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15Thinking tools: The gambler's fallacy: Law Thinking toolsThink 2 (5): 51-52. 2003.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously. Here we get to grips with an everyday reasoning error: the gambler's fallacy.
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554Evidence, Miracles, and the Existence of JesusFaith and Philosophy 28 (2): 129-151. 2011.The vast majority of Biblical historians believe there is evidence sufficient to place Jesus’ existence beyond reasonable doubt. Many believe the New Testamentdocuments alone suffice firmly to establish Jesus as an actual, historical figure. I question these views. In particular, I argue (i) that the three most popular criteria by which various non-miraculous New Testament claims made about Jesus are supposedly corroborated are not sufficient, either singly or jointly, to place his existence bey…Read more
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21Thinking tools. Fallacy: Two wrongs make a right: Law thinking toolsThink 7 (19): 71-71. 2008.Thinking tools is a regular feature that offers tips and pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously.
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32The God of Eth: Law The God of EthThink 3 (9): 13-26. 2005.A dialogue investigating whether the usual religious defences of belief in God are really up to the job
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39Just knowingThe Philosophers' Magazine 56 (56): 51-57. 2012.I remain entirely unconvinced that anyone who claims to “just know” that the dead walk among us, or that God exists, knows any such thing. Not only do I think the rest of us have good grounds for doubting their experience, I don’t believe it’s reasonable for them to take their own experience at face value either.
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67Thinking tools: The genetic fallacyThink 5 (13): 23-24. 2006.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces tips and pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously
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111Honderich and the curse of epiphenomenalismJournal of Consciousness Studies 13 (7-8): 61-70. 2006.Article
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79Thinking tools: The bandwagon fallacyThink 4 (12): 111-111. 2006.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces tips and pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously
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12Thinking Tools 2: Superstition and the Miser's Favourite: Law Thinking toolsThink 1 (2): 99-101. 2002.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously. Here we get to grips with two everyday reasoning errors.
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20Rape is a sex act: Law rape is a sex actThink 8 (21): 69-70. 2009.In the preceding piece, Timothy Chambers agrees with some feminists that “rape is not a sex act”. Here, I briefly defend the view that, whatever else rape is, it is, indeed, a sexual act. Timothy will reply in another piece
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45What's wrong with gay sex?Think 2 (5): 53-68. 2003.Mr Jarvis, a Christian, was asleep in bed, dreaming of the Last Judgement. In his dream, Jarvis found himself seated next to God in a great cloud-swept hall. God had just finished handing down judgement on the drunkards, who were slowly shuffling out of the exit to the left. Angels were now ushering a group of nervous-looking men through the entrance to the right. As the men were assembled before Him, God began to speak
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231: Celebrity Endorsements and a Salesperson's Trick: Law Thinking toolsThink 1 (1): 77-79. 2002.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces tips and pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously. Here we get to grips with two everyday reasoning errors.
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16Thinking tools: The relativist fallacy: Law Thinking toolsThink 3 (9): 57-58. 2005.Thinking Tools is a regular feature that introduces tips and pointers on thinking clearly and rigorously.
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212Five private language argumentsInternational Journal of Philosophical Studies 12 (2): 159-176. 2004.This paper distinguishes five key interpretations of the argument presented by Wittgenstein in Philosophical Investigations I, §258. I also argue that on none of these five interpretations is the argument cogent. The paper is primarily concerned with the most popular interpretation of the argument: that which that makes it rest upon the principle that one can be said to follow a rule only if there exists a 'useable criterion of successful performance' (Pears) or 'operational standard of correctn…Read more
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134The Meaning of LifeThink 11 (30). 2012.This is an article that explores the question "what is the meaning of life?" particularly with respect to humanism and theism. It defends a humanist position, and refutes a number of arguments for the conclusion that a meaningful human existence requires the existence of God
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10Just knowingThe Philosophers' Magazine 56 51-57. 2012.I remain entirely unconvinced that anyone who claims to “just know” that the dead walk among us, or that God exists, knows any such thing. Not only do I think the rest of us have good grounds for doubting their experience, I don’t believe it’s reasonable for them to take their own experience at face value either.