This Saturday I really stepped out of my shell and went to Houston to see a debate: Justin Shieber vs. Eric Hernandez, on whether God exists (link here).There were a number of people I told myself I was going to meet, and many to whom I should have at least introduced myself, but, you know, … Continue reading Does God Exist? Some Post-Debate Thoughts
Return of the Gods: a revamped response to Palmqvist
Carl-Johan Palmqvist’s 2022 ‘The old gods as a live possibility: on the rational feasibility of non-doxastic paganism’ has opened the doors for today’s philosophers of religion to research and consider polytheism—the belief in many Gods or Goddesses. But the start of any conversation will be marked by distinctions, caution and refinement. In that vein, I … Continue reading Return of the Gods: a revamped response to Palmqvist
Existential Paganism
I recently experienced what philosopher and author Brendan Myers might call an Immensity; a shocking, overwhelming encounter with an event that's completely beyond my ability to control or understand, with all the resulting sensations of despair, powerlessness, helplessness, humility and silence. I feel as if I've been shaken from an unreflective life, and my attention … Continue reading Existential Paganism
A Polytheist Response to Gel
I originally composed a longer paper version of this post and intended to submit it for publication, but I do not think that is a fruitful use of my time any longer—I honestly don't think it will be until I get letters next to my name. And I will! Eventually. Until then, I'll fight the … Continue reading A Polytheist Response to Gel
An Open Letter to the Midwesterner on “Gender”
I grew up in a small town in South Dakota. Yes, people live there. My entire county had 1,500 people in it. My high school graduating class size? 50 something. I’ve lived in small towns most of my life. Not all of it. I got to see the world as an Army brat. But most … Continue reading An Open Letter to the Midwesterner on “Gender”
I’m not Weird, You’re Weird
Consider the position that two things cannot be the same because they are two. If they were the same, then they would be one. Thus, sameness is identity, and identity is indiscernibility. Call this position 'nominalism'. To the nominalist, many things are never one; not really, anyway. For example, we talk as if there are … Continue reading I’m not Weird, You’re Weird
Gerson’s Monotheism
As a student of Plato, I'm a fan of Lloyd P. Gerson. His knowledge of the ancient Platonists is encyclopedic and his ability to relate their ideas to contemporary discussions is brilliant. His translation of the Enneads will become standard, and his work on "ur-Platonism" will be instrumental in reinvigorating Platonic interest for generations to … Continue reading Gerson’s Monotheism
Steinhart and the Platonic Cowbell
Last August, I published "Polytheism: A Platonic Approach." Last December, Eric Steinhart published "Atheistic Platonism: A Manifesto." At first pass, it might seem that Eric and I are doing the same thing: constructing a Platonic worldview with an eye toward its implications for the philosophy of religion. This in turn might give the impression that … Continue reading Steinhart and the Platonic Cowbell
Classical Theism: The Other Side of the Story
I. Introduction Feel free to skip to Sections II-III if you’re just here for the arguments. This section introduces the topic and some key terms, especially for those who may be new to this. If you’re still here, welcome to the debut of this series! I often hear in law enforcement that every story has … Continue reading Classical Theism: The Other Side of the Story
On Dialectical Success
In "An Ontological Argument for Polytheism", Walking the Worlds 2.2 (Summer 2016), I said that an "[a]rgument will be called dialectically successful if (i) its conclusion follows from its premises, (ii) its premises do not beg the question and (iii) it is not subject to parody," (44). I stand by this. But, what does it … Continue reading On Dialectical Success
The Analytic Pagan 