A few clips of Professor Christopher Janaway discussing the thought of Arthur Schopenhauer. This comes from an episode of the Essay on Wagner’s Philosophers. I thought it provided a good overview of Schopenhauer’s general philosophy
On the 50th Anniversary of his death, many of MLK’s economic and radical messages are written out of history.
When Stephen Hawking passed away, some Christians jumped at the chance to slam the world-famous cosmologist for his outspoken atheism.
I wonder how they’d feel after learning that, as his last act on this Earth, he fed 50 homeless people in a church and donated money to feed even more.
Hawking and his family arranged for dozens of homeless people to be fed during his funeral at the Wesley Methodist Church in Cambridge. The three-course meal included a note that said it was a “gift from Stephen.”
The scientist’s daughter Lucy Hawking contacted the charity, Food Cycle Cambridge, to tell them the family planned to make a donation so that people would be sitting down for a “hot meal on Stephen” while the funeral took place, the charity said.
A Food Cycle spokeswoman said the donation would, in fact, go towards far more meals than the 50 provided on the day, but she would not disclose how much cash was donated.
…
“The guests on Saturday were so surprised and touched by the family’s gesture and raised a glass to Stephen before tucking into lunch.”
That’s right, religious fundamentalists eager to use the brilliant theoretical physicist’s death to promote your own beliefs: Hawking’s legacy will include acts of kindness and respect, regardless of religious or spiritual differences, and charity to those who are less fortunate. It almost sounds like something a certain Middle Eastern carpenter might do.
Hawking took the high road on the way out of this world. It’s too bad his critics are stuck in the gutter.
So next time you are in a tough ethical quandary, just ask yourself: What would Hawking Do?
h/t: Friendly Atheist
Dennis Prager uses the story of King David as a source of wisdom.
A history teacher who was videotaped telling his students that only dumb people join the U.S. military has been fired by the suburban Southern California school district where he has taught for more than 15 years. El Rancho Unified School District President Aurora R. Villon announced Gregory Salcido’s dismissal at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. She said he would remain on unpaid administrative leave pending any appeal he might make to state officials. In January Salcido upbraided a 17-year-old student for wearing a Marines sweatshirt to his class at El Rancho High School, telling him members of the U.S. military are “the lowest of our low.”
Always Question Authority 