February 2018
February 2018
Is Yoda a Stoic?
Eliane Mitchell
15
Feb 2018
It might surprise you, but according to philosophy professor William Stephens, “The code of the Jedi is Stoicism 101.” The Stoics taught that “true power is self-mastery.” To live a good life, they also believed that one must live in harmony with nature.
Read moreThe Urbanist Delusion
Serena Wong
02
Feb 2018
In a polemical critque, author Nikil Saval argues that Amazon has bankrupted "the ideology of urbanism." So what was this ideology? And how has Amazon's search for new urban headquarters revealed "the urbanist delusion"?
Read moreReasons to Donate to Philosophy
Sun Lee
01
Feb 2018
A recent donation by a billionaire investor challenges the common perception that philosophy is impractical and disconnected with the pursuit of economic gains. Bill Miller gave $75 million to the philosophy department at Johns Hopkins University, saying that philosophy benefitted him incredibly as an investor.
Read moreIs There a Case for Bullshit?
Serena Wong
13
Feb 2018
In Harry Frankfurt's famous paper "On Bullshit" he argues that because bullshit is "indifference to the truth," silence is better than bullshit. Stefano Zorzi challenges this view arguing that bullshit can actually help us reach the truth.
Read moreMillennials and Social Media, a Deadly Mix?
Sun Lee
09
Feb 2018
Millennials are taking part in a dangerous and bizarre activity, the "Tide Pod challenge," which has gone viral across social media. Perhaps a far more interesting and real hysteria is the moral panic that ensued among the public in reaction to the challenge.
Read moreFatal Attraction
David Livingstone Smith
05
Feb 2018
Regular readers know that I have a longstanding interest in the appeal of Donald Trump, and the social and psychological forces that catapulted him into power. What is this personal magnetism certain people who rise to leadership positions seem to exude that many find irresistible?
Read more#FrancisOnFilm: Three Billboards
Leslie Francis
06
Feb 2018
People who have been grievously harmed may be angry and may believe that such anger is morally justified. But under what circumstances is such anger justified? In what forms may it be permissibly expressed? Three Billboards provides a rich basis for considering themes about the morality of anger.
Read moreWhat Makes a Monster?
Sun Lee
22
Feb 2018
It's been 200 years since we've been captivated by Mary Shelley's tale of a man creating a living being. From the moment the creature is "born" Victor Frankenstein calls it a monster. But why did the outcome of Frankenstein's prized experiment have to turn out so repulsive?
Read moreBaldwin and Racial Justice
Laura Maguire
12
Feb 2018
James Baldwin, essayist, novelist, playwright, and searing social critic, has been enjoying a resurgence of interest recently. There is no doubt that Baldwin’s thinking is just as relevant today as it was in the mid twentieth century. Sadly, there is so much that has not yet changed.
Read moreRobot Rights?
Serena Wong
27
Feb 2018
Saudi Arabia, a country not known for progressive women's rights, recently granted the female robot Sophia citizenship. The company behind Sophia has capitalized on this opportunity, as Sophia has become an advocate for women's rights.
Read moreThe Temptation to Feel Baffled
Neil Van Leeuwen
16
Feb 2018
Yet another school shooting. This one happened on Valentine’s Day in Parkland, Florida, an otherwise attractive suburb north of Ft. Lauderdale. I hear many voices expressing bafflement about the lack of legislative response. But I think it’s the wrong response.
Read moreWhat Makes a Film Philosophical?
Josh Landy
17
Feb 2018
Why are some films philosophically important? People often assume there’s only one answer to that question: because they reveal important truths about life. But that assumption is profoundly and importantly mistaken.
Read moreMisogyny and Gender Inequality
Debra Satz
23
Feb 2018
All over the world, men enjoy power and privilege relative to women. It’s always been that way, and probably always will be. But one could also have more hope, given that in some countries women have made a lot of progress.
Read more[VIDEO] Baldwin on the American Dream
Mohit Mookim
28
Feb 2018
James Baldwin is one of the most extraordinary thinkers of the 20th century. His writings are a must-read for anyone interested in issues of race in America. In this video, Baldwin tackles the question, "Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?"
Read moreSexism Versus Misogyny
Eliane Mitchell
20
Feb 2018
The words "misogyny" and "sexism" are often used interchangeably. But do they really mean the same thing? In an interview with Vox, Cornell philosophy professor Kate Manne draws a distinction between the two.
Read moreA Comic Book for 17th-Century Philosophy
Eliane Mitchell
07
Feb 2018
Interested in learning more about 17th-century philosophy, but from a graphic novel? Father-son duo Steven Nadler and Ben Nadler co-authored Heretics!—a graphic novel that explains the history of philosophy during this period.
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