In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011. Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died today at the age of 62. Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 2010, just after the publication of his [...]
Hatred
You can read the Forward and Chapter 6 from A Convenient Hatred: The History of Antisemitism by Phyllis Goldstein here.
Cognitive Illusions
The New York Review of Books reviews Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. (Note: There will be an excerpt linked at the main site in the near future.)
Jewish Christian
Jews, Christians and Judaeo-Christians by Geza Vermes. The combined expression “Jewish Christian”, made up of two seemingly contradictory concepts, must strike readers not specially trained in theology or religious history as an oxymoron. For how can someone simultaneously be a [...]
Religious Evolution II
Yang Xiao continues his lengthy review (Part 1 linked here) of Religion in Human Evolution by Robert Bellah.
Roberts Court
The Roberts Court v. America by Jedediah Purdy. In the last few years, the Supreme Court and lower federal courts have shown a new hostility toward laws that regulate the economy and try to limit the effects of economic power. [...]
Nominees
Here are this year’s Golden Globe nominees for best picture: — Picture, Drama: “The Descendants,” “The Help,” “Hugo,” “The Ides of March,” “Moneyball,” “War Horse.” I have seen “The Help” and “Moneyball,” and will soon watch “The Ides of March.” [...]
Choosing
Choosing by Jeff Moskowitz. According to the Israeli government, there are roughly 5,800,000 religious Jews in Israel, 1,320,000 Muslims, 150,000 Christians, 130,000 Druze, and exactly one secular Jew. His name is Yoram Kaniuk—and if a new movement that he has [...]
Two Views
Why Evolutionary Psychology Is Unlikely to Be Wrong by Michael Price. Evolutionary psychology (EP) draws on theory from evolutionary biology in order to understand the design of the mind. EP’s influence has grown a great deal over the past two [...]