Published in Road Without End·Nov 20, 2022Member-onlyThe Famous Butterfly Dream of Taoist Philosophy“Once before, Chuang-Tzu dreamt of being a butterfly, gaily butterflying and himself embodied in this sense of purpose! He knew nothing of Chuang-Tzu. Suddenly awakening, he then is rooted in Chuang-Tzu. He doesn’t know if Chuang-Tzu dreamt being a butterfly or a butterfly is dreaming being Chuang-Tzu — though there…Philosophy6 min readPhilosophy6 min read
Published in Road Without End·Aug 21, 2022Member-onlyWhat Is Philosophy?12 Answers by 12 Philosophers — I generally enjoy reading and writing about philosophy. I think it helps me think more clearly and it sharpens my mind. I also feel it keeps me focused on the important stuff in life. This week, though, I’ve been a little more stressed than usual, and I was thinking about…Philosophy5 min readPhilosophy5 min read
Published in Road Without End·Aug 17, 2022Member-onlyThe Power of Music According to Plato and AristotleWhy did the Greeks believe music is so powerful? — The Ancient Greek philosophers thought that music had an incredibly powerful effect on us. It can teach us how to be better people, it can give us relief from overwhelming emotions, and it can help us relax after a stressful day at work. In Edward Lippman’s Musical Thought in Ancient…Philosophy5 min readPhilosophy5 min read
Published in Road Without End·Mar 12, 2022Member-onlyWilliam James’ Pragmatic Philosophy of Healthy-Minded Spirituality and Sick-Souled ReligionHow two opposite approaches to spirituality can both be valid — Have you ever been told to stop overthinking things? To stop dwelling on every negative aspect of your life? That if you were to just think positive thoughts, they would manifest in reality and you’d end up being happy without much effort? This attitude is what William James, the “Father…Spirituality10 min readSpirituality10 min read
Published in Road Without End·Feb 21, 2022Member-only43 Pieces of Advice From an Ancient Egyptian Vizier to His SonThe Maxims of Ptahhotep (circa 2350 BC) — Around the year 2350 BC, a man named Ptahhotep was vizier to the pharaoh of ancient Egypt. The vizier was the highest ranking official in ancient Egyptian “government”, and usually the right-hand man of the pharaoh. …Philosophy8 min readPhilosophy8 min read
Published in Road Without End·Jan 15, 2022Member-onlyAzazeel by Youssef Ziedan — A Short ReviewOne of the most popular and controversial books in the Middle East, about a 5th century Egyptian monk who gets tangled up in religious conflicts wherever he goes — I remember years ago reading somewhere on the internet that Azazeel was the second best-selling book of the 21st century in the Middle East. The number one best-seller, naturally, being the Quran. It was one hell of a recommendation, if the opinion of the masses is anything to go by.Fiction4 min readFiction4 min read
Published in Road Without End·Jul 31, 2021Member-onlyWho Triggered World War I and the Fall of Troy?When Serbian Rebel Gavrilo Princip and Pandaros of the Trojan army shot their powerful victims — It’s hard to say why wars happen. The words dispute and conflict get thrown around a lot. It might be a territorial dispute over a piece of land that starts a war, or a conflict over who has the right to rule it. …War7 min readWar7 min read
Published in Road Without End·Jul 21, 2021Member-onlyThe Difference Between Stoicism And ChristianityIt’s the way in which they accept the universe as it is, says William James — Christianity and Stoicism have one important thing in common, they both insist on a radical acceptance of everything that happens. You see, it’s not always easy to accept the world as it is. We all have our fair share of troubles. …Philosophy4 min readPhilosophy4 min read
Published in Road Without End·Jul 19, 2021Member-onlyFour Ways People Fall In LoveFrom Ibn Hazm’s 1022AD treatise on love, The Ring of the Dove — This if I win, the earth’s expanse, And all mankind, are but as dust, Yea, the wide world’s inhabitants Are flies that crawl upon its crust. Ibn Hazm, translated by A.J. Arberry Ibn Hazm, an Islamic polymath of the 11th century, conceptualised love in a way similar to the idea…Love5 min readLove5 min read
Published in Road Without End·Jul 19, 2021Member-onlyThe Zen of FliesStay open to feedback, put things into perspective, and pay attention. — Is there a more annoying creature known to mankind than the common housefly? Less disgusting than a roach, but more aggressive. Less erratic than a spider, but more mobile. It’s as small and insignificant as they come, but if persistent enough, it can still spoil a pleasant summer afternoon. Hate…Self7 min readSelf7 min read
