In Chaucer’s day, there were just two recognised classes: the nobility (which included the higher clergy) and the common people (who were simply defined by being not-noble). You will come […]
Topic: ‘governing ideas’
Some ideas which govern our behaviour—and maybe shouldn’t
The three economic classes
Political labels (‘left’ and ‘right’)
Since we are profoundly affiliative creatures, we are attracted to labels. Most are labels which would be rejected by the political group identified. It’s unlikely, for example, that a group […]
‘Mental health’
Between school and Oxford, I borrowed a recently published book from the local library:Â The Myth of Mental Illness, by Thomas Szasz. It has achieved some fame over the years, and […]
‘Sex’ and ‘gender’
I have included sex as a driving force in human life among my “demon drivers.” This is about ‘sex’ (and therefore ‘gender’) as a classification. President Trump recently declared, “there are […]
Capitalism—doomed or simply ill?
Herbert Hoover, when President of the USA, famously said, “The trouble with Capitalism is the capitalists—they’re too damn greedy.” This is not just a frustrated man letting off steam. It […]
If not capitalism, what?
As alternatives to capitalism go, there are interesting, if not compelling, arguments for anarchy. Otherwise, the most popular alternatives are socialism and communism. Communism isn’t actually on offer anywhere, except […]
Who am I? (Who are you?)
I’m a person, aren’t I? But how long have I been this person? John Donne, when looking for excuses (‘today’) for breaking a love promise (made ‘yesterday’) included in his […]