Erraticus

A pragmatic approach to ideas. Home to Damn the Absolute! Join our newsletter:

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

@Ghost_Image_ School boards wrestle over conflicting visions of American history & how to address past & persistent racism.

Brad Elliott Stone & @goodson_jacob believe the answers reside in the philosophies of William James, Josiah Royce, MLK, and Cornel West.
https://t.co/7UBHw1BL8D

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

"Here, priority is given to who God is & where God can be found rather than what God can do. This type of faith leaves room for the unpredictable and the unorthodox. For many reconstructing, emotional safety & moral resonance trump doctrinal assurance." https://t.co/s6clBoT1bL

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

Since the French-Algerian philosopher Jacques Derrida first coined the term, deconstruction has taken on a variety of distinct meanings. Here, Patrick Wilson explores a new theological wrinkle: the Divine as a more morally relatable, albeit limited God.

https://t.co/s6clBoStmd

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

"Those who reconstruct often learn to separate God from people who claim to speak for the Divine. They develop a sense that God can make sufficient space for them even when pastors, friends, or religious texts cannot. They begin to trust again." https://t.co/s6clBoT1bL

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

"Both Shia metaphysics and [Henri] Bergson’s philosophy invite us to reimagine time—not as a sterile sequence of moments, but as a living reality saturated with presence," writes Sabahat Fida. https://t.co/DVfPLZviPs

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

In the first of three essays, Sabahat Fida reflects on the spiritual crisis of modern temporality—where time is measured with increasing precision, yet experienced with deepening alienation.

https://t.co/DVfPLZuKZU

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

"In Shia metaphysics, time is not monolithic. It unfolds across three ontological dimensions: zamān, the empirical time of clocks and calendars; dahr, an eternal, archetypal time; and sarmad, the timelessness of the divine." https://t.co/DVfPLZuKZU

[Amy @amytheartist]

Life is entropic, meaning everything is a fight against gradual decay. People know they have to actively fight against physical, mental, and spiritual decay.

If you don't exercise, your heart starts to decay and your muscles atrophy.

If you don't use your mind, your ability to study, think, and problem solve weakens.

If you don't engage in a spiritual practice, the soul starts to wither.

Very few people think about fighting social decay. If we don't regularly work against atomization and foster social connection, our social networks start to weaken and people separate.

People are lonely and overly online for a lot of reasons, but one of them is a lack of active social maintenance. It is easier to flip on a screen or order take out than it is to coordinate a gathering or a dinner party.

If you're around the age of 30 or older, you can probably remember a time before individualized screens when people were around more. People felt a lot closer together, visited each other more, etc, in part because people had no other option than to be around each other. Personalized media entertainment did not exist.

I often think about this article @willlowthewhisp wrote for @erraticusmag:

"Atomization has laid the groundwork for polarization, and if we want to solve the latter we must bring about conditions in which it cannot survive. Our increasing inability to stay close to friends and family makes it easier to pull us apart, to pit us against one another. You must stand against this in every way you can. By default people won’t reach out, so it will be up to you to do so. And you’ll have to keep going, and be persistent, even when your efforts aren’t reciprocated and you feel discouraged and alone.

Host dinner parties regularly and invite people you meet to them. Take on projects with friends and family that benefit both of you and contribute something to the world. When things break down and conflict arises, persist and work through it. Try to invest your energy in things you will keep, whether it be places, friends, homes, or institutions. I think moving to small towns near large cities will prove a promising strategy.

The point is, you must get to know people around you and work together to help one another grow and thrive."

https://t.co/qCUemozG3Z

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

"Our romantic choices have taken on a new level of individualism as the communal forces that have traditionally shaped our lives have been eroded," writes Anna Nunan. "For better or for worse." https://t.co/A4izYjBJ2g

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

In her debut book, poet Melanie Hyo-In Han explores her experiences as a third culture kid.

She was interviewed by fellow TCK and Erraticus contributor Iona McHaney Mercellino. https://t.co/2Z1UMMTNA5

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

@pragmatistrick Your contributions this past year are greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to more in 2024.

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

Our 2023 Readers' Choice Award goes to "On the Something There Is" by @pragmatistrick. https://t.co/h1adHtiwJD

[Rick Joines @pragmatistrick]

@erraticusmag Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down...

Thanks @erraticusmag for being a good neighbor and upsetting old stones and old sayings.

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

Erraticus experienced an increased number of blog posts responding to essay contributions, revealing readers’ eagerness to engage in meaningful dialogue.

See who the runners-up and award winners were.

-Read "2023 Erraticus Awards Announced."

https://t.co/PLye4K5eVY

[Jeffrey Howard | jeffrey-howard.bsky.social @Jeffrey_Howard_]

It's been a quiet year on Twitter for me, but I'm hoping y'all have a great 2024.

If you resonate with John Lachs' approach to pragmatism, or were fortunate enough to be one of his students, then I hope you'll appreciate this one.

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

Reflecting on the recent passing of philosopher John Lachs, @Jeffrey_Howard_ takes the opportunity to dig into Lachs' personal philosophy, stoic pragmatism, and why we should be contented with "good enough."

‘Good Enough’: 2023 Year in Review
https://t.co/mLTKBCDRHF

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

This year's Editors' Choice Award goes to @DonovanIrven for "Your Job and Cancer Are Nothing: Part II." https://t.co/wcr7g0yKqO

[Erraticus @erraticusmag]

Our 2023 Editors' Choice runner-up is "An Ironist Must Learn to Listen Poetically" by @ironick. https://t.co/85cZ5HgAoT