Category Archives: reason

The Big Lie and the Truth

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Matthew Phillips

“I know it is the fashion to say that most of recorded history is lies anyway. I am willing to believe that history is for the most part inaccurate and biased, but what is peculiar to our own age is … Continue reading →

Posted in George Orwell, grammar, philosophy, reason | Leave a comment

Universal Nature and Injustice

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Injustice is sin. When universal Nature has constituted rational creatures for the sake of each other–to benefit one another as deserved, but never to harm–anyone contravening her will is clearly guilty of sin against the oldest of the gods: because … Continue reading →

Posted in justice, Marcus Aurelius, reason | Leave a comment

Reason and Wisdom

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“The creature of foresight, wisdom, variety, keenness, memory, endowed with reason and judgement, which we call man, was created by the supreme god to enjoy a remarkable status.  Of all the types and species of living creatures he is the … Continue reading →

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Cicero on Reason’s Guidance

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“To sum up: when undertaking any action, we must hold fast to three things. First, impulse must obey reason; nothing is more suited to ensuring the observance of one’s duties than that. Secondly, we must keep in mind the importance … Continue reading →

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The Drunken Effects of Reading

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Reading sharpens perception, adds new dimensions of understanding, kindles an ardent desire to learn, affords fluency, warms the lukewarm enthusiasm of the mind, casts out sluggishness, tears away the web of lust, excites groans of the heart, coaxes forth tears, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, Learning, reading, reason, wisdom | Leave a comment

Locke on Parents, Children, Liberty, and Natural Law

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“55. Children, I confess, are not born in this full state of equality, though they are born to it.  Their parents have a sort of rule and jurisdiction over them when they come into the world, and for some time … Continue reading →

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Martin Luther on the Source of Reason and Intellect

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“It is amazing that the evangelist St. John is able to discuss such sublime and weighty matters in such plain and simple language.  He wants to say the Son of God draws so close to men that He is their … Continue reading →

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Humanity as God’s Creation

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Nature, that is, God, made man a composite of two parts, one celestial and divine, the other most beautiful and noble among mortal things.  He provided him with a form and a body suited to every sort of movement, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Leon Battista Alberti, memory, reason, Renaissance | Leave a comment

Erasmus on Reason, Speech, and Friendship

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Man possesses a unifying principle in the fact that he is molded to the same figure and form and endowed with the same power of speech.  Whereas beasts differ in the variety of their shapes, man is identical with fellow … Continue reading →

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The Difference between Human Nature and Beasts

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“From the beginning nature has assigned to every type of creature the tendency to preserve itself, its life and body, and to reject anything that seems likely to harm them, seeking and procuring everything necessary for life, such as nourishment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, nature, reason | Leave a comment