, infants, children, adults, and the elderly). It may also vary based on gender (male, female, transgender) and/or sexual preference (heterosexual, homosexual); or socio-economic class (rich, poor, middle) severity of the symptoms and fatality rates also vary. The most serious widespread viral infections are described as epidemics or pandemics. Covid-19 is now a pandemic. In the United States, bodily viruses are diagnosed and treated by health ca...

Just Hierarchy: Why Social Hierarchies Matter in China and the Rest of the World By: Daniel A. Bell and Wang Pei The title of this excellent, well-organized, and well-written book clearly describes its content. It raises important questions concerning the nature of social hierarchies worldwide, but especially in China and Eastern philosophical traditions including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism; with occasional reference to Western philosophers and contexts. Taken together, the five chapters cover the most important contexts where social hierarchies shape human feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Chapters are as follows: Ch. 1. Just Hierarchy Between Intimates (e.g. friends, lovers, family); Ch. 2. Just Hierarchy Between Citizens (democracy v. meritocracy), Ch. 3. Just Hierarchy Between States (global order); Ch. 4.) Just Hierarchy Between Humans and Animals (food); and, Ch. 5. Just Hierarchy Between Humans and Machines (artificial intelligence). Despite this obvious breadth of an...