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.

Professionals vs. Kitch

Posted on July 14, 2008 by shaunmiller

I met someone new recently.  As with any new people, you ask him/her questions to get to know the person.  So I asked him, “what are you planning to do for a career?”  He said that he was aspiring to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Books, Epistemology, Experts, Paper Topic | 10 Comments

Kant, Mormons, and Pragmatism

Posted on July 11, 2008 by shaunmiller

I’ve only taught for about four years so this may not be a general thing.  I’ve noticed that when I teach Kant’s ethics, the people who are LDS don’t particularly like it.  Actually, the people who are very religious and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Mormons, Pragmatism | 15 Comments

Castle Doctrine: Shifting Burden of Proof from Shooter to the State

Posted on July 4, 2008 by shaunmiller

In November 2007, Joe Horn, citizen of Texas shot two intruders.  According to the Castle Doctrine, he had the right to do this.  If someone is breaking in your house or your neighbor’s house, you have the right to defend … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Guns | 18 Comments

Bill Moyers & Michael Winship: It Was Oil, All Along

Posted on June 30, 2008 by shaunmiller

Bill Moyers does an excellent article relating oil with the War in Iraq: Oh, no, they told us, Iraq isn’t a war about oil. That’s cynical and simplistic, they said. It’s about terror and al Qaeda and toppling a dictator … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Politics | Leave a comment

Do humans have a greater right to live than other animals?

Posted on June 26, 2008 by shaunmiller

An interesting question was posted on askphilosophers.com: Do humans have a greater right to live than other animals? If so, would beings of much greater intelligence and perception hold that same right over humans? Any thoughts?

Posted in Ethics, Vegetarianism | 7 Comments

Derrida on Forgiveness

Posted on June 25, 2008 by shaunmiller

A really interesting talk about forgiveness from the philosopher Jacques Derrida.  Forgiveness cannot happen if the object is forgiveable because it automatically applies that forgiving that someone is “too easy.”  I know I’m butchering it.  Thus, one can only forgive … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Artificially Grown Meat

Posted on June 23, 2008 by shaunmiller

Scientists have recently discovered a possible way to grow meat.  So here’s a question: would you eat it? I’ve been wondering if vegitarians and members of P.E.T.A. would eat it.  I think if they didn’t eat meat for moral reasons, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics | 8 Comments

Good “Thinking” Books

Posted on June 22, 2008 by shaunmiller

A lot of people have been asking me, “Shaun, what’s a good book to read but that isn’t that deep?”  I’m guessing not too philosophical.  Well, I do have some books that I really enjoy and they are actually readable … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 1 Comment

Question: Does science make belief in God obsolete?

Posted on June 13, 2008 by shaunmiller

An interesting site that shows both sides of the argument. The info taken below is from Prelocutionary II website. The Templeton foundation has published a 13 essay booklet on the topic edited by Michael Shermer. On the “Yes” side Victor … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism | Leave a comment

Politics and the Brain

Posted on June 6, 2008 by shaunmiller

A recent study came out which you can read here. Basically, the recent brain-imaging study shows that our political predilections are a product of unconscious confirmation bias. In other words, we first come up with an opinion (for example, being … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 5 Comments