Claims like 'Slavery is wrong' are not fully common-sensical, so they must be at least partly theoretical.

The Epicureans denied that the gods had created the world and also denied that they played any role in it.

The higher the coefficient of inequality (Gini coefficient) in a society, the worse things tend to be for those at the bottom.

I have to say that some philosophers such as the late Bernard Williams, and I would include myself in this group, would say that tranquillity is overrated as the goal of life.

We have to gamble, and sometimes lose as George Ainslie argues; this keeps the appetite for life sharp.

'Contract' succeeded 'status' as the basic organising principle in modern political vs. ancient society.

Atomism had no absolute 'above' and 'below' and no such rulers, so favoured the undersranding of justice as an agreement amongst equals.

Epicurus thought of justice as an agreement to prevent people harming and being harmed.

Epicurus was not at all interested in what we would call the problems of mass society, and he thought civic politics was just trouble and to be avoided by the wise.

The (atomic) soul is mortal, and the best life is the one with the least pain and the most pleasure.

I think we do have a better understanding now of how moral thought and discourse function.

Life is a dance dream.

Rnesh karr slithis, " I hissed back, which was Draconic for eat your own tail, the dragon version of go screw yourself. No extra translation needed.

It's hardware that makes a machine fast. It's software that makes a fast machine slow.

I've had an incredible life with a lot of triumphs, my share of heartbreak, and some pretty amazing experiences.

I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes

When you're sick, you present your medicare card, not your credit card.

You'll always be two steps behind me.

I'm on Governor Gray Davis' California Alliance Towards Education to bring the arts back to high schools.

I'm a bit of a gourmet chef. I love cooking - mostly Thai food.

Surely there is something in madness, even the demoniac, which Satan flees, aghast at his own handiwork, and which God looks on in pity.