Being Human

In response to: "Why do I want to celebrate the birthday of a man like Christopher Hitchens?" 12 days old
by jaskaw ^Pro

Thanks for your thoroughly considered and insightful response, that tells all about its author, but nothing about the subject matter..... more…

In response to: "Why do I want to celebrate the birthday of a man like Christopher Hitchens?" 12 days old
by John Malone [Visitor]

Pure and unadulterated nonsense!
more…

In response to: "Is freedom of choice an illusion?" 17 days old
by SocraticGadfly [Visitor]

Rather than "yes or no," the answer is "mu": http://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2012/01/mu-to-free-will.html more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 17 days old
by JD [Visitor]

I will pray for you! Just kidding.

Reading your blogs and Facebook entries has been part of my daily routine for about four years. Specifically, your posts were a catalyst for me to learning more about Epicurus and Marcus Aurelius.

Thank you for helping to enrich my life in the past and for years to come. I plan on continu more…

In response to: "Do we still need metaphysics? " 19 days old
by Daniel Seinsfrage [Visitor]

That's a rather narrow (Anglo-American-analytic) understanding of metaphysics you have there. more…

In response to: "Do we still need metaphysics? " 19 days old
by Päiviö Latvus [Visitor]

It depends, what you mean with metaphysics!
more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 24 days old
by Aurelian Carpathia [Visitor]

Greetings, Jaakko - I only just discovered your blog through Philippe van Nedervelde's Facebook timeline, where he recently shared your article comparing Jesus of Nazareth and Marcus Aurelius. I have been aware of Aurelius for years, and recently purchased Frank McLynn's "Marcus Aurelius: Warrior, Philosopher, Emperor." I share your admiration for more…

In response to: "Could everyone have a philosophy and even a religion of their own?" 25 days old
by Doc Ott [Visitor]

I agree. I was raised a Christian and then rejected organized religion when I turned 30, becoming a militant atheist. Recently I have studied Taoism and more recently Epicurus. I consider myself a follower of both.

I think many non-church going christians do this also, choosing to pick a handful of biblical morals to live by, and I am more…

In response to: "Was Jesus really a greater thinker than Marcus Aurelius? " 25 days old
by Friso [Visitor]

Did you know that stocism is the philosophy closest to Buddhism? I myself am a Buddhist too, and I find Marcus Aurelius to be of good help for my journey. more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 27 days old
by laila [Visitor]

Jaakko,
I am so happy that I had the opportunity (through Luc) to learn about you and your blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed the quotes that you've posted on the Karl Popper page and I have also greatly enjoyed perusing your articles. There is nothing more beautiful in this world than an honest thought and there is no better testament to Humani more…

In response to: "Can philosophy replace religions as a source of moral guidance?" 28 days old
by Päiviö Latvus [Visitor]

"During the past couple hundreds of years, the Christian European state churches have been wise enough to bow away always when new information has been discovered. However, at first also the western churches did all of their power in a try to stop the tidal rise of science and the rise of real, accurate information with it."

....first more…

In response to: "Could everyone have a philosophy and even a religion of their own?" 29 days old
by jaskaw ^Pro

Jesse, you are naturally entitled to your opinion, but I am entitled to say that it is a quite narrow and limited opinion. Take the trashes on your way out, please.... more…

In response to: "Could everyone have a philosophy and even a religion of their own?" 29 days old
by Jesse [Visitor]

Everything said on this website is ridiculous and I hear about it because I "liked" rationality on facebook. Epicureanism is a pretty limited mindset that is too inflexible to be anything close to a functional philosophy for an intelligent open-minded person. I don't understand the worship of the Greeks by some people. Philosophies are too inflexib more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Luc Castelein [Visitor]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/04/boston-bombings-lead-multiple-muslim-revenge-attacks/64392/#.UXIHuH0Knj0.facebook

This article shows what spreading hate and insults leads to... We are all human beings, for a short time on this planet, let us help each other and try to learn from each other. I do not see how spreadng hat more…

In response to: "Did the Soviet Communists copy the operating manuals of the Catholic Church?" 31 days old
by VLD [Visitor]

"It has been suggested many times by many authors that Bolsheviks did, in fact, copy many important things and features straight from the organizational structure and operating manuals of the Catholic church."

