Category Archives: Life and Death

Of celebrating life, even in death — this category contains some of my more personal posts.

A Parker Pen from Singapore

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Manoj

About a fifty-year old Parker pen that held an important lesson for me.

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Dualism

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Manoj

Dualism is a misunderstood concept. At least, I didn’t understand it too well. This post is a more refined view on it, which may not still be complete or accurate. Since everything in philosophy (and life) is interconnected, this short post brings together a lot of what I think of life, the universe and everything.

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How to be a Good Parent

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Manoj

Practical advice to my younger readers. Continue reading →

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Death — Last Words

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Manoj

The sixth and last post on the philosophy of death looks at the paradox or the absurdity of living at all, given that there is a death looming, and tries to find a sliver lining. Continue reading →

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Does the World Go on?

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Manoj

The fifth post on the philosophy of death looks at another notion of continuity. Even for those who believe in no soul or god of any kind, the physical world is real and continuous. No sane person would think the world comes to an end with his death. Then again, nobody has accused me of sanity. Continue reading →

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Primal Soul

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Manoj

What is soul, and why do we need one? Philosophy of death is surely incomplete without a discussion of this matter. Here is the fourth post in this series. Continue reading →

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From Here to Eternity

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Manoj

The severity of a pain is not merely its intensity, but its duration as well. Given that death puts a definitive end to our worldly durations, how does it affect our notion of punishment commensurate with crime? Here is the third post on the philosophy of death.
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Why Should I Be Good?

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Manoj

This second post on my series on the philosophy of death deals with the connection between morality and death. Continue reading →

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The Taboo Topic

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Manoj

I thought I would write a short piece on the philosophy death, but it turned out to be a fairly big essay. It was to be expected, I guess, for death is not an easy or simple topic. I will post my thoughts here in parts. The first part looks at the taboo nature of the topic of death. Continue reading →

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Food Prices and Terrible Choices

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Manoj

Economists have too many hands. On the one hand, they may declare something good. On the other hand, they may say, “well, not so much.” Some of them may have even a third or fourth hand. My ex-boss, an economist himself, once remarked that he wished he could chop off some of these hands. [...] Continue reading →

Posted in Columns, Life and Death, Quantitative Finance, Unpublished | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

How to Live Your Life

Posted on March 28, 2010 by Manoj

If you are not quite sure how to live your life, let me tell you how. Just kidding, it is not my place to decide for you what your life should be. Then again, I can certainly share my thoughts on the issue on my blog, right? Continue reading →

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Giving What We Can

Posted on November 26, 2009 by Manoj

I found this charity initiative that I believe will make a real difference. It is called “Giving What We Can,” and it lists a few recommended organizations that are efficient and focus on the extremely poor. Helping others can be more rewarding that helping yourself. Continue reading →

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Midlife Crisis

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Manoj

On what is important in life. And what is not. Continue reading →

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Candle that Burns Bright

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Manoj

Memories of a classmate of mine from IIT who passed away recently. When I heard the shocking news, I wanted to write something about him. What came to mind were a couple of disjointed memories, and I thought I would share them here. Continue reading →

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Gurus of a Disturbing Kind

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Manoj

A word of caution on charismatic gurus and shortcuts to salvation. Continue reading →

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Of Dreams and Memories

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Manoj

What does it mean to say that something happened if you cannot remember it? Continue reading →

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Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Manoj

To say that Humboldt’s Gift is a masterpiece is like saying that sugar is sweet. It goes without saying. I will read this book many more times in the future because of its educational values (and because I love the reader in my audiobook edition). I would not necessarily recommend the book to others though. I think it takes a peculiar mind, one that finds sanity only in insane gibberish, and sees unreality in all the painted veils of reality, to appreciate this book. In short, you have to be a bit cuckoo to like it. (If you like the book and still maintain that you are not cuckoo, well, you just feel that way because you are!) Continue reading →

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The Razor’s Edge by W Somerset Maugham

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Manoj

This brief look at possibly the best book I have ever read is perhaps my last post in the book review series. At least for a short while, as I’m beginning to find it a bit hard to keep up with all the demands on my time now, what with my next book efforts and everything. Besides, the books have already said it all better, haven’t they? Continue reading →

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Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Posted on December 29, 2008 by Manoj

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I did not realize that Catch-22 was caricature, the first time I read it. I thought caricatures are visual. I was wrong, of course. Here is an unreal review of this masterpiece that needs to be more widely read. Continue reading →

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Terror and Tragedy in Mumbai

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Manoj

As we bury our loved ones and mourn the fallen heroes, we have to ask ourselves, what is the right response to terrorism? My ideas, as usual, are a bit off the beaten track. And on this emotional topic, I may get a bit of flak for them. But if we are to wipe out the scourge of terrorism, we have to defend ourselves, not only with fast guns and superior fire power, but also with knowledge. Why would anybody want to kill us so badly that they are willing to die trying? Continue reading →

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