Author Archives: shaunmiller

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About shaunmiller

I have just completed a visiting position as an assistant professor at Dalhousie University. My ideas are not associated with my employer; they are expressions of my own thoughts and ideas. Some of them are just musings while others could be serious discussions that could turn into a bigger project. Besides philosophy, I enjoy martial arts (Kuk Sool Won), playing my violin, enjoying coffee around town, and experimenting with new food.

Benatar Part Two: How Bad is Coming Into Existence?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by shaunmiller

In a previous post, I went over Benatar’s argument on why coming into existence is always a harm, even if there is a small amount of it. Now, I will look at his next chapter and see how he argues … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Natalism, Book Review, Ethics, Values | Tagged | 6 Comments

Go the F**k to Sleep as Read by Samuel L. Jackson

Posted on June 15, 2011 by shaunmiller

In a previous post, I wrote about child’s book entitled Go the F**k to Sleep.  Now, you can listen to it appropriately read by Samuel L. Jackson:  

Posted in Books, Children, Humor | Leave a comment

Conjoined Twins Sharing a Brain

Posted on June 13, 2011 by shaunmiller

A fascinating article about twins conjoined at the head which leads scientists asking whether they share a mind.  The girls are about three years old and if one senses an object, the other knows what the other is sensing!  How … Continue reading →

Posted in Mind, Personal Identity, Relationships | 1 Comment

Benatar: Why Coming Into Existence is Always a Harm

Posted on June 6, 2011 by shaunmiller

This is an essay clarifying Benatar’s argument on why coming to existence is always a harm.  I will be concentrating on his book, Better to Never Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence, particularly on pp. 30-49. This the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Natalism, Ethics, Paper Topic | 17 Comments

Dead Philosophers

Posted on May 31, 2011 by shaunmiller

I’m now a fan of Dead Philosopher Comics.  An example is below:

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Individual Houses Make Their Own Levees

Posted on May 26, 2011 by shaunmiller

The title says it all.  You can check out this gallery to see individual houses with their own levees.  Pretty cool!

Posted in Aesthetics, Culture, News | Leave a comment

Neil Sinhababu is Fantastic

Posted on May 24, 2011 by shaunmiller

Neil Sinhababu is a philosopher at the National University in Singapore.  After going through his blog and listening to a podcast, and reading one of his papers on Possible Girls, he’s now become someone whom I frequently look up.  Sinhababu … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Sexuality | 5 Comments

If You Ever Feel Lonely…

Posted on May 23, 2011 by shaunmiller

…just keep in mind that you have a possible partner in some modal reality. This paper is seriously impressive.  I don’t think I have actually laughed at a philosophy paper before, but the myriad of possible girlfriends (with and without … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Paper Topic, Possible Worlds, Relationships | 2 Comments

Year One in the Ph. D. Program: Reflections

Posted on May 17, 2011 by shaunmiller

So my first year in the Ph. D. program is over.  It was exhausting and stressful, but overall I’m happy to get back into academia and learning new ideas.  First let me say what I’m enjoying so far. The City Milwaukee is very … Continue reading →

Posted in Grad School | Leave a comment

If I Ever Have Kids…

Posted on May 16, 2011 by shaunmiller

…this is the book I’ll read to them. Here’s a page from the book:

Posted in Books, Children, Humor | 1 Comment