Hello, my name is Phil. This first version of my Philopsychy Society Member's Profile has been on the web since November 4th, 1996. I am a 38 year veteran of The Kingtones, an oldies rock group. I am also interested in automation, robotics philosophy of science, philosophy of psychology, rationality, emotional disorder, kin selection, and computationalism (Lucas/Godel). You can contact me by e-mail at philrob@ix.netcom.com, or by conventional post at:
2201 Anderson Dr. s.e.
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
U.S.A.
My WWW home page is located at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5476.
Something I've written that might be of some interest to you is called Feelings of Worthlessness from the Perspective of So-Called Cognitive Science: An Amateur Psychologist's Documented Chronologue of a Frustrating Conversation with The Society for Philosophy and Psychology Regarding A Psychical Anomaly. It is unpublished (not yet looking for a publisher). It is available in computerized form at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5476
I've also written the following: Is A Science of the Mind Possible? A Critique of Empirical Methodology and Rational Negativism: A Divergent Theory of Emotional Disorder
For the time being, I do not wish to trade any of the above for writings by other Society members.
Finally, just so you can get to know me a little, here's something special I'd like you to know:
I'm an over the hill rocker who has performed with many artists from the 50's and 60's. I'm still playing in my band of 40 years duration, The Kingtones, but the bar scene is definitely getting a little old. My current musical interests lie more in the direction of Rogers and Hammerstein, the cornier the better. I really get off on the mindless exuberence and total absence of the testosteronal influences so prevalent in rock.
I also pick up a little extra cash doing automation and robotics work for local factories and shops. I'm proficient in C, Basic, Forth, assembler, computer architecture, and also design the electronics for many of my projects.
I'm single, never married (numerous opportunities), and living in my parents basement and, yes, actually quite proud of it. I've just never been convinced that becoming a full fledged member of adult society has all that much going for it. Also, around the age of 27 (I'm 53 as of this writing) I sort of underwent a complete psychical overhaul and basically through away many of my core beliefs and values and started over. I am currently of the opinion that I actually understand myself remarkably well and am foolish enough to image myself as even happy much of the time.
The theory (Rational Negativism) which serves as the foundation for any number of papers I have written (unpublished) and the Worthlessness paper at my web site was the result of having three nervous breakdowns by the time I was twenty-three and my intense dissatisfaction with the theories of emotional disorder then on the books. I have spent the last twenty years trying to get people in the academic and professional community to take a serious look at my theory, so far to no avail.