•  65
    Negative Happiness
    Kritike 3 (1): 72-77. 2009.
    In this paper, I will compare the philosophies of the Buddha and Epicurus. Unusual? Yes. But my intention herein is not a general comparison; rather, I want to explore to what extent these two men accepted what I call “negative happiness.” What is negative, and by extension, positive, happiness? I think we can prepare ourselves for this distinction with two analogous distinctions: the distinction between positive and negative freedom, wherein positive freedom sees true freedom as internal contro…Read more
  •  43
    The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott
    with Ashley Barkman and Nancy Kang
    Lexington Books. 2013.
    The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott, edited by Adam Barkman, Ashley Barkman, and Nancy Kang, brings together eighteen critical essays that illuminate a nearly comprehensive selection of the director’s feature films from cutting-edge multidisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Each chapter’s approach correlates with philosophical, literary, or cultural studies perspectives. Using both combined and single-film discussions, the contributors examine a wide variety of topics including gend…Read more
  •  25
    Comparisons betw western philosophies are uncommon and this, among other things, hinders global philosophical discourse. Thus, in this essay I want to compare the philosophies of the Buddha and Epicurus for similarities, particular in regard to what I call "negative happiness." Once I have establish this, I want to give a brief critique of negative happiness, which subsequently amounts to a selective critique of Buddhism and Epicureanism.
  •  15
    Was epicurus a buddhist? An examination and critique of the theories of negative happiness in buddha and epicurus
    Ethic@ - An International Journal for Moral Philosophy 7 (2): 287-294. 2008.
    Comparisons betw western philosophies are uncommon and this, among other things, hinders global philosophical discourse. Thus, in this essay I want to compare the philosophies of the Buddha and Epicurus for similarities, particular in regard to what I call "negative happiness." Once I have establish this, I want to give a brief critique of negative happiness, which subsequently amounts to a selective critique of Buddhism and Epicureanism
  •  11
    Sweetman, R. [Promotor]
  •  5
    Q: A Rude, Interfering, Inconsiderate, Sadistic Pest—on a Quest for Justice?
    with Kyle Alkema
    In Kevin S. Decker & Jason T. Eberl (eds.), The Ultimate Star Trek and Philosophy, Wiley. 2016.
    The nearly omnipotent character known only as “Q” dramatically enters the Star Trek universe when he puts all humanity in the person of Captain Jean‐Luc Picard, on trial in the first episode of TNG. Acting as self‐professed prosecutor, judge, and jury, Q promises Picard an “absolutely equitable” trial, only to coerce Picard into pleading “guilty” by threatening to kill his crew. Q could be like the “Leviathan” of Thomas Hobbes (1588‐1679), an absolute sovereign who has the power to keep people f…Read more
  •  3
    Xenomorphs and the Benefits of Exposure to Violence as Education
    with Sabina Tokbergenova
    In Jeffrey Ewing & Kevin S. Decker (eds.), Alien and Philosophy, Wiley. 2017.
    Nowadays, many parents want to limit their children's exposure to violence, believing it is harmful to them. The Greek philosopher Plato would have agreed that violent media should not be completely avoided. In the Republic, he depicts Socrates as arguing that men and women should take children to war so that they can observe and act as their apprentices. Aliens validates Socrates in its depiction of Newt, a perfect example of how violence can shape a child into a strong and rational person. New…Read more
  •  3
    This book looks at the television saga Downton Abbey to explore a variety of interpersonal issues that are still relevant today. This includes the emotional importance of particular places; how war and epidemics tell us about life in peacetime and in good health; as well as manners, women's roles, class and more.
  •  3
    Superman
    In Mark D. White (ed.), Superman and Philosophy, Wiley. 2013.
    The superman in the works of Nietzsche and the first Super‐Man short story is a literal anti‐Christ, but over the years, he became nothing less than the ultimate Christ figure. Nietzsche argued that God does not exist and there is no objective moral law. While this may at first be terrifying news, it makes possible a new, superior type of man: the Übermensch or superman. We can see that Jesus is far from Nietzsche’s superman. Nietzsche’s superman thinks himself brave for rejecting notions like p…Read more
  •  2
    Guardians and Tyrants in the Republics of Star Wars and Plato
    with Kyle Alkema
    In Jason T. Eberl & Kevin S. Decker (eds.), The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy, Wiley. 2015.
    This chapter discusses the role played by guardians and tyrants in Star Wars. The Jedi align themselves with the light side of the Force, while the Sith align themselves with the dark side. Although the Jedi are guardians of the galaxy, they refrain from ruling directly, acting as willing servants of the Old Republic. In Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala demonstrate the trajectory of Plato's thinking when they engage in a semi‐serious debate about the politics of the Rep…Read more
  •  2
    Wonder Woman
    with Sabina Tokbergenova
    In Jacob M. Held (ed.), Wonder Woman and Philosophy, Wiley. 2017.
    This chapter looks at how Wonder Woman uses just torture in order to save innocent people. Some people would deny that what Wonder Woman does with her golden lasso is torture. Evidently, when Wonder Woman uses her golden lasso on captured criminals to thwart some potential harm, she is exercising a form of just or righteous torture. The first ticking bomb scenario is in the pilot episode of the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series, which was set during World War II. The second ticking bomb scenario is i…Read more
  •  2
    Is a Tattoo a Sign of Impiety?
    In Fritz Allhoff & Robert Arp (eds.), Tattoos – Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley‐blackwell. 2012.
    This chapter contains sections titled: Dispelling a Confusion ‘You Shall Not Make … Any Marks Upon Yourselves: I Am YHVH’ ‘You Are Not Your Own … Therefore Honor God with Your Body’ ‘We Must Not Injure Our Bodies: This Is the Beginning of Filial Piety’ The Christian Confucian Confusion.
  •  1
    Does the Piano Play Itself?
    In James South & Kimberly Engels (eds.), Westworld and Philosophy, Wiley-blackwell. 2018.
    The first season of Westworld the has recurring image of a piano which is capable of playing its own keys and pedals. Robert Ford's error demonstrates how our common‐sense view of consciousness has been incorporated into the way we think and even speak about the ourselves and others. When we look at ourselves and those around us, we use rather common‐sense concepts to explain or understand human behavior and action. Dennett believes that what we conceive as consciousness, from our common sense, …Read more
  • Book Review (review)
    Philosophia Christi 10 (1): 262-265. 2008.
  • The Philosophy of Ang Lee (edited book)
    with Robert Arp and Nancy King
    University Press of Kentucky. 2013.