The Meaning of Life

I have always been a bit startled because philosophers tend not to address this subject, even though it is often reflection upon this topic that draws people into philosophy to begin with.

It is also a notable subject because it is one of the few philosophical topics for which the Wikipedia entry is arguably more robust than the SEP entry. See for yourself:

Wikipedia entry on "The Meaning of Life"

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the Meaning of Life

A thought question, prompted by Prof. Vaida:
Since we do not know the Meaning of Life, does this mean that all of our actions are irrational?

Anselm's Ontological Argument

(This came up in discussion, and I thought it would be good to have a copy on-hand. The translation is from St. Anselm College - http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/anselm.htm - if you can trust anyone to get it right, probably them is the way to go).

From the Proslogium

Therefore, Lord, who grant understanding to faith, grant me that, in so far as you know it beneficial, I understand that you are as we believe and you are that which we believe. Now we believe that you are something than which nothing greater can be imagined.

Then is there no such nature, since the fool has said in his heart: God is not? But certainly this same fool, when he hears this very thing that I am saying - something than which nothing greater can be imagined - understands what he hears; and what he understands is in his understanding, even if he does not understand that it is. For it is one thing for a thing to be in the understanding and another to understand that a thing is.

For when a painter imagines beforehand what he is going to make, he has in his undertanding what he has not yet made but he does not yet understand that it is. But when he has already painted it, he both has in his understanding what he has already painted and understands that it is.
Therefore even the fool is bound to agree that there is at least in the understanding something than which nothing greater can be imagined, because when he hears this he understands it, and whatever is understood is in the understanding.

And certainly that than which a greater cannot be imagined cannot be in the understanding alone. For if it is at least in the understanding alone, it can be imagined to be in reality too, which is greater. Therefore if that than which a greater cannot be imagined is in the understanding alone, that very thing than which a greater cannot be imagined is something than which a greater can be imagined. But certainly this cannot be. There exists, therefore, beyond doubt something than which a greater cannot be imagined, both in the understanding and in reality.

[A basic analysis from Princeton can be found here.]

Topics List

This is the topics list of subjects we'd like to discuss over the course of the year. Feel free to update it as you come up with topics about which you are curious or passionate. I will also include the dates that we cover the particular topics, as well as our discussion leaders.

Existence of God
Number Theory (4.21.08 - Jacob)
Philosophy of Mathematics
Moral Intuitionism
Utilitarianism
Ultimate Justification in Ethics

How to Email Directly to the Blog

There is a useful feature whereby we can send emails simultaneously to the list and the blog. This can be particularly convenient if, say, you just discovered an article or video that you'd like to share with the group, but would also like to post on the blog for further discussion.

First, from your dashboard, click on "Settings."
Then, click on "Email" from the links at the top.
Next, enter something for your "Mail-to-Blogger Address." For me, I use shadowzero359.sophia[at]blogger.com .

After that, any time you want to both inform the group about a great article AND post it on the blog for future reference, send your email to the members of the group and your mail-to-blogger address.

Yay technology!

A Welcome Message

Dear Aspiring Philosopher,

If you've ever wanted a supportive and encouraging group with which to share your recent philosophical insights or simply a friendly group with whom to explore your philosophical interests, this is the entity that we aim to create with the "Order of Sophia" (title may change).

"Sophia" is the Greek word for "wisdom," and it is, in my mind, the pursuit of this ideal that unites our membership.

Prof. Ekstrom inspired me to start our discussion group as a remedy to the current problem of relative philosophical isolation-- professional philosophers today do their work huddled in their caves, emerging after weeks or months of working on a paper only to have it eviscerated by complete strangers who care not about their careful work. We thought it would be beneficial to have a group where people with a shared interest in philosophy could gather and help each other progress in their philosophical development.

To that end, we've created this blog, wherein we can keep in touch over the summer, discuss elaborate issues (like the existence of God), and share interesting articles and papers that we've written.

I hope we will make good use of this and other tools as we continue on our respective philosophical journeys.


Sincerely,
-Long