Daily Archives: May 25, 2024

Wisecracks: Humor and Morality in Everyday Life

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Luke Ford

Philosopher David Shoemaker writes in his new book: * The funniness in jokes is found primarily in their logical or semantic structure. Many writers like to point to the incongruity of jokes as the source of their funniness, perhaps involving … Continue reading →

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Advanced Introduction to Nationalism

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Luke Ford

Liah Greenfeld writes in this 2016 book: * The worth of the nation—the psychological gratification afforded by national identity and therefore its importance—is related to the experience of dignity by wide and ever widening sectors of humanity. The remarkable quality … Continue reading →

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Nationalism and the Mind: Essays on Modern Culture

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Luke Ford

Here are excerpts from Liah Greenfeld’s essay on nationalism and religion published in this 2006 collection: * Both essentially secular nationalism and the transcendental religions are ways to interpret – that is, invest with meaning – otherwise meaningless reality, providing … Continue reading →

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Nationalism: A Short History

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Luke Ford

Liah Greenfeld writes in this 2019 book: * [W]hen it comes to our core ideals of equality and respect owed to every human being, a mere suggestion that these ideals may be denied arouses our wrath. We firmly believe that … Continue reading →

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Can You Lose Your Native Tongue?

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Luke Ford

When you speak one language, you think and feel differently than when you speak a different language. Lian Greenfeld wrote in her 2016 Advanced Introduction to Nationalism: “Language, above everything else, is the medium of thinking, thinking representing the explicitly … Continue reading →

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