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132: Choice and The Law of Excluded Middle
One of the three fundamental laws that dictate formal logic is the law of excluded middle. In propositional logic it looks like this:
A v ~A
A or not A
In life, this looks like choice. When we are faced with a decision, we have the option to make a choice, or abdicate that choice. But what we don't have before us is the option to opt out.
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131: Exhortation: The Government Betrayed You, So What?
With great passion, people across the internet and the world will try to convince us not to trust the government. To some, this is a novel concept, but not to many. The assumption that we can trust something as vast and complicated as the government as a whole is itself a head-scratcher.
At the same time, from time to time, and for some, with increasing rapidity, we are seeing a breakdown of trust between the citizens and their government. To end there, however, is to be consumed by cynicism. Even when we are betrayed by one person, does it justify that we throw out all trust for all mankind?
And this applies to worldviews and beliefs as well. When we see the cracks in our own worldview, do we abandon any pursuit of a firm foundation?
That is the message in this Monday Exhortation: what to do when a failed foundation collapses beneath us.
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130: Angel Cortes // Gang Violence vs Ranger Battalion, and Community Building
When I joined the Army, I distinctly remember one man in basic training say that he had enlisted so that he could be a part of the biggest gang in America. "Why wear red or blue," he said, "when you could wear green."
Admittedly the scene felt a little stereotypical, and it didn't help that each of us was undergoing the culture shift from our hometowns to the Army.
But Gang life draws more mysticism from the unknowing and uninitiated than it does from those who have seen the inside, and left of their own accord. Angel Cortes, a fellow Ranger, community leader, and selfless kidney donor joins the REDACTED Culture Cast to talk about not only how his life has changed over the past decades, but what he came to understand about violence during that time.
The REDACTED Culture Cast is dedicated to add value to how we think about violence, be it in the form of ethical structures, or diligent discipline. And Angel Cortes has plenty to offer, if only we will listen.
Follow Angel Cortes on Instagram at @the_og_pumpkin
His Shop: www.ogpumpkin.com
And train with Defense Strategies Group at www.defensestrategies.us
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128: How We Think About Faith
Those of us millennials who grew up in the American church will likely find this sentiment familiar: we read of the faithlessness of the Israelites, shuddering at their unbelief in the presence of God, and then turn the page to apologetics which argues for the rationality of creationism over a naturalist origin story for the cosmos. It is not all too unfamiliar to confuse belief with faith in this sense, or at least see them as near synonyms. The consequences play out in our own lives as we struggle to do what is right, even when we know the right thing to do. And it rises to the level of our Western Culture with never-ending identity crises which take the public form in the shape Transgenderism and the decline of masculinity in the church. In order to solve this, within our own selves or in our culture, we must understand the relationship between faith, identity, and belief.
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126: Sovereignty
Both Politics and Theology place a heavy weight on the concept of sovereignty. Just like the idea of Human Rights, there's a difference between when these ideas began to see common use in history, and what we ground them in. It's one thing to claim that God is Sovereign, but it is another, entirely, to act accordingly.
The same goes with politics. In philosophy, we must distinguish between the story of how a concept or word came into use, and what that concept is grounded in. What is it that makes it real, as opposed to who discovered it.
And these ideas remain well below the trivial surface.
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127: TELOS
Telos, Teleology, and the question of what is the end goal? In addition to the existential crisis, which turns out to be the contemporary edition of such, we engage with the long lasting effects of what we believe to be right and true and good. The mid life crisis perfectly encapsulates the identity of the 80's husband. Only, we live decades later and have our own problems to bear.
Teleology remains the application of logic to what is to come.
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125: How to be a Christian in the Military
"How Can you Be a Christian in the Military?"
What kind of answer are you looking for? Are you looking for a worldview or a set of moral imperatives. Are you asking if it is possible for a man to be a Christian while they are in the Military, as if there were some inherent contradiction, or are you asking the question of "How then shall we live?" Because they are not the same.
Just War Theory deals with both of these premises. Whether you are looking for the Jus Ad Bellum answer or the Jus In Bellow one, just let us know.
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174
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124: Is Gun Culture Materialistic?
So as not to be mistaken for a trap, Betteridge's Law applies here.
There's a difference between materialism and accusing someone or some culture of being too materialistic. What we understand as Materialism is more akin to Naturalism, where as being Materialistic, is the placing of too much emphasis of objects as one's identity. A serious look at what it is typically portrayed as an unserious matter.
And if so, then what?
What drives Gun Culture? Is it the acquisition of possessions? The development of skill? Being prepared for some potential future? Is it the pursuit of virtue?
