Political Questions

Can you name a major moral, political or intellectual issues on which you've ever changed your mind? >
I used to support Toryism. Being a Catholic moved me to the left, so that I am now a Democratic socialist. I used to be opposed to Nuclear power , but now think it's a good thing. I used to support the criminalization of abortion, but now, while I oppose abortion just as strongly, I think high quality sex education and supportive state welfare for mothers is a better way to reduce abortions (Compare the Netherlands with Brazil)

What philosophical thesis do you think it most important to disseminate? >
Popperism - that we cannot be beholden to closed ideological systems.

What philosophical thesis do you think it most important to combat? >
Scientific reductionism.

Can you name a work of non-fiction which has had a major and lasting influence on how you think about the world? >

Who are your political heroes? >
Harvey Milk, Clement Attlee, Barack Obama

If you could effect one major policy change in the governing of your country, what would it be? >
To stop the encroaching reach of the "database state"

What would you do with the UN? >
Develop it as a future basis for a kind of World Wide European Union.

What do you consider to be the main threat to the future peace and security of the world? >
Global warming.

What personal fault do you most dislike? >
Stupidity.

In what circumstances would you be willing to lie? >
The question is too hard. I would lie to save a life, but for other reasons as well. I think there are evil lies, minor lies, and white lies.

What commonly enjoyed activities do you regard as a waste of time? >
Computer games

What, if anything, do you worry about? >
Umm. My health. My Dad's Health. My friends. My country. My world. Finding a husband. Whether we are alone in the universe. Whether people really go to hell. The usual things.

Who would play you in the movie about your life? >
Philip Seymour Hoffman

What are you reading at the moment? >
Stephen Oppenheimer: the Origins of the British. Brian Greene: The Fabric of the Cosmos; and Jean Genet: Our Lady of the Flowers

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do)? >
Central Park South in New York

If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner who would they be? >
Aidan Nichols OP (received me into the Catholic Church); Jane Cromar (I sponsored her as she entered the Church); Jesus (I have a lot of questions he would be in just the right position to answer.

What animal would you most like to be? >
A Panda