"Second Series"
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TITLE.	SYNOPSIS.
On Art (10K) September '98	"... cultural activities are learned activities that might continuously be improved and refined ... Art is the physical expression ... which comes about as the result of [these] activities ... Any particular piece of art is likely not something to be appreciated by everyone within an age; but, it being true art, will always find admirers and be appreciated as art down through the ages."
On The Existence of God (12K) September '98	There are many among us, average persons, who proceed in life with the belief that there exists a grand design and a grand designer. They cannot imagine that they could not proceed, otherwise. In this short essay, the classical arguments as to the existence of God are dealt with; both, pro and con. To believe that the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, as Swift has said, is the same as to believe that "a most ingenious treatise on philosophy" has fallen out through an accidental jumbling of the alphabet. Yet, what evidence is there to support the deist's beliefs? There is evidence, however, that what we observe of the universe has come about by the operation of general laws of nature which have been working away over an unimaginable length and depth of space and time.
On Love (20K) September '98	Among this compilation of classic quotes on love will be found Bacon's: "It is impossible to love, and be wise ... Love is a child of folly." Lansdowne's: "Love is begot by Fancy, bred / By ignorance, by Expectation fed, / Destroy'd by Knowledge, and at best. / Lost in the moment 'tis possess'd." And Whittier's: "... Love has never known a law / Beyond its own sweet will."
On Marriage (22K) September '98	The institution of marriage, like all things, has evolved. It took its first shape at a time when religion and superstition reigned supreme. ... Simple contract law should be permitted to govern extended, intimate relationships ...
On Nature (11K) September '98	Again, a compilation of quotes, for example, Conrad: "Look! The beauty [of the butterfly] - but that is nothing - look at the accuracy, the harmony. And so fragile! And so strong! And so exact! This is Nature - the balance of colossal forces. Every star is so - and every blade of grass stands so - and the mighty Kosmos in perfect equilibrium produces - this. This wonder; this masterpiece of Nature - the great artist."
On Religion (13K) September '98	Religion is a faith that there exists a grand being, one who is responsible for us; and which explains the whole story of the phenomenon appearing before us. The fact of the matter is that we are but part of life, part of an "endless chain of amoral causation," and that there is little likelihood that there exists an objective authority in charge. Though illusionary, religion is a way by which a person may cope with his and her own mortal destiny. The fact that we humans are, in the final analysis, a group of atoms subject to being tossed about only according to the mechanical laws of that universe, is a fact, which is, indeed, a tragic truth to face.
On Sex (15K) September '98	The attitude in respect to the sexual act - though nothing could be more normal or natural - is that it is a base act; not to be discussed; not to be witnessed. When it comes to sex, it seems, we all must pretend and suppress our passion and our feelings.

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