It’s hard to say, as with anyone. Here’s a short biography that might provide some context: bit.ly/bc-plato-bio
Why is Plato so freaking smart? I love my perspectives course now lol.
Do you think that modern feminism seeks not only equal opportunities for men and women but also equal outcome which is an utopy and non-desirable?
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.
Where is the love?
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
Is Beauty a viable route to the Truth?
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.
Is there any meaning in my life that won’t be destroyed by my death?
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.
Is happiness dependent on a long life?
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.”
Does a straw have one hole or two???
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?
![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).
Quid est veritas?
According to the poet, truth is beauty, and that is all you need to know. bit.ly/bc-keats
Does God eat at Flatbreads?
Flatbread is unleavened, right? (More seriously, thinking of God in human terms is called anthropomorphism and it’s an interesting theological problem. More discussion here: bit.ly/bc-flatbread).
Why does religion still exist today?
The search for meaning and truth will exist long after our material existence ceases. Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, may help you understand why the Human heart longs for more. This book is currently available at O’Neill Library, or the Theology and Ministry Library at call number D810 .J4 F72713 [1985 or 2006].
Why am I so good at everything?
I’m so glad everything is going so well for you! I’m always impressed by how talented BC students are, so it is hardly a surprise! Now that you have achieved success at everything you try, I would encourage you to consider two things. First, how can you be a supportive friend and classmate? This might mean serving a cheerleader for your friends or offering to serve as a tutor for those who aren’t having as easy of a time at it. Second, think about whether you might want to challenge yourself more. Are you good at everything because you are avoiding things that seem scary or difficult? If so, maybe you could set yourself a goal of trying one thing that seems interesting but potentially challenging. It’s a great way to avoid boredom and making sure that you aren’t missing out by playing it safe.
Do priests have to be virgins?
There’s a long church history on the question of celibacy and the clergy, some of which you can see in the New Catholic Encyclopedia: bit.ly/bc-celibacy. The early Church and Eastern Christianity had/have married clergy, and the Western Church recognizes them as priests. bit.ly/bc-celibacy2. Saint Augustine, prior to being a priest and then bishop, was apparently sexually active. (Confessions book 3, chapter 1): bit.ly/bc-celibacy3. So no, virginity is apparently not a requirement, but a vow of celibacy is. The Wall has reached out to other walls on campus for additional comment.
In Being and Time what does Heiddeger mean when he says Dasein is “being-in-the-world” ? Approx 2 pages for a response please
The Wall salutes your entrepreneurial spirit, but doesn’t have that kind of space. For a technical answer, you might try the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: bit.ly/bc-dasein1. You could also look at something like the Cambridge Companion to Heidegger: bit.ly/2ry9wPo. Both will have lots of suggestions for further reading. Ask the humans at the reference desk if these don’t do what you need.
Can you separate an artist’s work from their beliefs? Can you separate different parts of a person’s moral character?
Can you separate different parts of a person’s moral character?
Those are not easy questions to answer. The Wall is feeling a little ancient today, so it will start by recommending Plato’s dialogue Ion, in which Socrates interviews a poet to determine whether he’s an expert on what he writes about. bit.ly/bc-ion. Ancient ethical theory tended to think of virtuous people, where modern thought tends to think of virtuous actions, so it kinda depends on who you ask. bit.ly/bc-ethics. More immediately, you might be interested in reading Molly Ringwald think through her complex reactions now to the movies she made with John Hughes. bit.ly/bc-metoo.
As an apparently sentient wall, does subjective experience of existence convince you of the dual reality of the physical and immaterial, or do you prescribe to a notion of unified panpsychism? or something else?? HMMMM
Don’t overthink this. I’m a library Wall, and I answer questions. My walls are full of all kinds of different takes on dualism & panpsychism. Descartes, Hume, Spinoza, James, Russell … they tied themselves in knots with this stuff. Let’s just say I contain multitudes. Be thoughtful & generous, listen well, and act in accordance with your conscience, and get on with living. If you’re unsatisfied with this answer, dip into The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mind (O’Neill Library BD418.3 .O94 2009) but be sure to take frequent breaks to sing the philosopher song: bit.ly/philosopher-song.
Do homo sapiens have free will?
The Wall fears to wander blindly into a two thousand year old argument. Here’s a pretty intense scholarly summary of arguments for and against: bit.ly/bc-free-will. You could also take a look at a few of the almost three thousand results related to that at Philosopher’s Index, a favorite source of the Wall’s: bit.ly/bc-free-will-2
Why do we suffer?
That’s a major question in philosophy and religion which the Wall won’t pretend to have a simple answer to. For a philosophical take, you could look at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s article on pain: bit.ly/bc-pain. The Encyclopedia of Religion can talk you through Jewish, Christian, and Islamic responses to that question: bit.ly/bc-suffering, but also take a look at the Buddhist view: bit.ly/bc-four. TLDR: Everybody agrees it seems to come with being human. Some view it is punishment for sin, or a way of testing faith. Others see it as the nature of reality.
Why do all good things have to end?
So that you can appreciate them while they exist. Everything ends eventually, and it is a fundamental part of the human experience to mourn the loss of good things and celebrate the end of bad. If you’re feeling sad about something in particular, know that there will be other things – experiences, people, events – that will come along. If you’re having trouble processing the loss of something deeply loved by you, you can always seek help from BC Counseling services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. Otherwise, just know that this too will pass.
Why does everyone look for love, but no one wants to give it?
I disagree that no one wants to give love. I try to give love whenever someone wants it. If you think nobody is giving love, you may need to adjust your definition of it. People show their love and give it in many different ways. It could be that you are showered in love that you just aren’t seeing. Keep an open mind and you may be surprised by how much love is out there.