In this week’s spotlight I want to discuss emotion. Many people believe that intellect should rule emotion while others are convinced that emotion must be married to mind in order to maximize both. Even at that, there are a few who insist emotion should trump all else. Logic or Emotion? The fact is hard research has a place for all. There are times that emotion should rule and times that emotion should not enter the equation. Balancing the two is something that sounds simple but is quite difficult in many ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight, I want to discuss intelligence. What exactly do we mean by intelligence? Do you have to be human to be intelligent? If animals possess intelligence, do plants? Do we think that feeling is part of intelligence? Awareness—is that a measure of intelligence? Is the universe itself, as many philosophers and mathematicians believe, intelligent? Intelligent? Webster defines intelligence this way, “The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. The act of understanding—comprehension.” Now think about that while I turn to some controversial research regarding plant intelligence. ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I wish to discuss the chasm between our sciences and ethical concerns as they guide our public policies. We have discussed on this show the lack of ethical guidelines for matters such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, the use of machine learning for manipulation purposes, and so forth; but there are many other areas where science has reached a capability that the world is not prepared to deal with, and/or is ignorant of the possible ramifications given the deployment of some of these technologies. Given that ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I want to discuss the idea of right action. For the Buddha, right action was a series of restrain injunctions, from Moses we have ten prohibition commandments, from the Sikhs we are admonished against five evils, and so it goes from all religions. Right action defined as negative admonishments. Happiness or Ethics Now there are political theories regarding right action that instruct us that: “According to the theory of right action, the happiness or pleasure of a greatest number of people in the society is considered ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I want to discuss the notion of success. What exactly is success to you? Webster defines success this way, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Well then, according to Webster success is no more nor no less than what an individual decides when they set a goal and achieve it. Financial Gain Many people today generally think of success in terms of financial rewards. Oh, we all recognize the success of a young athlete who wins a ball game, or a child who overcomes their ... Read More