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157
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123: Dualism, Descartes, Plato, and The Mind
We stand on the shoulders of Giants, who have gone before us, as men, just like us, to try to understand what it true and what it means for a thing to be true. For Descartes, his Meditations on First Philosophy includes the line that divides the mind from the body. Since it is possible that our senses to be tricked, it is possible that all of our senses can be tricked at the same time. If that is true, how can we even know that we exist. And from this we get the line, "I think, therefore I am."
But this isn't the first time mankind has concerned itself with the mind-body distinction. Plato and his influence also depends on there being a difference between the idea of a thing, and the physical thing we interact with.
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147
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122: Euthyphro Dilemma and the Gods
The question asked by Socrates gets to the heart of how we think about who or what God is. Many of the arguments regarding God falter over childish descriptions, evoking imaginary characters, judgemental shirtless men, and an abundance of the word "empathy." So when Socrates asks about the relationship between the gods and goodness or holiness or piety, he forces the reader to sort out whether their idea of God is bound by some other force, and the consequences of such ideas.
And how we think about God impacts how we think about goodness, and in turn, morality, which, when it comes to potentially taking life, is something to take very seriously.
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121: The State of REDACTED, 2023
The singularity will change, the world will remain the same.
REDACTED is a strange conglomeration of those who know, and those who suspect.
As a result, the REDACTED Culture Cast is going to change.
The long form conversations will remain. In addition, there will be something of value for you to consider in your day-to-day. Philosophy exists in tension between the halls of academia and a sense of isolation from all of human life.
We will manage the expectations going forward.
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120: Ethan Walters on How to [Not] get Killed by the FBI
The events that took place in our recent history draw attention once again that there's a difference between the ideal when it comes to law enforcement, and our current reality. And although the political battle is still making hay for this side or that, we as a community have some things to discuss when it comes to the recent shooting of a Utah citizen.
Even if it's not as simple as the pundits make it out to be, event of this sort have ramifications, even if it's not in the way our cultural detractors would like it to be.
More importantly, we as the community ought come together on this matter, if not to bring up moral and legal challenges against those responsible for what took place, than certainly about what it means to look out for one another.
Ethan "Gypsy" Walters has brought art and inspiration to a whole wave of the new Gun Culture, and joins this episode for his third appearance. To check out his work head to
the House of Wolves. Or follow him on Instagram at @gypsywalters
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119: Clairvoyance and Achievement
The pursuit of Knowledge is its own reward, or so the saying goes. And although this saying might have some immediate motivating value for those engaging in academics, it rarely receives the treatment it deserves.
Clairvoyance is one of those words that, like enlightenment, receives more abuse than proper use. Particularly from hippies, fools, and pseudo-intellectuals. Alone, it comes to no good end, and might be a curse.
A great terror which haunts me is the fear of one day being granted the ability to see clearly, only to discover that I have intentionally blinded myself to avoid the tasks set before me.
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147
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118 Pt 1: Collin Underdahl on Dismantling Gossip
The funny thing about Gossip, is that, like murder or stealing, it's nearly a universally opposed activity, at least when others are doing it. While it may appear like one sharing confidence with another, it reveals that the intentions of the speaker are not all that moral, and takes wisdom to dismantle.
So, when we talk about news, or industry drama, we should ask ourselves if we are degrading ourselves and others by participating in Gossip.
Collin Underdahl can be found on Instagram at @collin_underdahl
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117: Godless Fools
The Fool Says in his heart "There is No God." With the slow collapse of the New Atheist movement in the background, we are made aware that the denial of God isn't as simple as some denial of a supernatural being. When one denies God, they defy the existence of anything that has power or authority over the consequences of one's actions.
Denial of God is the denial of a metaphysical reality and it isn't without consequences.
Denial of God is the denial of consequences, and can be easily understood as a child throwing a tantrum for getting caught.
Although there might have been a time when the New Atheist movement was considered intellectual, that day has passed. There is no going back.
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103
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116: Beau Doboszenski on The Casualty of Trust
Beau Doboszenski returns to address what might be the greatest casualty of the contemporary world: Trust. While it goes hand-in-hand with the Post-Information Age, this subject looks differently for those inside the group, than it does for those outside.
As we see trust breakdown between the citizens and the government, we are also witnessing a dissolving of trust within Gun Culture. The first may be expected given the infringements, but with each new day comes a new reason to be skeptical of even those in our midst.
Follow Beau and Defensive Mindset Training on Instagram at @dmtdefenders
Check out their library list of drills and training at defensivemindsettraining.com
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115 Pt 2: Ian Strimbeck on Fitness and Death
We've all likely heard it before: if you're not fit, you're going to die.
If that's the stick, what does the carrot of physical conditioning look like?
Some respond well to the stick, others to the carrot, so it can be argued that a good combination of both go a whole lot further.
