There are those who believe there are two types of people, wolves and sheep. According to this view, we are divided into two camps: predators and prey. In the animal world, this commonly is true, populations of prey vastly outnumbering predators. These large populations support... Continue

Justice relies upon blame, and blame relies upon declaring effective cause. Effective cause is one of four types of causation, according to Plato, the others being material cause, formal cause and total cause. When to comes to matters of human affairs, effective cause is the... Continue

The soaring melody of a mockingbird's song, the terrible cries of a small child being separated from parents seeking asylum; is it possible to reconcile experiences of such beauty and horror? Openness to and awareness of the world that surrounds us simultaneously exhilarates and wounds;... Continue

Strangely, it seems as if the very forces that could bring us together are tearing us apart. Internationally, the ability to communicate globally and establish common ground is giving way to fragmentation and isolationist policies. Nationally, the values of liberty and equality are giving way... Continue

Is truth real? What truth do we know, and how do we know it? Humankind has been asking these questions for a very long time and, big surprise, we're no closer than ever on agreeing on answers. If anything, our scientific age inclines us not... Continue

Many people feel that politics is a bore and during most days, such people don't think about politics at all; it's just not that important to them. They get up and go to work to pay the bills for food, clothing and shelter, and as... Continue

Seeking ecstasy in everyday life fuels consumption of drugs, alcohol and food, prompts gambling, high-risk behavior, and sexual adventure. All these things excite and stimulate, prompting the release of endorphins, hormones which lessen pain and produce pleasurable sensations. Yet, even pain is connected to ecstasy.... Continue

Why do people seek ecstasy, those moments of "getting out" of ourselves--getting high? Biochemically, ecstasy can be explained; receptor sites on brain cells connect to natural and man-made substances which reduce pain, and produce sensations and feelings we find pleasurable and relieving. In other words,... Continue

For as long as science can tell, humanity has always liked to get high. Between naturally occurring endorphins which stimulate pleasure centers in the brain and substances found in nature (and now chemistry) which act upon those same pleasure centers, getting high is inextricably linked... Continue