Philosophy

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Current Studies:

Although I already have a B.A. (1997) in Philosophy from the University of Saskatchewan, I recently upgraded my 3 year degree to a 4 year Honours degree (2005).

For fall 2005 I am enrolled in the M.A. Program at the University of Saskatchewan, working toward a Masters degree in Philosophy.

What's been on my mind: (as of November 14, 2004)

Given the present state of the world, I have been wrestling with the question of how humanity will be able to have a sustainable future on this planet. Although I do not have a full thesis worked out, I have come to believe that religious ideology is the root of many of our problems and must be abandoned if the human race (and indeed all life on the planet) is to continue to evolve and prosper. This type of dogmatic thinking, embodied by such disparate examples as the G.W. Bush administration in the U.S., and Islamic fundamentalists in the Middle East, can only lead to an marked increase in human suffering along with the desecration of the planet.

As a species, humans show great promise due to our inherent capacity for reason. However, unfortunately, we are too often driven by our animal nature, rather than our intellect. Through ignorance, fear, and mass manipulation, people around the world are coerced into supporting undesirable, oppressive, imperialistic ideologies, rampant consumerism, and ill-conceived religions. Often those who desire control appeal to the inherent human weakness of our primitive emotions, and not to our sense of reason. In order to see things clearly, we need to maintain vigilant awareness of our own failings, as well as the stark realities of the world around us. It's an arduous task for sure, but a necessary one, unless we welcome the prospect of extinction.

Rather than blindly following religious dogma, we should inform ourselves with science, and use reason to guide our actions. Only by using the best available knowledge can we hope to make intelligent decisions. Religion cannot hope to provide such knowledge, and in fact is an impediment to our acquiring truth about the nature of reality. Such barriers must be eliminated if we have any hope of leaving our superstitious past behind to move toward a rationally guided future.

Superstition, folklore, myths, and mysticism served their purpose in the dark times of the past when we were unenlightened. And although science has disproven so many of these false beliefs, they still persevere. How can anyone today honestly argue that creationism is a viable scientific theory that should be taught in schools? The prevalence of such mass ignorance is suprising, and frankly, depressing. I want to have hope for the humans, but I'm not so sure....