Jeffrey Luk's Blog

the following is a draft and not the final copy    My argument is the following: I believe that intellectualizing has been treated quite unfairly as a immature coping mechanism, when it should be the  only  coping mechanism in the greatest possible human.  1. Aristotle's human nature and virtue ethics.  - What separates a man from an animal?  - Aristotle believes that it is our rational nature that separates us. An animal cannot act morally because it cannot reason, man can reason and therefore he can be held accountable for his actions.   - His moral thesis is Natural Law Theory, where one is supposed to fulfill their nature. - If the nature of man is rational, then the highest good is contemplation of the good.  - If the highest good is using our rational faculties to contemplate the good, then emotions are just a mere means to an end.  2. Kant vs Hume on moral philosophy Kant and Hume have differing ...

Provisionary Draft "They tell us that Suicide is the greatest piece of cowardice...that suicide is wrong; when it is quite obvious that there is nothing in this world to which every man has a more unassailable title than to his own life and person." - Arthur Schopenhauer I have recently come to be deeply troubled by the medical decisions that I helped facilitate. Clinically, suicidal intent is a proxy for altered mental status and is probable cause for psychiatric hospitalization. But why should this be the case? I can easily see how someone might rationally come to the conclusion of suicide. And sovereignty is a kind of determination that requires immediacy -- why should I wait for someone else's judgment of my competence?  If society is as free as it should be, and if I own myself, then I ought to have the right to end my own life. It is of the same type as martyrdom -- a declaration of conviction: Life is not worth living!!  Just as Socrates accepts the hemlock instead...

The main objection to the union between church and state may take the form of the following principle:  - It is wrong to impose a rule that cannot reasonably appeal to the people it applies to.  However, this rule itself may not appeal to all people. And just like other rules, it must be subject to itself. Therefore, it is self defeating.