Contents
The Origins of Sexual Morality
Differences in Strictures Placed on Males and Females
The Variety of Intimate Connections
An Odd Activity
Can Sex be Addictive?
The Function of Sex
Procreation
The Conventions
The problem with Sex
Recreational Sex
Are STDs an Example of God's Wrath?
Dealing with STDs as a Social Problem
Limits of Social and Moral Tolerance
Sex and Love
Sex and Reproduction
Is Extinction Inevitable?
Response to the Threat of Extinction
Changes in Family Structure
Understanding the Environment
The Drake Equation - Are We Alone? What Threatens Our Environment?
So What is the Problem?
The Prophets of Doom
An Evaluation of Options
Cost/Benefit Considerations
How Much Environmental Protection?
What Should We Do?
Current Trends
Back to Basics
A Library of Life
Progress, Morality and the Ecology
Formulating Policies for the Future
What Do We Do in the Meantime?
Silva Rerum: Reprise
Quintessential Understanding of:
Government
Free Enterprise
Education
Equality
Energy
Religion
Sex
The Environment
The Law
Freedom
Conflict
Democracy
The Future
The Major Problems We Face:
Information
Education
Fanaticism
Lack of Purpose
What is Government?
Kinds of Leadership
The Fundamental Rule of Ruling
The Early Beginnings of Government
The Development of Republics
The Age of Dictatorships
Representative Democracies
Socialist Governments
The Struggle for Individual Rights
The Source of Power
The Constitution
The Irreducible Functions of Government
Fiscal Constraints
Controlling the Growth of Govt
Access to Elected Office
Rule-Making and Accountability
Assuring Access to Information
Evolution of Governments
Understanding Free Enterprise
The Division of Responsibilities
Free Markets and Political Freedom
Controlling Free Enterprise
Protecting against Misinformation
Protecting the Investors
Sanctions on Boards of Directors
Controlling Management
Protecting the Public
Creating Wealth in a Responsible Way
Decisions on Environmental Issues
Understanding Education
The Origins of Formal Education
The Rise of Mass Education
The Rise of Public Education
The Goals of Public Education
The Need for Heterogeneity
The Validation of Teachers
Boards of Education
Who will Teach the Principles?
The Dangers of Strict Conformity
The Essential Curriculum
Continuing Education
Thinking
The Role of Govt in Defining Content
The Future of Education
Understanding Equality
What do We Mean by Equality?
Fairness versus Equality
Accommodating Differences
Enforcement of Egalitarianism
Compulsory Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism and Bureaucracies
Variations on Equality
The Realities of Equality
Equality of Opportunity
Taking Care of the Disadvantaged
Defining Fairness
Variability of Talent
Quantifying Talent
The Fair and Just Society
Equality is Not the Same as Fairness
Understanding Energy
Energy is the Food of Civilizations
Problems with Energy Use
Energy Consumption
Sources of Energy
Petroleum Energy for Mobile Uses
Reducing Petroleum Demand
Protecting Mobile Energy Supplies
Solutions for Increasing Supply
International Risk Considerations
The Hydrogen Option
Long-Term Secure Sources of Energy
Power Distribution
Alternative Sources
The Nuclear Option
Nuclear Reactor Technology
Health and Safety Issues
Political Obstacles to Rational Behavior
Assuring Future Energy Supplies
Understanding Religion
A Moral Framework
The "God Hypothesis"
The Search for God
Science and Religion
Religion and Society
Organized Religion
Progress in Theology
Religious Laws
Concepts of God
Religious Schisms
The Essence of Religion
Why do We Seek God?
Free Will
The Concept of a Soul
The Concept of Right and Wrong
Relativism in God's Laws
Heaven and Hell
The Evolution of the Soul
Social Consequences of the Soul
Religion and Morality
What is God?
God's Purpose
God's Game
The Role of Prayer
Other Religious Exercises
Concepts of Good and Evil
Secularism: a New Form of Belief
Secularism vs. Religion