John Michael Greer is a well-known name in the Pagan community -- whether it's from his works on magic, Druidry, or environmentalism, etc. The man is prolific. Where I first heard of him, however, was from his work on Polytheism: A World Full of Gods. I had left seminary, Catholicism and even Christianity at the … Continue reading A World Full of Gods – Some Thoughts
Some Early Morning Metaphysics
There is a sense in which each thing has an ontological first-person perspective. It is perspectival in a first-person way because it is the vantage point from her corner of the universe, but it is ontological because it is a matter of her presence, rather than any awareness.It is a matter of being a center, … Continue reading Some Early Morning Metaphysics
On Gods and Men
Asclepius, son of Apollo, help me understand. Guide my thoughts, call me to those things you wish for me to see. I acknowledge my biases and ulterior motives, my ignorance, my stupidity. I move my will to counter these dispositions, these structures, as best I can. I look with fresh eyes, cleared from the fog … Continue reading On Gods and Men
Does God Exist? Some Post-Debate Thoughts
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
The Analytic Pagan 