Category Archives: Philosophy

The Gold Bar Metaphor

Posted on November 18, 2012 by jackpelham

See this gold bar? Chances are, you’ve never seen one laying on a neighbor’s lawn.  Likewise, I’d say that chances are pretty good that if you had one, you wouldn’t keep it out our your lawn, either. And why not?

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Pelham’s Law of Cognitive Error

Posted on October 14, 2012 by jackpelham

Pelham’s Law of Cognitive Error:  “I am most likely wrong about many things.” Cognitive science has solidly identified certain traits of human behavior by which people operate habitually at a sub-optimal level.  We make frequent cognitive errors, some of which … Continue reading →

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A Walk in the Cemetery

Posted on August 22, 2012 by jackpelham

One of the late Stephen Covey’s famous “7 Habits of Highly Successful People” was “Start with the end in mind.”  He suggested that one should consider what he would like to have said about him at his funeral, and then … Continue reading →

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I was with you right up until…

Posted on August 15, 2012 by jackpelham

As I regularly discuss controversial topics with people, I’m often left to interpret the silence with which some people respond to certain logical challenges.  (I call this “crickets”, as in hearing nothing but the crickets chirping.)  Anyway, being always the … Continue reading →

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If You Haven’t Done the Math, You Don’t Really Know Anything!

Posted on June 29, 2012 by jackpelham

“He’s always late!” complains the boss.  It turns out, however, that he’s late 8% of the time over the last year.  But the boss doesn’t know the numbers; he’s content just to go with his perception. “Our church really follows … Continue reading →

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The Stunning Question

Posted on June 22, 2012 by jackpelham

Every once in a while, a simple and straight-forward question comes along that can have profound effects on the people who give it the consideration it deserves.  The question itself seems to separate people into different types, based upon how … Continue reading →

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On The Brink of Truth: Dabblers and Divers

Posted on June 16, 2012 by jackpelham

In my continual observation of the world, I note with sadness how it seems that a great many people have not made the commitment to immerse themselves in an uncompromised lifetime of truth.  They have somehow squelched, or someone else … Continue reading →

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Musing on the Psychological Challenges of Activism

Posted on June 14, 2012 by jackpelham

I observe that: Few people: can look beyond what they see in order to imagine a different way. are in the general habit of investigating/analyzing things. are interested in being authentic representatives of the labels they wear–provided that authenticity is … Continue reading →

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We Love Our Labels!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by jackpelham

I’m about to crack open a can of worms that can’t be fully dealt with in a single article.  This is a topic that has been strongly on my mind lately and it seems time at least to get it … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Consumerism, Paradigms, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Science | 1 Comment

How can I tell you?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by jackpelham

In a recent article, I posed the question “Should I tell you?“, regarding the situation in which I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about something, but am uncertain as to whether you will tolerate a discussion about it.  In this present … Continue reading →

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