Philosophy in the News
- Making a Difference
An interview with philosopher Christopher Hitchcock.
- Lessons from Anscombe on the Nuclear Option
Elizabeth Anscombe reminds us that moral evils - like deliberate killing of the innocent - cannot be justified for any reason.
- Right on the Money
A discussion of medieval economic theory and the changing ideas about money, just price, and usury, up to the time of Buridan, Oresme, and Gregory of Rimini. (audio)
- NSF Taps Philosophers for Ethical Smart Cars
The National Science Foundation has awarded a half-million dollar grant to three philosophers who will use computer modelling to test the effects of a variety of ethical decision-making algorithms for the vehicles.
- The Problem of Pervasive Data
Pervasive Data Ethics for Computational Research (PERVADE) is a new project focused on researching some of the ethical quandaries presented by pervasive, so-called Big, data. The PERVADE project is supported by a $3-millioin dollar grant from the National Science Foundation. (See also coverage here.) (audio)
- Tolerance and the University
Two philosophers of education on the concept of tolerance -- its relation to democracy and human flourishing -- and the duty of universities. ALSO see: "After Charlottesville, How We Define Tolerance Becomes A Key Question"
- Weakness and Willful Wrongdoing
An interview with young philosopher Ashley Dressel. Dressel's dissertation was on weakness and willful wrongdoing... and something about Thomas Aquinas.
- The Utopia You Don’t Want May Be Your Own
A 19th-century philosopher's nervous breakdown can teach us something about finding peace in a world in crisis.
- $1M Idea: Philosophy for Youth Education
The University of Hawai'i has received a second 1+ million dollar grant for its philosophy and ethics in education program: furthering its very successful Philosophy for Children (P4C) program and incorporating philosophy education as a part of teacher training in Hawai'i.
- All About You, You, You
Philosopher Patrick Stokes presents a millennial recap on the problem of identity, and some paradoxes that defy resolution. (audio)
- In Search of Nothing
Some claim it created the universe. Sartre argued it was central to our Being. Yet Nothing turns out to be strangely elusive. Scientists can't find it or describe it. Bertrand Russell argued it was just a logical mistake. Is Nothing an illusion, a fictitious error? Or is it a vital key to our understanding of the universe and who we are? Philosopher of science James Ladyman talks about nothing with multiverse cosmologist Laura Mersini-Houghton, physicist John Ellis. (video)
- How Do You Know That You Know What You Know?
Or know what you don't know, for that matter.
- Seize the Unfeasible!
We constantly reject ideas, no matter how desirable, for being 'just not feasible.' Philosopher Nicholas Southwood argues that we often go wrong when we judge that certain ideas are not feasible. And, more surprisingly, even when we are right, we are often wrong to reject those ideas.
- On Doing or Allowing Harm
An interview with philosopher Fiona Woollard.
- The Secrets of Experience (Shhhh!)
It seems impossible truly to know someone's mind. But are we making it all too complicated? Maybe, philosopher John Heil tells us, the "hard problem" of consciousness is not so hard after all?
- New Ethics for Internet Research
A recent academic study used public data to identify famed anonymous graffiti artist Banksy -- and caused an uproar. Renewed efforts to rethink the use of public data and craft substantive ethical guidelines are following in its wake. (See also Alva Noe's discussion of another study which has raised ethical concerns.)
- The Morality of Having Kids
Is it now morally wrong to have children? Skyrocketing population growth and irreversible climate changes are quickly creating a new world of competition and suffering.
- Three Things You Should Know About Time
You would think that there are three things you could bank on when it comes to time: it's real, it flows forward, and the present is now. Think again: as physicists fumble to map a macro image of the universe onto a micro picture of quantum activity the everyday notion of time is fading out of view. So, what do we do with our brute intuitions when the best models tell us that time is a non-starter? (audio)
- In Pandora’s Lab
What science 'gone wrong' can teach us.
- The Prime Directive
As Star Trek: The Next Generation celebrates its 30th anniversary, a look back at what the sci-fi saga tells us about morals, ethics, the foundations of society, and the nature of the soul. This was one show that really did boldly go where no show had gone before.