Today I walked past a well-groomed old man driving an awesome Jaguar convertible. Jaguars are my favorite sports car, and I felt a twinge of envy. Later at a fast food restaurant, an energetic teenager before me in line was counting out his coins, unsure if he had enough to pay for a cold drink. […]
A thought about real wealth Read More »
At the author’s request, I’ve removed this poem, which was originally published in the 1990s.
Joanne Lowery, “Brush” Read More »
In the Renaissance, there was a lively debate among artists and critics over which art form was the best. Cases were made for and against painting, sculpture, poetry, and music. To my mind, the debate is philosophically silly, but it is a fun and instructive exercise to compare the strengths and limitations of each art
The best art form — architecture version Read More »
Towers near LUC‘s downtown Water Tower campus. (Click images to enlarge.) And the view from my office window.
Our Love is Like a Bowling Ball Our love is like a bowling ball Like a brand new Brunswick Red Zone, It rolls and rolls down the alley of desire And rolls and rolls and rolls. I will keep you out of the gutters, my love And put my fingers in your holes Every kiss
The worst love poem ever? Read More »
Come to the edge he said. They said: we are afraid. Come to the edge he said. They came. He pushed them … and they flew. (Christopher Logue. Sometimes ascribed to Guillaume Apollinaire.)
One question on the final exam for my Philosophy of Art course asked students to identify the best or worst theorist of art we studied this semester. We devoted significant time to five major philosophers — Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and Rand — and discussed a few others along the way more briefly. In deciding
The best (and worst) philosophy of art Read More »
My lengthy journal article entitled “Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand” [pdf] is now publicly available for free at the Journal of Ayn Rand Studies‘ site. The abstract: “Philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand are often identified as strong critics of altruism and arch advocates of egoism. In this essay, Stephen Hicks argues that Nietzsche and
“Egoism in Nietzsche and Rand” at JARS Read More »