Could you please tell me which authors and which books are you referring to?
I'm really interested in this topic but some more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Luc Castelein [Visitor]

Nice to see the video, Jaakko...
more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Luc Castelein [Visitor]

Immanuel Kant was a genius. He believed in god. This proves that it is not necessary for people to believe in god ánd be stupid. People who believe in god are more often than not the victim of indoctrination. It is morally wrong to insult them for this or to discriminate against them. The "racism" (which should probably not be called racism, becaus more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Colby24 [Visitor]

I agree with you....however to measure ones correctness by the current standard and then act officious is hilarious. Men are fools, to me the bible is a large book of creation myths more correctly saved and conserved by a Hebraic tradition. As always everything is stupid when taken out of context....for instance ive never seen a smart mathematician more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Jesse [Visitor]

This article is kind of ridiculous. I was never religious either. Yes it is unfriendly to call theists stupid but that doesn't mean they aren't stupid. Ignorant and uninformed imply they just never heard the opposing arguments. Stupid is just the just cold hard truth because these people can't decipher between logic and nonsense. They may have part more…

In response to: "Why not all atheists are nice?" 31 days old
by Colby24 [Visitor]

Who are we as humans to determine the laws of rationality, by mere observation of senses and to declare ourselves deserved of some type of frivolous and ridiculous freedom. I have watched the world take place and it is both the lack of and the existence of religion working in conjunction, and not simply a movement by various facades. people are peo more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 33 days old
by Dave [Visitor]

Sad to see you go, but happy that you go with dignity and grace.
Anyway, you only had a lend of it, the time comes when you have to give it back, time to pour your few drops back into the ocean of the eternal.
You will shine on for some time in our thoughts and memories -until we too return.
Thanks for al the great articles; as a more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 33 days old
by JuanCarlos Dueñas [Visitor]

Hello Jaakko, finding this blog was one of the best things to happen to me during 2011.
All this time it's been a wonderful source of inspiration and insight, and it makes me sad to think we won't be able to enjoy another 10 years of greatness.

It's been a great pleasure reading it. And I'll be happy to share its contents in the more…

In response to: ""The wonderful joy of just being alive" or some thoughts on human life" 33 days old
by Dawit Tesfazghi Ghebrmedhin [Visitor]

I don't know & you don't either who,how,when and where we are at all ? as if it seems that we are in the middle of some where while we are in actuality in the middle of nowhere. more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 34 days old
by Dan Rau [Visitor]

I'm so sorry, and I really feel deeply sad, about hearing you leave ...! Really!

I was enjoying everything you ever wrote, you ever said or do.

First I heard of Christopher Hitchens (DEC 2011) "leaving" this world but still remaining in our secular, humanist, minds and "souls" (I hope you noticed my quotes).
After th more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 34 days old
by jaskaw ^Pro

What can I say but thanks to you Ronja. I do not know how much I time left, as my doctor would not want give me any kind of estimate. A extremely sad fact is that the my creative powers are almost gone already and it is extremely rarely that I have strength to write anything longer.
However, I am proud of the 434 little outbursts of thought more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 34 days old
by ScottV [Member]

Time well spent Jaakko, time well spent. I would have to say you have done more than try. Although I have never met you in person I consider you a great friend. Thank You for your voice. I'll happily give it breath when yours has ceased.

"That which dies does not drop out of the world. Here it remains; and here too, therefore, it chang more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 34 days old
by Ronja A-M [Visitor]

Jaska, I have not commented on your posts often even on Facebook, and it is quite likely that I have never commented here before. It is kinda difficult to comment when one agrees so much all the time. Despite of that relative lack of feedback, you have touched my life in many positive ways and every time I have seen a post by you on FB since the ne more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 34 days old
by atheistbruce [Member]

Hi Jaakko,

Have little to add, but think you made the most of your time in the sun. Pointless & meaningless it may be, but this life is preferable to the religious alternative of mindless servitude.

Fare thee well, Bruce more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 36 days old
by lorwil [Member]

I have enjoyed your blog. I wish you peace and happiness. more…

In response to: "Is it finally time to say goodbye?" 36 days old
by Luis Sanchez [Visitor]

Jakko, first time here. No much to say...silence. I will share your blog with my friends. Other will see how Epicureans travel their lives. Happiness time till the end of time. more…