It is – I

My name should be obvious, my age uninteresting (23). I’m currently studying philosophy and religious studies at the RUG (in English it’s just University of Groningen, but I like RUG in English). Fourth (master) year philosophy, first year religious studies.

It will not turn me into a priest. It’s a cultural/historical study, aimed at discovering (well, in our case just reading what has been discovered) the truth about religious developments etc. There is much to learn for many people in that area I think. I’ve been raised a christian, but no one ever told me that the gospels were written five decades after Jesus’ death, nor has anyone ever let me know there are about 20-30 more of them. The implicit bonds between cultures are important, and with religions even more so. It is no secret that there are many stories from the Torah and gospels usurped into the history of Islam, even if Muhammed seemed a little confused about them. That doesn’t matter much here, but I think it’s quite cool. Philosophy is what I like best though. My favs are Russell, Latour and Wittgenstein. When it comes to contemporary ideas and theories the best philosophy has strong ties with biology, physics and neuro-science.

I like Politics too.  When it comes to government and economics, my faith and loyalty lays with Libertarians, but only after some basic assumptions when it comes to the welfare state. I really think it is a basic right of any human being to have access to good quality health care, even if the realization of that sort of wishful thinking is still far away.

That means I am a proponent of ‘Obama’-care, despite the fact that it sucks. My reasons to support him in that are moral reasons: If everyone joins the game, everyone has access. If many opt out because of high expenses, only the riches will remain insured, the poor don’t have that option. How can that be fair..? (Don’t answer that one).

I currently live in the Netherlands, so that means I’m a European citizen too, and I regard myself as such. I love the project, I love the absence of borders and I love the Euro. I know we’re in trouble at the moment, but if we’d get rid of the bureaucracy, act quicker when things go wrong and strive for more instead of less political union, then our chances for a better future should be quite good. Sadly, the trend seems to be one of Euro-scepticism, but maybe an economic upswing will improve that mood (if it comes).

In daily life I’m addicted to three things in particular: Music, work-outs and motorbikes. I’m not gonna get into details about those things, most speak for themselves.

That’s all folks.