Philosophy
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
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Back in April 2013 I had another visit from our neighbourhood Jehovah's Witnesses, a pretty young woman and her husband, recently married. Like Daniel (mentioned elsewhere on this website) before them, they had brought copies of The Watchtower and Awake; which I agreed to read if they were prepared to read my paper: The Prospect of Eternal Life.
I keep a couple of copies of The Prospect of Eternal Life for just such occasions and have also given a copy to the local Anglican minister and to various other active proselytisers in the area; with similar conditions. Of course I know it will not change their position but I do like to have the debate and amazingly so do they; it beats the usual reception they get; and they get some practice in trying to convert un-believers.
When the couple asked my position I quickly summarised that in The Prospect of Eternal Life:
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
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On Wednesday 6th June, 2012 in Eastern Australia and New Zealand (as well Pacific islands across to Alaska) Venus was seen to pass between the Earth and the Sun; appearing as a small circular spot crossing the sun’s disc; for around six and a half hours.
This is a very rare astronomical event that has been the cause of great change to our world.
This is not because, as the astrologers would have it, that human events are governed or predicted by the disposition of the stars or planets. It is because the event has served to significantly advance scientific knowledge and our understanding of the Universe.
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
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Death is one of the great themes of existence that interests almost everyone but about which many people avoid discussion. It is also discussed in my essay to my children: The Meaning of Life on this website; written more than ten years ago; where I touch on personal issues not included below; such as risk taking and the option of suicide.
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
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Today, with good cause, Adolf Hitler is the personification of evil.
Yet without him my parents may never have married and I certainly would not have been conceived in a hospital where my father was recovering from war injuries.
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- Written by: Richard_McKie
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2011 marks 300 years since the birth of the great David Hume. He was perhaps the greatest philosopher ever to write in the English language and on these grounds the ABC recently devoted four programs of The Philosopher’s Zone to his life and work. You will find several references to him if you search for his name on this website.