SPECTRA
A blog by
Rob Westerlund
spec·tra (spĕk′trə)
n.
A plural of spectrum
spec•trum
(ˈspɛk trəm)
1.
A. an array of entities, as light waves or particles, ordered in accordance with the magnitudes of a common physical property, as wavelength or mass.
B. the band or series of colors, together with invisible extensions, produced by dispersion of radiant energy, as by a prism.
2.
A. a broad range of varied but related ideas, object, etc., that form a continuous series or sequences; the spectrum of political beliefs.
B. a blog exploring a plethora of spectra of a wide variety of topics.
[1605–15; < Latin: appearance, form <spec(ere) to look, regard]
Websters College dictionary defines ‘spectra’ (plural of spectrum) as broad ranges of varied but related ideas, objects, etc., that form continuous series or sequences: the spectra of political beliefs.
I have dubbed my blog SPECTRA to reflect the overall perspective I have of many subjects. Whether it be politics, religion, artistic criticism, or philosophy, I find that I cannot explain the reality of these issues in a plain, black and white, bifurcated manner in which matters are deemed good or bad, true or false. Often the truth in a matter lies between the two poles of black or white.
In SPECTRA I will dissect and unpack issues involving philosophy, linguistics, anthropology, pedagogy, ethics, business, politics, and theology among many other fields.
SPECTRA is the name of my blog because I think that sometimes people oversimplify complex subjects, and I often view issues as having multiply viewpoints and a variety of opinions. My contention is that in order to learn critical thinking it is critical to understand many points of views and worldviews concerning a subject in order to truly understand it.
Welcome to all readers of my blog. I endeavor in my blog to present all viewpoints of a subject, but I then reserve the right to come to rest on a position on a subject. Some people feel it is wrong to believe strongly in such matters as politics and religion, feeling as if this makes one close-minded or stubborn, and yet it makes more sense that if a thinker carefully observes abstract ideas and models that they will be able to settle on what they believe to be the best answer, or, perhaps, to understand what the pros and cons are of each position on a subject.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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