Journeys with Tim

Here's the schedule.

1. Write Final exam on Wednesday
2. Fly to L.A. Thursday.
3. Saturday, see Return of the King, attend wedding, attend another party that night.
4. Sunday - Christmas: shop like a madman.

See ya soon!

John Searle

Preparing for a metaphysics final and came across a few priceless lines from John Searle, who was here a few months back. This is in his Rediscovery of the Mind.

"The most striking feature is how much of mainstream philosophy of mind of the past fifty years seems obviously false. I believe there is no other area of contemporary analytic philosophy where so much is said that is so implausible."

"If we were to think of the philosophy of mind over the past fifty years as a single individual, we would say of that person that he is a compulsive neurotic and his neurosis takes the form of repeating the same pattern of behavior over and over."

"Acceptance of the currents views is motivated not so much by an independent conviction of their truth as by a terror of what are apparently the only alternatives. That is, the choice we are tacitly presented with is between a 'scientific' approach...or some other traditional religious conception of the mind."

more rules

More rules.

Rule No. 487: A man over 30 should not own a futon or a beanbag chair.

Rule No. 480: If there is danger involved, it is fun.

Rule No. 271: No man can own a longhaired cat and still command respect.

Rule No. 34: People will compliment you on the cheap artwork you purchased at IKEA, but it will feel hollow.

reading update

Here’s the latest reading list:

Started All Hallows Eve after a friend recommended it. It’s pretty interesting given one of the main characters is dead. Williams was an “Inking”, a group of friends including Lewis and Tolkien, so I expect the book will have wonderful Christian insights.

Self explanatory – covers what the government’s doing to get the bad guys. Most of it is interesting, but the history I skip.

The RAND corporation recently gave a Pentagon briefing arguing that the Saudis are our enemies. This book looks at the evidence. Sobering.

I’ll let you know when I pick my Christmas break reading list, but I’m looking for some serious metaphysics. For a paper I read parts of Haecceity, which is a possibility. We’ll see. I will also read Practice of the Presence of God, and the lastest Harry Potter #5.

...

Ran into this cartoon today. From my four walls .

the rules

A friend sent me this wonderful little book that every man must read. Yes, must.

Rule No. 104: The road to hell is not paved with good intentions. The road to hell is paved with light-jazz cd's, herbal teas, John Tesh specials and low-fat cheese.

Rule No 96: The dumber the man, the louder he talks.

Rule No. 157: No straws.

Rule No. 33: When it comes to luggage, men don't pull.

More later.

Passion web site

The Passion Of The Christ official web site is up with a new trailer, check it out.

I know you'll never understand.

Want another story from Wittgenstein's Poker?

Wittgenstein had returned to Cambrigde in 1929 and submitted his book, Tractatus, as his doctoral dissertation. During the oral defense, Wittgenstein was questioned by his two professors, Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore, at the end of which Wittgenstein stood up, slapped his examiners on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I know you'll never understand it."

Of course my dissertation will be just as brilliant, so I'll do the same with my professors!

Christmas moments

The semester is winding down and it's time to think about celebrating Christmas. What do you think of when you think of Christmas? Me? Christmas must include baked goods, especially those sugar cookies with the Christmas frosting, a drive through a Christmas-lighted neighborhood, a midnight candled-light service, the smell of a real Christmas tree, Christmas carols....

And you?

a peek into the future

Tomorrow and the next day two students from the philosophy department are defending their dissertations. I plan on going to both to get an idea of what they're like. I hear the professors are brutal in their questions, but still pass the students. I guess by the time the dissertation is approved for an oral defense, it's already been accepted.

Should be fun. What's not fun is the colder weather the next few days. Where did I put my turtleneck?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has passed, but I'm thankful for...

...Christmas music
...snow
...climate control
...good friends
...french toast
...full moons
...the smell of old books
...Mexican food.