Philosophy
Last weekend was Father's Day and the bad Father's Day gift has become a cultural cliche. And, of course, when we get a bad gift, we get told, "It's the thought that counts." But is it? It leads to two obvious questions -- which thought? and count for what?
Is it the thought that led the person to get the gift? generally we give gifts at times when we are socially expected to give them. The gifts are not random expressions of affection, they come at birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays when we know we need to get something for someone.
Is it the thought that went into picking out the gift? That couldn't be it either because it was this thought that went astray. They thought about it (or didn't) and got it wrong.
So what thought is it that counts?
And what exactly does it count for? We don't keep score or credit. Is it that it crosses the line to justify appreciation? Is there really such a line and isn't it exactly the fact that the gift isn't one we appreciate as much as others that led to the saying in the first place?
- What Counts As A Joke?
My Comedist Brethren and Sistren, I have a theological question for everyone this weekend. In Comedism, nothing is as holy as the joke. but the question is what counts as a joke. The standard structure of a joke has two parts. First is the set up. Set...
- Can You Deny Gratitude? What Does A Book Dedication Mean?
A friend has written a book and wanted to dedicate it to a well-known figure who had inspired his work. He sent a note and the figure's people responded that while this well-known appreciates the sentiment, the book was NOT to be dedicated to him....
- More Bad Gifts
My discussion of bad gifts got picked up a couple of places, including the Sacramento Bee and the Washington Times (yes, that Washington Times). Let me make one clarification. I am not saying that there are no cases in which gift cards make good gifts....
- "sock" It To Me Christmas
The customary "Christmas stocking"--never knew this: What a delightful tale and significance of an orange placed in the toe of a sock. In this political season polls and focus groups seem to be all the rage. It is a trend that isn't lost on us here...
- What Will You Do With Your "leap Second"?
There will probably be little thought given to a free gift on the 31st of December, 2008 as one celebrates consuming Friskies on a cracker and washing it down with vintage wine [from the week of December 22nd to December 26th] and ushering in a hopefully...
Philosophy
Is It Really the Though That Counts?
Last weekend was Father's Day and the bad Father's Day gift has become a cultural cliche. And, of course, when we get a bad gift, we get told, "It's the thought that counts." But is it? It leads to two obvious questions -- which thought? and count for what?
Is it the thought that led the person to get the gift? generally we give gifts at times when we are socially expected to give them. The gifts are not random expressions of affection, they come at birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays when we know we need to get something for someone.
Is it the thought that went into picking out the gift? That couldn't be it either because it was this thought that went astray. They thought about it (or didn't) and got it wrong.
So what thought is it that counts?
And what exactly does it count for? We don't keep score or credit. Is it that it crosses the line to justify appreciation? Is there really such a line and isn't it exactly the fact that the gift isn't one we appreciate as much as others that led to the saying in the first place?
- What Counts As A Joke?
My Comedist Brethren and Sistren, I have a theological question for everyone this weekend. In Comedism, nothing is as holy as the joke. but the question is what counts as a joke. The standard structure of a joke has two parts. First is the set up. Set...
- Can You Deny Gratitude? What Does A Book Dedication Mean?
A friend has written a book and wanted to dedicate it to a well-known figure who had inspired his work. He sent a note and the figure's people responded that while this well-known appreciates the sentiment, the book was NOT to be dedicated to him....
- More Bad Gifts
My discussion of bad gifts got picked up a couple of places, including the Sacramento Bee and the Washington Times (yes, that Washington Times). Let me make one clarification. I am not saying that there are no cases in which gift cards make good gifts....
- "sock" It To Me Christmas
The customary "Christmas stocking"--never knew this: What a delightful tale and significance of an orange placed in the toe of a sock. In this political season polls and focus groups seem to be all the rage. It is a trend that isn't lost on us here...
- What Will You Do With Your "leap Second"?
There will probably be little thought given to a free gift on the 31st of December, 2008 as one celebrates consuming Friskies on a cracker and washing it down with vintage wine [from the week of December 22nd to December 26th] and ushering in a hopefully...