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.

All Scholarships are a form of Affirmative Action

Posted on June 6, 2008 by shaunmiller

Not really, but hear me out. Let’s ask what’s the point of affirmative action.  Well, it started with Johnson’s presidency and the purpose was to rectify previous injustices, and to disestablish institutional racism. Now, the applications of this have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Paper Topic | 4 Comments

Sacredness of Life

Posted on June 3, 2008 by shaunmiller

So here’s a question I’ve been thinking about: is life sacred? Many people consider life (especially human life) sacred, but what does that mean? If life is sacred, why is it sacred? UPDATE: Perhaps the word “sacred” is a bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Paper Topic, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Demi-Vegetarianism

Posted on May 27, 2008 by shaunmiller

As some of you know, I’m a vegetarian of sorts, but I consider myself more of a demi-vegetarian. British philosopher R. M. Hare, used it in the title of an essay: “Why I Am Only a Demi-Vegetarian,” chap. 15 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Ethics, Experts, Paper Topic, Peter Singer, Vegetarianism | 11 Comments

Kierkegaard and Fundamentalist Christians

Posted on May 24, 2008 by shaunmiller

Back in a previous post, I mentioned that a possible paper topic I could write about was pertaining to Kierkegaard and Fundamentalist Christians.  Well, I’ve been thinking more about that lately.  What would Kierkegaard think about the Fundamentalist Christians? Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Existentialism, Kierkegaard, Paper Topic, Religion | 5 Comments

Spiritual but not Religious??

Posted on May 21, 2008 by shaunmiller

Often I hear that people are spiritual but not religious.  What does this mean?  To say that one is spiritual–does that mean that s/he believes in spirits?  in ghosts? in some afterlife?  in God even? Next, what does it mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Paper Topic | 31 Comments

Chris Hedges doesn’t believe in Atheism

Posted on May 17, 2008 by shaunmiller

Chris Hedges doesn’t believe in atheists. What he means is that the new form of Atheism (e.g. Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens) is another brand of fundamentalism, a new form of radicalism if you will. The interview is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism | Leave a comment

The Problem with Moral Obligations

Posted on May 16, 2008 by shaunmiller

A lot of moral philosophers have said that we have a moral obligation to do x.  But hold on there!  Let’s back up a bit.  The question that needs to be asked is why.  Why do we have a moral … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Paper Topic | 22 Comments