Philosophy in the News
- 10th-century Baghdad: Philosophical Melting Pot
The very existence of Hellenic-inspired philosophy in the Islamic world was a manifestation of inter-religious cooperation.
- Derek Parfit Brushing His Teeth
Derek Parfit was known to brush his teeth whilst reading Kant. He didn't like to waste time; there wasn't enough of it to solve some of the biggest conundrums, like what makes you—you, and what ultimately matters—if anything—in a morally diverse universe? Sadly, his time is now up, dead at 74. What did one of the sharpest minds of the modern era surmise about those puzzles? (audio)
- Can We Trust Science?
Mistrust of "Big Science" seems to flourish at both extremes of our political community. What to do? The best thing we can do is to do more science — and to do it better.
- Quantum Ontology (or Poached Eggs)
Even though quantum mechanics was developed to explain the behavior of small things, it purports to be a perfectly general theory of matter, at all scales. And this is where difficulties start to arise. And quantum mechanics is highly metaphysically opque. There is real philosophical work to be done in unpacking the metaphysics of physical theories.
- Do as You’re Told!
William of Ockham on freedom of action and freedom of thought. (audio)
- How (and When) to Think Like a Philosopher
Some forms of critical evaluation and philosophical thinking are hard because they force us to suspend other habits of mind that serve us well when our goal is to engage others, says Tania Lombrozo.
- How Aristotle Created the Computer
The philosophers he influenced set the stage for the technological revolution that remade our world.
- Unraveling Love Stories
Crises and breakups can force us to become the authors of our own lives.
- Ask Aristotle
Got a problem? Just ask Aristotle.
- The A.I. Ethics Gap
The data that fuels artificial intelligence raises many ethical questions. The technology industry is now trying to resolve the principles of collecting data and its democratization.
- The Ethics of Belief
William Kingdon Clifford on the nature of right and wrong, the infernal abyss between belief and truth, and our responsibility to the truth despite our habitual human deviations into unreason, delusion, and rationalization
- Rethinking Our Patriotism
There is no shared American ideal, says philosopher Gary Gutting. Clashing visions and political conflict are at the core of our national being.
- A World Without Consciousness
Philosopher and cognitive scientist David Chalmers warns about an AI-dominated future world without consciousness at a recent conference on artificial intelligence that also included Elon Musk, Ray Kurzweil, Sam Harris, Demis Hassabis and others.
- Big Data, Big Ethics
Big data doesn't always equate to big insights, but, increasingly, we see big data driving action. And, big data-driven problems.
- Living with Contradiction
Our ideas about what we should do and what we feel we ought to do are often in conflict. If we can't come up with a better theory to reconcile with ourselves, or what amounts to the same thing, can't come up with a theory in enough time for us to live our lives, what should we do?
- What Is It Like to Be a Badger?
Reading other human minds is hard enough, but what of other animals—of the non-human kind? No conclusion is in sight but the recent antics of Englishman Charles Foster in his mission to become a beast has helped refocus an ancient conundrum. (audio)
- Philosophers on Hamilton: the Musical
Philosophers Martha Nussbaum and Marta Jimenez and two others discusses Hamilton: The Musical.
- The Origin of Black Swan
After a chance meeting and long conversation with a philosopher on a hiking trail, a Dallas rapper (drops his stage name and) begins his signature podcast Black Swan devoted to showcasing and connecting creatives on the Dallas scene. According to longtime friend Crystal Z., "He has literally evolved into a different person."
- On Anger, Disgust, and Love
An interview with philosopher Martha Nussbaum.
- Hi-Phi Nation
An interview with philosopher Barry Lam, the driving force of Hi-Phi Nation — the first story-driven philosophy podcast. See also this article in Duke Today.