Philosophy
I don't know whether the practice of circumcision arose from sincere concern for the health of babies being born and raised in conditions less than optimal in terms of hygiene, or whether it arose from the dogmatic, arbitrary and superstitious religious beliefs of illiterate goat herders in the desert.
What I do know is that this practice has become the norm in Western cultures. Never mind the ironic self-esteem problems it produces for those whose loving parents have spared them this brutal procedure, the practice of child circumcision raises some very interesting ethical questions:
If there is no clear medical benefit to circumcision (and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that, at least in developed countries, it is completely useless), is it okay for parents to impose, simply for the sake of some backward sense of social acceptance, what can only be described as a barbaric procedure on their obviously non-consenting boys? If circumcision desensitizes sexual pleasure, can it be compared (in kind, not degree) to the clearly objectionable practice of female genital mutilation?
Penn & Teller have a few choice words to share about the issue.
- Paul Bloom - Essentialism And The Origins Of Pleasure
If I tried to sell you the painting to the right for a hefty sum, I'm pretty sure you'd think it wasn't worth your time, or that I was trying to pull your leg. Never mind the artistic talent and effort that indubitably went into the piece,...
- Penn Jillette - This I Believe: There Is No God
When it comes to the intellectual battle between atheism and religion, the group with the imaginary friends ain't gonna win. But what about the intellectual tension between atheism and agnosticism? One could argue that atheism is an arrogant position,...
- Penn & Teller - Shadows
This weekend I had the privilege and good fortune of seeing my first live Penn & Teller magic show in Las Vegas, and I must say it was one of the highlights of my life. Their tricks are incredibly entertaining, excitingly ambiguous and deliciously...
- Penn & Teller - The Vatican Is Bullshit!
It should come as no surprise to anyone that when magicians and big time skeptics Penn & Teller decided to do a show on all things Bullshit, the Pope and the Vatican would eventually find their way into that list. It's not hard to see why: the...
- Penn & Teller Saw A Woman In Half
As you probably know, Penn & Teller are no ordinary magicians. Not only do they reveal the tricks up magicians' sleeves (infuriating many in their trade), or the pychological quirks of the mind that make us fall prey to the deception, they are...
Philosophy
Penn & Teller - Circumcision Is Bullshit!
I don't know whether the practice of circumcision arose from sincere concern for the health of babies being born and raised in conditions less than optimal in terms of hygiene, or whether it arose from the dogmatic, arbitrary and superstitious religious beliefs of illiterate goat herders in the desert.What I do know is that this practice has become the norm in Western cultures. Never mind the ironic self-esteem problems it produces for those whose loving parents have spared them this brutal procedure, the practice of child circumcision raises some very interesting ethical questions:
If there is no clear medical benefit to circumcision (and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that, at least in developed countries, it is completely useless), is it okay for parents to impose, simply for the sake of some backward sense of social acceptance, what can only be described as a barbaric procedure on their obviously non-consenting boys? If circumcision desensitizes sexual pleasure, can it be compared (in kind, not degree) to the clearly objectionable practice of female genital mutilation?Penn & Teller have a few choice words to share about the issue.
And if you feel self-conscious because you haven't been butchered, there are people who might find you sexy :)
Check out more of Penn & Teller's magic and irreverence.
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Check out more of Penn & Teller's magic and irreverence.
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- Paul Bloom - Essentialism And The Origins Of Pleasure
If I tried to sell you the painting to the right for a hefty sum, I'm pretty sure you'd think it wasn't worth your time, or that I was trying to pull your leg. Never mind the artistic talent and effort that indubitably went into the piece,...
- Penn Jillette - This I Believe: There Is No God
When it comes to the intellectual battle between atheism and religion, the group with the imaginary friends ain't gonna win. But what about the intellectual tension between atheism and agnosticism? One could argue that atheism is an arrogant position,...
- Penn & Teller - Shadows
This weekend I had the privilege and good fortune of seeing my first live Penn & Teller magic show in Las Vegas, and I must say it was one of the highlights of my life. Their tricks are incredibly entertaining, excitingly ambiguous and deliciously...
- Penn & Teller - The Vatican Is Bullshit!
It should come as no surprise to anyone that when magicians and big time skeptics Penn & Teller decided to do a show on all things Bullshit, the Pope and the Vatican would eventually find their way into that list. It's not hard to see why: the...
- Penn & Teller Saw A Woman In Half
As you probably know, Penn & Teller are no ordinary magicians. Not only do they reveal the tricks up magicians' sleeves (infuriating many in their trade), or the pychological quirks of the mind that make us fall prey to the deception, they are...