The Buddha and the Christ, Gautama and Yeshua Revised after comments from Ajahn Amaro Bhikkhu, abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. I have yet to receive comments from Christian friends. All errors however remain mine. 8-9-2017 Continue reading
Author Archives: John Baxter
Darwin’s Legacy – Not just the Galapagos
Here we have Graham Stride’s excellent paper given to ANVIL 11th July 17
The Legacy of Charles Darwin 1809- 1882
Introduction Everyone links Charles Darwin with his five weeks in the early 1830’s in the Galapagos archipelago, 600 miles off Ecuador, whilst travelling on board HMS Beagle (for five years) as the ships naturalist. Continue reading
Brexit. What Needs to be Negotiated.
Derek
has just sent me an interesting paper which spells out the areas that the Brexit negotiators will have to deal with. It is not often one sees them all set out, so here they are Continue reading
Dominic Lacey: Anacyclosis: the theory of political evolution
In a well attended meeting on Tuesday 14th March and Dominic Lacey delivered his paper on Plato’s theory of political evolution. The value of most people having clearly read what he had written in advance has seldom been so obvious for it stimulated a really thoughtful and extended discussion as we reflected on populism, the rise of Trump and the unsolved problems that big data are raising as middle ranking jobs are lost. To see his paper again here it is. Continue reading
ANVIL 2017 Programme
ANVIL Programme for 2017
This year we have again a strong programme of six challenging subjects and because we have two heavily committed outside speakers, days and dates have had to be moved to include one session on a Thursday. It should however be well worth it. Continue reading
ANVIL Jan. 11 Wednesday 2017 Renew Trident? Dr. Derek Hudson
Derek’s paper on Trident provoked a lot of thought and a very good discussion and several of those who were there and of those who missed it, have asked for the whole paper to be placedon this site. to read it click on here.
Jonathan Pearce on Islam and Liberal Democracy.
Dear ANVIL associate,
We end our third year with a talk by the liberal humanist writer and philosopher Jonathan Pearce speaking on the subject Islam and Liberal Democracy. How Compatible Are They? I have heard Jonathan speak and he has researched the subject carefully. We should have an excellent meeting. Few subjects could be more topical and relevant when the heads of our security services are on public record that the greatest threat to our country is Islamic Extremism. Continue reading
ANVIL 13th Sept Julie Arliss. Big Data and the Death of Individualism
Everyone agreed that this was an exceptionally interesting and challenging session and that Julie really had got us all thinking. Continue reading
ANVIL, TUESDAY, 12th July 2016 Population Pressures
Population Pressures
ANVIL, TUESDAY, 12th July 2016
Please note that this session is on TUESDAY 12th not Wednesday 13th as Derek’s paper is headed
This subject is a really interesting one and again one that is often so daunting that we prefer not to think about it in a systematic way. Derek has done some careful research. What follows is his full papaer: Continue reading
ANVIL 18th May 2016 Christopher Maltin on Where Are We As Regards Climate Change.
Here you can read Christopher Maltin’s paper. This summarises with admirable clarity where we are. N2016G13RZ vf (Discussion paper prior to Anvil on 18 May 2016)