Eccentricity 12 Mar 2009 In this age the mere example of non-conformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service. Precisely because the tyranny of opinion is such as to make eccentricity a reproach, it is desirable, in order to break through that tyranny, that people should be eccentric. Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and moral courage which it contained. That so few now dare to be eccentric, marks the chief danger of the time. John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, chapter 3. Hat tip to Emma Pursey Social dominance
Religion Is Christianity healthy? 22 Aug 200818 Sep 2017 In my Fun with Christians and worldviews piece, I made a passing comment: Some views are just not amenable to a good life. I think Christianity is one, and not because I have some well-worked alternative I’d like to sell you, but because I can learn from the past and… Read More
Politics You can’t have proper human relationships unless you are a Christian 4 Apr 201018 Sep 2017 … according to Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney, who seems to think that prior to Jesus nobody ever had a decent human relationship. A secular society is right out, brother. The idea that secularism suggests that people might form relationships without the scaffolding of the church seems to worry him… Read More
Freedom The Abstract and the Concrete, or, the Road to Fascism 9 Apr 20179 Apr 2017 I was thinking about the way in which the anti-abortionists justify their views. I have always said that “Pro-Life” is a misnomer. Instead of being pro-life, they are pro-potential life. In order to protect potential lives, they ignore the needs and rights of those who have actual life – the women who cannot… Read More
Not really. The first self-help book was published (coincidentally by the same publisher of the Origin) in that year, causing untold misery to millions.
Now there’s a philosophy to live by. Agreed! Starting tomorrow, I’m going to start calling everyone Clive, insist that at dinner everyone must circle the table three times before eating and own at least two hats that involve the themes “Turks” and “feathers”.
Now there’s a philosophy to live by. Agreed! Starting tomorrow, I’m going to start calling everyone Clive, insist that at dinner everyone must circle the table three times before eating and own at least two hats that involve the themes “Turks” and “feathers”.
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”