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
Evolution Social dominance hierarchies 1 Jul 200922 Jun 2018 Given the dynamic nature of dominance hierarchies among animals, it would be very unlikely to get a well formed control hierarchy in nature. Read More
Evolution The evolution of morality 21 Jun 2008 A conference is being held in Sydney soon about whether God is necessary for morality. I find that an almost incomprehensible question. Of course humans are moral without gods to back up their moral systems. They can’t help it. It’s what humans do. We are social apes that follow rules…. Read More
Evolution Did humans lose dominance? 13 May 2011 An extensive critical review has just been published online in advance of publication for Biology and Philosophy. The title is “Evolution and the loss of hierarchies: Dubreuil’s Human evolution and the origin of hierarchies: the state of nature” by Catherine Driscoll. I haven’t read Benoit Dubreuil’s book. It looks from… 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.”