Ian Strimbeck is the man behind RuneNation, providing training, philosophy, and if you search right, thought crimes.
Ian Strimbeck can be found on Instagram at: @runenationllc
Check out his writing and classes at runenationllc.com
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115 Pt 1: Ian Strimbeck of RuneNation: Contentment as Antidote to the Rat Race
We're all familiar with the Rat Race in Gun Culture. Call it Keeping Up with the Jones if you want, but the effect extends beyond gear. Got a rifle? Now you need to train with it. Train with your rifle? Now you need a plate carrier, then NODs, then lock picks, then radios and on and on and on.
At the same time, contentment can look an awful lot like complacency. Discernment will be necessary.
Ian Strimbeck can be found on Instagram at: @runenationllc
Check out his writing and classes at runenationllc.com
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69
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114: Ethan "Gypsy" Walters - One Lap in the Arena
Gypsy Walters in this episode that covers the breadth and depth of Gun Culture. So much has changed in the past decade within the circle: from people's participation, to gear, to personalities, to aspirations for the future. His work, from tattoos to illustrations can be found throughout.
He presents the idea of having "One Lap in the Arena" he addresses it from both looking forward, and backward. The classic microcosm in Gun Culture may be that day your skills will be tested, but when pulling back at one's life, the saying takes a deeper meaning.
Follow Ethan on Instagram at @gypsywalters
Art, Illustration, Tattoo Info, and more can be found at houseofwolvesslc.com
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113: In Defense of Gatekeeping
Admittedly it can be a semantic game, but when it comes to gatekeeping, the conversation within Gun Culture has become almost entirely one-sided. Call someone's behavior out as gatekeeping and the conversation's over. We see this elsewhere in society: losing the argument? Call your opponent a racist. Didn't get the position you wanted? Patriarchy.
In order to maintain integrity, we ought observe the appropriate use of the term Gatekeeping, and be sure we're not tearing down the standards that serve as the foundation of our community.
Closing Music: Genesee Avenue by Gost
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80
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112: Tribe and Tribalism, Community and Cult
Ten years ago "Tribe" led the charts as a buzzword. Today, the word is community. If it's a good thing, we call it being part of a tribe, if it is a bad thing, we call it tribalism. If it's a good thing, we call it a community, if it's a bad thing, we call it a cult.
Is the difference just that simple? Yes and No. Adding detail to our language enhances our ability to maneuver the world.
We live in a time where citizens, especially men, are starved for a sense of community. As a result, charlatans take advantage of that void to make a quick buck, to lure a quick con.
If our lives do not depend on our ability to navigate such things, our souls certainly do.
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93
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111: Principles in Tension
For fun, we are going to engage in one of those classic topics: Capitalism vs. Socialism.
While it is common for us to hear that Socialism is based on compassion, where Capitalism is based on Greed. However, as much as that argument tries to stick, it continues to feel off.
In this episode we exchange in how to address this argument, and a similar one that pits Mercy against Justice.
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110: Conspiracy Theory as Gnostic Mysticism
When we hear the words "Conspiracy Theory" we instinctually recognize that the language is loaded with implication. Because it's a theory, it can't be true, and because it's a conspiracy, there must be a bad guy to the story.
However, the danger of a Conspiracy Theory is not purely in the political hay to be harvested, but rather becoming consumed in a monomania that leads either to impotence, or damnation. Society aside, a Conspiracy Theory is both a metaphysics problem, and one for epistemology to handle.
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61
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109: Death to Pornography
With all that sweet, sweet awareness that The Sound of Freedom drummed up, and for good reason, we're going to address the elephant in the room. Pornography, for the average American Man, is one of the central causes for demoralization. We recognize that there is evil in the world when we consider Human Trafficking, but we turn a different eye to the porn in our households. Even the coming of age stories from many of our childhoods includes a scene where one of the main character's "friends" hides a smut mag.
So when it comes to porn and the demoralization it produces, the solution is to act, with impunity if necessary. Kill it, remove it from your life, as if your life depended on it. As it just might someday.
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108 Part 2: Will Spencer of the Renaissance of Men on Protecting in a Time of Fragility
If the role of a man is to protect and provide for his family, what does that look like in an era where even self-defense is contorted by the racist claims of immoral practitioners of law?
What does a woman's touch have to do with a man's business?
In Part 1, Will and I covered how the last few years have revealed the economic fragility of the Western world and he presented a solution: durable trades. In part 2, we introduce the fragility respective to the other of a man's duty: protection.
Will Spencer is the founder of the Renaissance of Men, a podcast a more dedicated to a plan of reconciliation between Men and Women.
His work and website can be found at renofmen.com
For his social media, start at renofmen.com/links
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