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Dietrich Bonhoffer
Educated, cultured, brothers became lawyers and engineers – perhaps as an act of rebellion studied theology! Thought about being a concert pianist but considered his fingers too fat. Saw a world “come of age”, like Nietzsche – no need for god anymore. And certainly not keen on religion as a crutch. Spent time in Harlem…
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Microaggression and victim culture
Honour cultures developed in pastoral societies, where your worldlygoods could simply be lifted one night and you would be left with nothing. Itwas important to show your readiness to defend and retaliate withforce. Scottish immigrants to America may have brought some of this withthem, particularly to the Southern States! But as civil society developed and…
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2 slips of paper
Rabbi Simcha Bunem of Pershyscha was said to carry two slips of paper, one in each pocket. On one he wrote: Bishvili nivra ha-olam—“for my sake the world was created.” On the other he wrote: V’anokhi afar v’efer”—“I am but dust and ashes.” He would take out each slip of paper as necessary, as a reminder to himself.
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Universalism and Nationalism
Montesquieu- I am a father, before I am a Parisian. I am a Parisian before I am a Frenchman. I am a Frenchman before I am a European. But in a virtuous world I would run to the aid of a stranger as readily as I would to the aid of a friend. We aspire…
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Kant's categorical imperative
What Kant calls a moral law that is universal. It was his attempt to develop moral philosophy on the basis of pure reason. He had already written “A critique of pure reason” in which he recognized that the existence of god and individual freedom were not able to be inferred from logic (despite efforts by Descartes,…
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Hannah Arendt
Grew up ignorant of her Jewishness until she heard anti-semiticism on the street in Berlin. Studied philosophy, loved the ancient Greeks. Had an affair with Heidegger, starting from when she was his student, but he was more existential (and later a Nazi supporter) whereas she became politically active as the Nazis gained power. She also…