Author Archives: arkadypyotrovich

Since we have undertaken to offer an unsystematic explanation for what will hopefully amount to almost a visible fraction of everything, we cannot neglect trees.

An apology for stoicism

That mass of worn stone you see sitting atop the rock is a castle. It is primarily a military device, though it is unfortunately so outdated that it is not only of no use, but a positive hindrance. Hence its dereliction. It has no use. You see the great gate of black iron? It isContinue reading “Castles and Castellans: A Debate”

I am sometimes asked why anyone would learn dead classical languages. Practically the only reason that there can be is, for the books. If you would seek out what reasonable and eloquent people have to say in different places, there is no reason not to seek out what reasonable and eloquent people have to sayContinue reading “Language Learning”

The above cat is usually quite pleasant, but like all cats he is a good actor. It may be asked, could any human being be happy living as a cat does, devoting their whole time to meticulously satisfying the necessities of life? But it may be answered that no one ever has. The cat perceivesContinue reading “Aphorisms by and about Cats”

Nero with his entourage of evil men, Arthur with an entourage of virtuous men. The people we see influence not only our behaviour, but also our worldviews.

A failed pessimist’s defence and reflections thereon.

We do not pray because prayer is psychologically beneficial, we pray because God hears prayers. Yet prayer is psychologically beneficial. Through it we express, and therefore strengthen, our emotions toward God and toward all the things we pray about – the church, the world, the creation and ourselves. Prayer is also intensely rational. You learnContinue reading “Observations on Prayer”

Reason’s unscientific contributions to history, humour and understanding.

If the old traditional philosophers are so often plain ridiculous, why do we still read them? Assorted thoughts in defense of traditional philosophers.