Philosophy
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a holiday for Pagans. The term "pagan" has both a denotation -- it refers to pre-Christian religions which tended to be polytheistic and to contemporary religious views that are more nature-based in their view of the Divine -- and a connotation -- it is associated with heathens who lack moral sensibilities and live an all too bodily existence. But with so many people identifying themselves as "spiritual, but not religious" and with the increase understanding of our inter-relatedness with the larger world, it seems that foundation for the longstanding cultural meaning of pagan which was largely a marketing tool of early Christianity is coming to resemble an old Chesterfield ad that explains the healthiness of smoking cigarettes as an aid to digestion.
Has the term changed its connotation in the common vernacular? The Pagan motorcycle club clearly uses the term in its old sense -- it is meant to give an edginess to its members. Are there other ways in which the word maintains its sense or is used in new and different ways?
- Are There Varieties Of Ownership?
Our senior thesis writers this semester have been working on some interesting topics. Want to raise some questions this week that have come to mind listening to them develop their arguments. One is looking at the notion of ownership. ...
- Dr. Bronner's "all-one!", Is It Really?
We use a number of products from Dr. Bronner's. They are good soaps without all the garbage large corporate companies feel the need to include in their products. Back when I had eyes that were young enough to be able to read the small...
- Year Of The Dragon
Today is the Chinese new year and the start of the year of the dragon. In the set of signs of the Chinese zodiac cycle, the dragon is the only mythical member. While imaginary, the dragon is to be found in stories from cultures across the...
- June 21st=summer Solstice
"Night in Day" The night never wants to end, to give itself over to light. So it traps itself in things: obsidian, crows. Even on summer solstice, the day of light's great triumph, where fields of sunflowers guzzle in the sun — we break open the...
- Why...why The Feeling That There Is A Connection?
Winter solstice is almost gone as is the shortest day of the year. Now hope for longer days of sunlight and warmer weather takes the front position. ""It's all, I think, in our genes. It's fundamentally embedded," Hufnagel said. "It helps to...
Philosophy
Summer Solstice and the Cultural Meaning of "Pagan"
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a holiday for Pagans. The term "pagan" has both a denotation -- it refers to pre-Christian religions which tended to be polytheistic and to contemporary religious views that are more nature-based in their view of the Divine -- and a connotation -- it is associated with heathens who lack moral sensibilities and live an all too bodily existence. But with so many people identifying themselves as "spiritual, but not religious" and with the increase understanding of our inter-relatedness with the larger world, it seems that foundation for the longstanding cultural meaning of pagan which was largely a marketing tool of early Christianity is coming to resemble an old Chesterfield ad that explains the healthiness of smoking cigarettes as an aid to digestion.
Has the term changed its connotation in the common vernacular? The Pagan motorcycle club clearly uses the term in its old sense -- it is meant to give an edginess to its members. Are there other ways in which the word maintains its sense or is used in new and different ways?
- Are There Varieties Of Ownership?
Our senior thesis writers this semester have been working on some interesting topics. Want to raise some questions this week that have come to mind listening to them develop their arguments. One is looking at the notion of ownership. ...
- Dr. Bronner's "all-one!", Is It Really?
We use a number of products from Dr. Bronner's. They are good soaps without all the garbage large corporate companies feel the need to include in their products. Back when I had eyes that were young enough to be able to read the small...
- Year Of The Dragon
Today is the Chinese new year and the start of the year of the dragon. In the set of signs of the Chinese zodiac cycle, the dragon is the only mythical member. While imaginary, the dragon is to be found in stories from cultures across the...
- June 21st=summer Solstice
"Night in Day" The night never wants to end, to give itself over to light. So it traps itself in things: obsidian, crows. Even on summer solstice, the day of light's great triumph, where fields of sunflowers guzzle in the sun — we break open the...
- Why...why The Feeling That There Is A Connection?
Winter solstice is almost gone as is the shortest day of the year. Now hope for longer days of sunlight and warmer weather takes the front position. ""It's all, I think, in our genes. It's fundamentally embedded," Hufnagel said. "It helps to...