There is an argument sometimes made that the termination of a religious tradition reflects poorly on the object(s) of that tradition. Maybe it means the God and its entourage never existed in the first place, or that they were defeated, or at least that they abandoned their people. But whatever it means, it isn’t good. … Continue reading On the Problem of Pagan Eclipse
Author: Dillon
Some Thoughts about ‘On Volitive Knowing’
If you are not subscribed to parhypostaton's Substack Waking Soliloquies, you should be. The recent 'On Volitive Knowing' is a banger, and it inspired too many thoughts in me to record anywhere else than here. So, guess who has to hear them now? In particular, I want to focus on the inexistence of the One, … Continue reading Some Thoughts about ‘On Volitive Knowing’
Spiritual Advice for the Weary Soul
This post is surely not for everyone. But if anyone out there is yearning for more religious surety in today's world, this short reflection might be for you. I believe that our society is living in an era of epistemic crisis: normalized exposure to conflicting information from seemingly equally credentialed, enthusiastic sources on just about … Continue reading Spiritual Advice for the Weary Soul
Anonymity: A Halloween Special
My family celebrates the Halloween season. We decorate the house accordingly. We watch spooky shows and movies. We find thematic snacks and meals. And we dress in costumes and trick or treat. As a quick aside, I think the popular level religious custody battles over Halloween--which make it no further than a Hegelian level of … Continue reading Anonymity: A Halloween Special
Puzzles about Aquinas and Participation
In this post, I want to share three puzzles I have about Thomas Aquinas' remarks on participation. In the event that I come upon a resolution to these, which I would be eager to find, I will update this post! But before getting into that subject, I wanted to say a few words about 'The … Continue reading Puzzles about Aquinas and Participation
From Anselm to Entelecheia: Free Flowing Thoughts
For this week, I wanted to share some free-flowing thoughts on various points of interest that have been on my mind lately. Matthew Levering says that "Anselm raises the possibility that there might be more than one nature that is inferior to no other nature. This would entail that the supreme natures be equals. But, … Continue reading From Anselm to Entelecheia: Free Flowing Thoughts
Polytheism and Classical Natural Theology
I am currently taking a course in Natural Theology, which is understood to be the discipline or science that proves or demonstrates the existence and attributes of God (classically conceived). Two of the works we are reading are Edward Feser's Five Proofs of the Existence of God and Matthew Levering's Proofs of God: Classical Arguments … Continue reading Polytheism and Classical Natural Theology
Kant and the Logic of Addition
Immanuel Kant famously argued that the equation 7+5=12 is an example of a synthetic a priori judgement. Indeed, he maintained that “arithmetical propositions are always synthetic.” 1 But is this the case? By critically engaging Kant’s argumentation, I will uncover two prima facie problems with the idea that arithmetical propositions are synthetic. By reengaging these … Continue reading Kant and the Logic of Addition
Phenomenality as Imaging the Gods
Suppose that the term 'God' and all such cognates represent an intellectual labor, such as the articulation of a form, genericity, or some other correlate of intellect. If something like that is correct, then it seems that while 'God' designates a one as such, nevertheless, this one as such does not consist in, but precedes … Continue reading Phenomenality as Imaging the Gods
Thomas Aquinas and the Problem of Reproduction
My summer semester is officially complete! I have a 10-day summer break until the Fall semester starts, so I've lit my incense in thanksgiving and dove into my pile of books--which simply had to begin with Edward Butler's recent Polytheism in Greek Philosophy (a work I have been eager to finish, and am now quickly … Continue reading Thomas Aquinas and the Problem of Reproduction
The Analytic Pagan 