Creative Commons
Blogs I Follow
Tag Archives: Books
J. S. Mill’s effete and elitist rescue operation
How can we preserve individual liberty while at the same time protect public health and safety? In my previous post, we saw a new type of solution to the paradox of politics: replace liberty with utility. On this view, which … Continue reading
Summer sabbatical readings
I will be on sabbatical until the end of the year; below is my first batch of readings. (Note: my listing is in alphabetical order, by author.)
Review of Adam Smith’s 1756 letter-essay
Although Adam Smith’s 1756 “Letter to the Authors of the Edinburgh Review” consists of only 17 paragraphs, this survey essay makes for remarkable reading for two reasons. First off, it is one of Smith’s first publications — appearing in print … Continue reading
Micro review of *The Hemingway Thief*
The backstory of this debut novel by Shaun Harris is based on one of the most legendary literary heists of all time. According to lore (see here, here, or here, for example), in December of 1922 — 101 years ago! … Continue reading
Random book dispenser
What would Borges say? Props to JiveMonkey for the pic.
Eduardo Galeano updates his priors!
It is a rare event indeed when an academic or other public intellectual is intellectually honest and updates his or her priors. Consider the case of Eduardo Galeano, a leading Latin American intellectual. Larry Rother of the NY Times writes: For … Continue reading
Undiluted Hocus-Pocus
That is the title of Martin Gardner’s autobiography. Mr Gardner, who wrote the popular Mathematical Games column for Scientific American for 25 years, is one of our intellectual heroes and role models. Here are three of our favorite excerpts from his last book: 1. … Continue reading
prior probability 