tedium:TeDeum: March 2012

“There is not a flower that opens, not a seed that falls into the ground, and not an ear of wheat that nods on the end of its stalk in the wind that does not preach and proclaim the greatness and the mercy of God to the whole world.” – Thomas Merton

“My personal life may be crowded with small petty incidents, altogether unnoticeable and mean; but if I obey Jesus Christ in the haphazard circumstances, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God, and when I stand face to face with God I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. ” – Oswald Chambers

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Philosophy of a five-month-old

Well, this is my best description of my five-month-old son's philosophy of life, divided into some of the major branches of philosophical study.

Metaphysics - What is real?
That which is real is that which I can grasp with my hand. Toys and mommy's hair and daddy's hands are all real. A stream of running water may or may not be real; I'm still trying to decide.

Epistemology - How is knowledge acquired?
Knowledge is acquired by inserting the object of study in the knower's mouth.

Ethics - What is good?
That which is good is usually that which is colorful and/or shiny; that which smiles; or that which tastes like breastmilk.

Aesthetics - What is beautiful?
The most beautiful part of any given object is the while silk tag. Some other extraordinarily beautiful things include my parents' faces and feet.

Logic - What arguments are valid?
Valid arguments are those which take into account my need for food, a clean diaper, physical affection and sleep.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Behold! 3-3-2012

Behold!: some noteworthy pieces over the last couple of weeks:

Parenting

Pamela Druckermann writes at the WSJ about the importance of educating children in patience. There's also an NPR interview.
NPR reports on why it's a good thing that I talk to myself and why I'm glad we don't have a TV (and how those might be related).

Religion and Society

M. Nenadov reminds us that Rick Santorum is obnoxious and wrong and why the current party system is obnoxious and wrong.
In a NYTimes piece, the Amish of Sugarcreek, Ohio, in the light of betrayal, remind us what the Sermon on the Mount says.
TGC reports that California judges are now required to reveal their sexual orientation. A very bad idea, as the piece points out, and strikingly discriminatory it would seem.