Articles written by Tom Koecke in Arts & Humanities

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About me - Tom Koecke

With thirty years experience in consumer finance, having raised two daughters as a single father, and trying desperately to get through my second childhood, I bring two things to the table when I write: an overload of experience, and a sense of humor!

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Arts & Humanities > Philosophical Concepts Understanding the concepts 'mind' and 'brain': 1 of 15
We learned in math that groups sometimes intersect other groups without either group encompassing the totality of the other group. A simple example is red and cars. Some things that are red are cars, but not all cars are red. We were taught to visualize this by drawing a circle to represent everything that is red, and another... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The assassination of J. F. Kennedy: 2 of 20
The weather was warmer than expected in Dallas on Friday, November 22, 1963. It would likely have been comfortable for most people from Northern states to put the convertible top down. John F. Kennedy might even have mentioned it during his luncheon speech, if he had made it. However, shortly after turning onto Elm Street in ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Political Philosophy The problems with Communism: 7 of 30
If there ever were a true utopia, communism would be the economic system. All people would be equal. Each person would contribute to their ability, and each person's needs would be met. Excess would be shared as community wealth.In reality, if all the wealth were split equally today, tomorrow there would be rich people and th... More..
Arts & Humanities > Meaning of Life The true meaning of success: 17 of 70
The true meaning of success may seem complex. However, the concept of success is really quite simple: success is the progressive realization of worthy dreams, goals, and objectives. One never truly arrives at a destination called success, but rather is either successful or not successful at achieving goals and reaching object... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The legacy of John Kennedy: 3 of 10
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was not his father's first choice to be president.However, the death in World War II of his eldest son, Joseph Jr., left Joseph Kennedy, the patriarch of the most significant family in American political history, himself an ambassador, grooming his relatively playful second son as the first in the line... More..
Arts & Humanities > Philosophical Concepts Is there such a thing as absolute truth: 12 of 37
How illogical is it to answer this question 'no?' For, if the answer is 'no,' would that, itself, not be an absolute truth? The answer necessarily is 'yes,' because simply answering 'no' to the question means the answer is 'yes.'The question, for the purpose of debate, might better phrased 'is it possible to know the absolute... More..
Arts & Humanities > Meaning of Life What is the difference between your soul and spirit?: 13 of 29
This question begs an answer that is largely one of faith. I believe it virtually impossible for one person to show another person proof of a definitive truth. As such, I offer this only as my opinion.The difference between one's spirit and one's soul is the difference between light and gravity. Light and gravity are not oppo... More..
Arts & Humanities > 19th Century US History The legacy of Abraham Lincoln: 11 of 17
Abraham Lincoln, also known as Honest Abe, is regarded by many historians as the greatest American president ever. He was tall, magnetic, and charismatic, though not particularly handsome. His character, determination, and work ethic molded him from a poor farm boy into the greatest president in America's history, to date.His... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The legacy of Woodrow Wilson: 6 of 9
Thomas Woodrow Wilson, better known as Woodrow Wilson, was the ultimate altruist. His vision for world peace through a League of Nations would never manifest. History has very high regard for President Wilson; he was a man with extremely high principles and very high regard for peace and progress. To his chagrin, he would enc... More..
Arts & Humanities > Awareness & Reality Finding truth: 45 of 58
It seems to me that there is an absolute truth about everything, but that we can rarely trust that which we know is the absolute truth. The two exceptions I know are absolutely true are infinity and time. These two truths create a logical paradox to trusting that which we know is the absolute truth: infinity means anything is... More..