Philosophy in the News
- Philosophy for the Young, Medieval Style
You are attending university. You are studying logic, philosophy of language, and the nature of knowledge -- but it's medieval times and you are fourteen. Okay, go!
- Is Tech Serious About Data Ethics?
Maybe not so much.
- Philosopher Gutting Offers Affirmative Action Challenge
Philosopher Gary Gutting offers his best, rational argument for affirmative action in college admissions and challenges readers to change his mind by offering a better argument. UPDATE: Gutting respond to a selection of the 750 responses received here.
- Philosophy Education in Saudi Arabia
Banned for decades, some sort of philosophy education is now to be allowed in Saudi high schools, according to Education Minister Ahmad Al-Issa.
- Your Lucas Brothers’ Philosophy Reading List
Philosophy permeates the comedy of identical twin comedians and philosophy majors The Lucas Brothers. Here are 5 philosophy books they think you should read right now.
- Philosophy Talk: the Examined Year
The philosopher-hosts of Philosophy Talk review 2018 from a philosophical perspective. (audio)
- Looking for Understanding in the Same Wrong Place
How often psychology (or the mind sciences generally) are turned to to answer our social problems -- and why it is the wrong place to look.
- When Is It Ethical to Consume Sexist Art?
Philosopher Alida Liberman offers some generalizable criteria that we can use to help us figure out when it is morally okay to support a problematic work of art because of its good features and in spite of its bad ones.
- When Is It Ethical to Consume Sexist Art?
For 160 years now, Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection has been baffling and blowing minds with its "strange inversion of reasoning" – i.e. that a mindless, uncomprehending process can give rise to minds and comprehension, along with skyscrapers and space programs and violin sonatas. And it's not done yet. Evolution is still evolving, carrying us into an age of post-intelligent design – which brings danger as well as opportunity. (audio)
- Evolve If You Can (If You Dare)
For 160 years now, Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection has been baffling and blowing minds with its "strange inversion of reasoning" – i.e. that a mindless, uncomprehending process can give rise to minds and comprehension, along with skyscrapers and space programs and violin sonatas. And it's not done yet. Evolution is still evolving, carrying us into an age of post-intelligent design – which brings danger as well as opportunity. (audio)
- Data Ethics Initiatives Without the Ethics?
Is it acceptable to waive ethical considerations in our pursuit of a greater good? In our desire to understand misinformation or fight self-harm is it acceptable to rescind formerly sacrosanct ethical rules like informed consent and the right to opt out of research, in the name of the greater good?
- “Never trust a thought that occurs to you indoors”
Thus spake Nietzsche who, like many philosophers, was an advocate of a good stroll. This is a brief review of I Am Dynamite!, a new biography of Nietzsche.
- What ‘Justice’ Really Means
What role does justice truly play in our lives?
- Reasoning Up to the Edge of Reality
From the bottom of a black hole to the beginning of time, our core theories break down at the universe's extremes. Most assume this collapse of the laws of Newtonian physics in quantum physics identifies cracks in the very fabric of reality. But might it be that our theories are misguided? Are we mistaking mathematical metaphors for reality or is there something contradictory about the universe itself? Philosopher of science Nancy Cartwright discusses the issues with a physicist and post-modernist. (video)
- Who Put the Trust in Trustworthiness?
Philosopher Katherine Hawley discusses a concept we all rely on, but rarely question: trustworthiness. Is it always a good trait to have? Might it not come into conflict with other traits we value, such as generosity? Whither your trustworthiness then? (audio)
- Our Data Ethics Apathy
"We can't solve the ethical dilemmas of big data by issuing judgments or making a few laws."
- How the Whole World Thinks
Writing a global history of philosophy is a tricky business. Philosophy is culturally differentiated, and to Western observers, non-Western traditions can sometimes look like things that aren't what we call "philosophy" - religions, for example. But who's to say that Western philosophical categories should always hold sway? (audio)
- $3.4 Million Gift to Philosophy
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program at UNC Chapel Hill has received a $3.4 million gift. The Program is directed by philosopher Geoffrey Sayre-McCord. The program offers an undergraduate minor and currently enrolls about 350 students.
- 1000-Word Philosophy
1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology, an open-access project dedicated to providing excellent introductions to philosophical issues that are ideal for students and public philosophy purposes.
- Got DNA? So Does the Bio Data Bank
"I think we should really worry about ethics. What is right? What is wrong? We've got to be principle-driven."