Paper Presentation for the International Graduate Conference, Essex

I was pleased to learn that a paper I wrote on the question of human finitude in Hegel and Paul Ricoeur was accepted for presentation at University of Essex's 10th International Graduate Conference. The title of the conference is "G. W. F. Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit: After 200 Years." The keynotes are Dr. Karin de Boer from Groningen, presenting "Hegel's Antigone and Tragedy of Cultural Difference." As well as the University's own, Dr. Wayne Martin, who will be presenting on "Hegel's Failed Confessional Enterprise." I will therefore be traveling to England (actually returning!) at the end of April to participate in this one day conference.

Official conference literature has just been posted recently. A colleague of mine at Duquesne, Jim Bahoh, was also accepted, which certainly puts the Duquesne philosophy program in good light for those attending.

I put online the original copy of my paper. The one being presented will be a revised version of this one. I will put that revised copy up when it is completed.

Hilary Clinton: "All Things to All People"?

Although these ambivalent words of St. Paul have always been the source of much theological controversy and difference of interpretation, it is at least safe to say he did not mean by them what seems to be the campaign policies of most politicians nowadays: radical indifference.

It occurred to me, after hearing Hilary Clinton's response when the question of the immorality of homosexuality was directly posed to her, "I'm going to leave that to others to conclude," that our democratic governmental system has rendered our politicians utterly incapable of holding any definite position on these kinds of issues. Those running for office, especially presidency, are so inclined toward winning votes that it stifles any evaluation of issues the public need to know precisely to make their vote. This is especially the case given the cultural diversity in America. Indeed, though Hilary is probably more inclined toward expressing that homosexuality is not immoral, she couldn't even take this position, no doubt knowing of whom even this would offend.

But it's more than a question about the immorality of homosexuality, its about having a president who will actually stand for something. Our ostentatiously indifferent politicians do not help the situation, for it only concretizes all the more this countries partisan split; they end then not even being "all things to all people."