“If sex is indispensable in reproduction and was made so by God, can we say that the Holy Spirit had sex with Mary?” Thank you, Edet Ukpabio Esiet! Questions at the cross-section of philosophy and theology are difficult, and your question nicely highlights that. Since you framed the question in terms of Mary and the […]
Did the Holy Spirit have sex with Mary? Read More
Thank you, Sajad Ali, for this interesting question. Aristotle famously believed that virtue is a mean between two extremes—for example, courage is a mean between recklessness and cowardice. Does this work for the desire for knowledge, too? In particular, can there be an excess of such a desire? There is no name for the virtue
Can the desire for knowledge be considered greedy? Read More
Secondly, why do you continue to study it? Hi Arjun! Thanks for the (very interesting) question. There are several reasons why I study philosophy and why I will continue to study it in the future. Let me get straight into the most relevant ones. First of all, part of philosophy is to ask (and try
Why do you study philosophy? Read More
Thank you, Jm Reyes, for such a pragmatic question. Although the answer may seem trivial at first glance, it leads us deep into the realm of philosophy and modality. The simplest answer to your question is no – at least, that’s what your parents, friends and travel agents would tell you. And the reason is
Is it possible to travel in japan if you are a student and don’t have enough money? Read More
The only thought attached here is that it doesn’t seem fitting that the answer is, ‘Whatever science can’t answer.’ Thank you, Joshua Millard, for a great question. Your question has surely haunted all remotely self-aware philosophers at some point in their careers. Remarkably (or perhaps unremarkably, if you have followed philosophy for some time), there
What is the proper domain for philosophy? Read More
Thank you, Alex Norris, for such an intriguing question! Even though your question covers several complex philosophical fields (metaphysics and modality, standard and non-standard logic, philosophy of mind and language), I hope my answer will be as clear and complete as possible. “There are things that do not exist.” This enigmatic sentence from A. Meinong
Are all things that can be imagined possible somewhere or somewhen? Read More
Thank you, Joey Daly, for such an emotive question! Whenever wondering whether something is possible, a good place to start is with experience; for if it has ever manifested in experience, then of course it must be possible. When wondering whether animals can be cruel, then, we may start by asking: Has an animal ever
Can animals be cruel? Read More
