The classical Islamic scholar, theologian, and jurist, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, writes on God's divine wisdom (he calls it "dazzling wisdom") and uses it to answer the classic problem of evil question. He argues that there is no absolute evil and that things are not evil in-and-of-themselves. Instead, there is relative evil, and that things seen … Continue reading Book Review: Zulhaqem Zulkifli on ‘On Divine Wisdom and the Problem of Evil’ →

Alexander Saxton considers 4 institutions, science and technology, governments of nation-states, the industrial apparatus and religion with its institutional attachments, as potential sources to avert and overcome the impending crises that are to beset mankind. The first, he argues, lacks power to implement its knowledge, whilst the next two are too entrenched in the industrial … Continue reading Book Review: Zulhaqem Zulkifli on ‘Religion and the Human Prospect’ →

"The snowflake doesn't feel guilt for the avalanche." Jon Ronson writes in the style of an investigative journalist narrative, interviewing people who have been shamed on social media for transgressions. His writing highlights to us the complex mechanics of shame, the ethics of shame and questions the legitimacy of certain shaming practices. I think most … Continue reading Book Review: Zulhaqem Zulkifli on ‘So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed’ →

Titanism is an extreme form of humanism in which human beings take on divine attributes and prerogatives. The author surveys and evaluates explicit forms of Spiritual Titanism in major world traditions - the Jaina, Samkhya, Yoga traditions, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, and does some comparative references to a Nietzschean framework, which foregrounds the comparative endeavour. … Continue reading Book Review: Zulhaqem Zulkifli on ‘Spiritual Titanism’ →