Physics, Metaphysics, and Pedagogy
Here, I am proposing a new subject that needs to be taught by physicists.
The subject is not part of physics but is about physics. In
fact it could be entitled What Physics is About.
The article is difficult to write because it tries to describe many components
of a large and deep subject. It must explain why the subject
is necessary, why it should be taught by physicists as opposed
to philosophers who now teach it, and it explains how I would teach
the course if only to give substance to what would otherwise remain
generalities. I find it hard to judge how intelligible all this is,
and hope reader's comments will give me some guidance.
The article is now undergoing its third complete rewrite.
I have so far rewritten only an introductory
section describing the overall reason What Physics is About
needs to be taught. Further sections will be added as they are
completed.
Physics, Metaphysics, and Pedagogy
Redemption
This is an essay on the religious meaning of Israel.
I have written a Preface to it:
Preface to Redemption
And the essay itself is:
Redemption
Judt and Juditism
Tony Judt wrote an article in the New York
Review of Books in September of 2003 which excited a great deal
of adverse comment from supporters of Israel. Judt, in effect,
told the Jews to forget about having a Jewish State. His argument
led me to organize some thoughts about the Jewish People in general--why
their survival is important to them, and why it should be important
to others. That is what the essay is about.
I wrote it first for myself,
because I wanted to clarify for thoughts that I had been struggling
with over many years. Second, I want to make it available to my grandchildren,
so that when they become old enough to understand these things,
they could get to know their grandfather in a way that I never got
to know mine (and wish I did). Finally. I would like it to be read
by anyone seriously interested in the meaning of the Jewish people.
Judt and Juditism
Courage
I posted this on IsraPundit because of an email I received
about the despair being felt by so many Israelis. It also introduces
Maurice Samuel to readers. I am going to relate his insights to current
events whenever possible.
Courage
Liberating the Fellah
An IsraPundit post using Maurice Samuel's work to relate
events in the MidEast today to those of 70 years ago.
Liberating the Fellah
Tough
An analysis of the complaints of morally sensitive Jew.
Tough
The Death of Yassin and the Limits of Rationalism
An discussion of rationalistism as it is often applied to human affairs.
Rationalism