Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
A lot of people, they don’t think it be like it is, but it do. It could be worthwhile studying either the problem of evil (AKA theodicy: bit.ly/bc-theodicy1) or perhaps the liberation from suffering that is the goal of Buddhism (bit.ly/stanford-buddhism). Or any major religion, really – all of whom in some way attempt to come to terms with the question: why does suffering exist?
All kinds of things happen, some for the better, some for the worse, for you or for others. Our individual points of view are quite limited, and nobody can ever know all the direct or indirect effects of any joyful or sad event. We can all work to alleviate pain & suffering & celebrate and mourn in fellowship with others. If things bring people together, maybe that’s a sufficient kind of working out.
That is a big question that lots of people have wrestled with. Leibniz called it a theodicy, and I can offer a variety of suggested reading. TLDR: The Christian view tends to be that human freedom to choose has to include the possibility of evil. Here’s a general take from a favorite source, the New Dictionary of the History of Ideas: bit.ly/bc-theodicy1. For a more Catholic view: bit.ly/bc-theodicy2. and for a classic more popular treatment, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”: bit.ly/bc-theodicy3.
Ah, a classic logic problem which lots of thinkers have addressed. It’s called the omnipotence paradox, and there are a variety of responses to it. Actually entertaining Wikipedia article: bit.ly/bc-omni. More technical discussion: bit.ly/bc-omni2. Aquinas argues that logic still applies: Even an omnipotent being can’t do something impossible. Augustine argues that God must act according to his nature, which means he can’t create anything omnipotent. The Wall’s favorite modern response is that the question is just a pile of words: if God is omnipotent, “could not lift” doesn’t make sense.
Plato, that big name philosopher born 427-ish BCE? (bit.ly/SEP-plato) No. Some guy named Plato, maybe? Ask him if he’s interested. Fingers crossed.
To our joy and sorrow, probably not. The reasons for joy are real, as are the reasons for sorrow. You’d probably enjoy the idealist philosopher George Berkeley (bit.ly/bishop-berkeley), though you may find his pure idealism jarringly more radical than the possibility that we’re living in a simulation, which presupposes a material reality that’s creating the illusion in which we live. Berkeley would dispense with that materialist nonsense rather quickly.
It depends on how you define “thought”. Bees have demonstrated behavior that goes beyond instinct. They can solve experimental problems never encountered in nature. They make decisions based on an effort/reward calculation. They communicate what they learn to each other. But has a bee ever wondered whether to be or not to be? That is a very good question.
“Now” just keeps moving, so answering “What time is it now?” is a challenge for me. Now that I’m finally providing an answer, “Now” has already turned to “then.” I think the response of your Korean friend (“Hi, how are you? Goodbye.”) sums up the concept nicely: What time is it now? Time to say hi, time to say goodbye. “Now” behaves that way all the time: “Hi! Bye!” Now and then I just want Now to slow down and sit in those comfy chairs right over there and pass the time with me.
I am truly happy to be in the moment: just being here and supporting the library and watching busy people go by and especially answering questions. What makes you happy?
There was a conference about that a couple of years ago and a number of prominent scientists and philosophers weighed in: bit.ly/bc-cs1. You can look up their work in the library catalog or articles search. The article by Bostrum mentioned there is here: bit.ly/bc-cs2. If you want to dig a little deeper, discussions of the nature of the physical universe usually go under cosmology–here’s an article which covers scientific and philosophical positions equally: bit.ly/bc-cs3
Aristotle can be tough, partly because some of what we have of his is kinda like lecture notes. I’m told he’s much clearer in Greek…but assuming that isn’t feasible, here are a few things you could try. 1) Try a different translation–we have lots of all of his works. Sometimes that can make a confusing passage make more sense. In addition to reading the Aristotle, you could 2) Try reading something that tries to summarize Aristotle, like this Very Short Introduction to Ancient Philosophy. bit.ly/bc-vsi, or a general history of western philosophy. 3) Mortimer Adler’s Aristotle for Everybody was written for exactly this reason. bit.ly/bc-aristotle-everybody.
It’s hard to say, as with anyone. Here’s a short biography that might provide some context: bit.ly/bc-plato-bio
No. The aims of modern feminism, judging by the 3,420 results in a catalog search using “feminism” as a subject (bit.ly/BCLIB-feminism), cannot be summed up so briefly.
It is sad that we are still reflecting on that question and I wish I could provide the one and perfect answer. Perhaps the best advice for us all is found in the song (bit.ly/whereisthelove2016): “Take control of your mind, just meditate And let your soul just gravitate to the love So the whole world celebrate it” <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
It all depends on your definition of “beauty” and “truth”, and also on where you apply the formula. John Keats’ famous declaration “Beauty is truth, thruth beauty” works perfectly well in the realm of poetry. I am not sure it would work flawlessly in areas such as Politics, Social Sciences, Mathematics or Religion.
Absolutely. Every day your actions affect others, and every day is an opportunity to make your interactions with others have meaning. Maybe I’ve been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack – available at Course Reserves, O’Neill 3rd Floor – too much (is that even possible?), but if you are interested in your legacy, it makes good food for thought.
I don’t believe that happiness is dependent on a long life. Instead, I believe happiness is dependent on a fruitful, meaningful life. As Lao Tzu said: “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”
One – think donut. See the topological proof here: bit.ly/oneholestraw. For more topological math games, see bit.ly/topomathgames
![What is the meaning of life? [Answered] The meaning of life is that you are someone else's meaning of life :)](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/aw090418-7.jpg)
Truth is I can’t tell you what your meaning of life is; I think we all need to figure it out for ourselves. Did you know that a search of the phrase “meaning of life” in the library catalog produces 244 results? A lot of people are trying to figure this out. This online book provides one short introduction (bit.ly/meaningoflifeintro). And this book provides some different perspectives for you to think about (bit.ly/meaningoflife2). And then there’s always the Monty Python take on it: PN1997 .M424 2003 (but checked out right now, alas).
According to the poet, truth is beauty, and that is all you need to know. bit.ly/bc-keats
