Buy to let - so, tie to 'let to buy'?

The British conservative government trumpets the importance of home ownership.  It is so important that charitable housing associations are to be forced to sell their properties at a discount to existing tenants.  Well, let us reflect: 

If property ownership merits such high priority, why does the government not grant a “right to buy” against those who have “bought to let” a second property? 

After all, thousands of people have bought second properties purely as investments to secure rental income and capital growth. Private tenants have little security of tenure, little control over rent increases and have no share of the property value. 

Therefore, if we must think in terms of property ownership as being so important, then if anyone deserves the right to buy at a discount, it is those tenants — or at the very least they deserve the right to a share in the property’s increase in value. 

What is, dare I say, sauce for the social tenant goose should also be sauce for the private tenant gander.

International Finance: 'tis a wonderous thing

Well, I could not resist sending the following to the FT which kindly published it:



For the British economy to grow - and hence for Britain to reduce its debt - corporation tax must be lowered and people must not pay so much income tax. 

For the Greek economy to grow, corporation tax must be raised and the people must pay more income tax. 

We mere mortals can but marvel at the subtleties of our political masters in their understanding of matters financial - for the ways of the 'Market' are mysterious indeed to the unenlightened.

PUZZLE; CREAMY PHILOSOPHERS: WHO KNOWS WHO KNOWS...

CREAMY PHILOSOPHERS

from Peter Cave’s  Do Llamas Fall In Love: 33 Perplexing Philosophical Puzzles

Suppose ten philosophers, attending an international  convention, are sitting in a semi-circle at the dining table, having just finished some gorgeous creamy dessert in which they all delighted. They can see everyone’s face, except their own. No mirrors, no squinting allowed; and they are not permitted to confer. You are the draconian waiter, gazing at them all. 

No philosopher knows that he has cream on his lips; he cannot see himself. Just two of them have, though, been messy eaters this time, their lips all creamy; the others, surprisingly, are sparklingly clean. For ease, let us call those with cream on their lips ‘creamy’. 

Naturally, all of them,  being philosophers, are perfectly rational reasoners – despite the flow of wine – ready to obey instructions. (Well, true, there is something a little 'out of this world' re this puzzle.)

You say to them, ‘Hands up all those who know that they are creamy.’ 

They can all see at least one creamy philosopher. That there is at least one creamy philosopher is universally known, mutually known. Not one of them, though, knows that he is creamy. So, no hands go up. Importantly, no hands go up, if you ask the question again – and again. No philosopher can work out by reason alone that he must be a creamy one.

BUT NOW.... Suppose the same set-up, except that, before any instruction, you announce, ‘At least one of you is creamy.’ 

Of course, they knew that in the first scenario: they could all see at least one creamy philosopher. Your announcement, though, magically it seems, alters what will happen. 

You now instruct, ‘Hands up all those who know they are creamy.’ 

No hand is raised. 

You make the same demand again, ‘Hands up all those who know they are creamy.’ 

Amazingly, the two creamy philosophers, and only those two, do now put their hands up. Your announcement, yet of what they each already knew, made all the difference.

Why did the creamy philosophers now raise their hands?

[This puzzle has a long history from unfaithful wives to muddy children.]

Animation and bow tie?

Well, 

some words may be worth reflecting upon:

try

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrEFs4qhAw

Just published

Extracts at Amazon

Professor Ray Tallis:

‘Lucid, witty, erudite, and wise. This is more than  a brilliant survey of ethical theories: it is an invitation to reflect on your life and to challenge your own settled views. This Beginner’s Guide will take you far from the place where you began it.’

 Ray Tallis, Professor Emeritus of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester – Patron of Dignity and Dying, philosopher, author.

Professor Michael Clark

‘Rich, comprehensive and provocative, with illustrative examples that are original and stimulating... altogether a fine and authoratative introduction to the subject.’

Michael Clark – Professor Emeritus, Philosophy, University of Nottingham; Editor of Analysis

 Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok:

 'With characteristic verve, Peter Cave explores the key issues of ethics in this readable, entertaining, and informative introduction. Surveying a wide range of topics – including utilitarianism, existentialism and applied ethics – he challenges readers to think their way through complex moral problems. For those seeking to make sense of life's dilemmas as well as students enrolled in philosophy courses, this is an ideal guide.'

 Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales

Professor A C Grayling

'Peter Cave writes with clarity and humour; this is an excellent primer for anyone beginning the study of ethics. Highly recommended!'

A C Grayling, Master of New College of the Humanities, London, Fellow of St Anne’s College Oxford, formerly Professor of Philosophy, Birkbeck College London

  

 Professor Andrew Pessin:

 ‘Peter Cave has done it again. Ethics: A Beginner’s Guide is a must-read for any student of ethics, formal or informal, beginner or advanced. It is thorough and complete, yet always accessible and entertaining, written in Cave’s signature sharp style. With plenty of intriguing examples and provocative thought experiments, with many useful references drawn from literature, the arts, and real life, the book masterfully guides the reader from the concrete up to the theoretical. It begins with leading moral theories, then moves onto loftier discussions of religion, existentialism, and human freedom, peaks with a survey of meta-ethics—then re-descends to the debates over some of the most controversial practical moral concerns of our day. Its final chapter is a literary tour de force in itself, an extended meditation on the central role of moral dilemma in the human condition. No matter who you are, no matter what your background, this book will inform and challenge you — just as moral philosophizing should.’

 Andrew Pessin, Professor of Philosophy, Connecticut College

 Professor William Irwin:

Ethics: A Beginner’s Guide is a clear, comprehensive, and witty tour of the terrain.

 William Irwin, Professor of Philosophy, King's College Pennsylvania

Well, independent reviews can be nice - as are llamas - or should modesty forbid?

Maybe of some interest to try:

Times Higher

Wittgenstein

Arguably the greatest philosopher of the twentieth century is Ludwig Wittgenstein. For some pithy tweets by the anguished genius, try

http://twitter.com/WittTweets