Philosophy in the News
- Pride and Prudence: the Practice of Tight-waddery
As the generations square off over $22 smashed avocados, deeper questions about frugality, prudence and virtue remain in the air. The ancients had a firm view, but does it still hold in an era described as ‘the most exciting time to be alive'? Simply living may not be that simple. Emrys Westacott tends a simple vegetable patch, lives far from the city, and has taught philosophy students how to achieve ‘tight-waddery'. (audio)
- Philosophy for the Brave
On the power of philosophical counselling.
- The Proper Place of Philosophy in Education
Education needs to rediscover philosophy: learning is a preparation for life, not simply for work, and young people should be equipped with the confidence to think for themselves and pursue their own answers.
- Data Ethics — The New Edge
We are living in an era defined and shaped by data. Data makes the world go round. It is politics, it is culture, it is everyday life and it is business. Roles, rights and responsibilities are reorganized and new ethical questions posed. Data ethics must and will be a new compass to guide us.
- “Nonconsensual Sex” Is a Contradiction in Terms
It is a distrubing development that on many college campuses have adopted the dubious term "nonconsensual sex" to refer to sexual activity that occurs when one party, usually a woman, is unconscious or semiconscious. Sex implies consent. Without it, sexual activity is not sex but violence.
- Ancient Origins: Socrates
Socrates, the most famous philosopher of all time, had one of the most subtle and complicated minds we have on record. His death was a dark moment in Athenian and human history, but his thinking and teachings have survived, a beacon of light for almost 2,500 years. Here is an opportunity for those who would like an introduction to Socrates to get a look at the life and thought of this illustrious and renowned philosopher.
- What’s at Stake in Immigration Policies?
Immigration is a major issue in politics. But can political philosophers shed any light on what is at stake? David Miller thinks so. (audio)
- The Improbable Rise of Modern Science
The social practice we call science has had spectacular success in explaining the natural world since the 17th century. In this latest book, philosopher J.D. Trout argues that the spectacular rise of science in 17th Century Europe is owing to the fact that Newton and others got lucky; among other serendipitous factors, they happened to come up with versions of preexisting ideas that were just right enough to explain just enough of the world, and that was enough to get the ball rolling. Trout discusses themes from his book, Wondrous Truths: The Improbable Triumph of Modern Science. (audio)
- Ethics of Modern Warfare
Drone strikes represent a vast new reservoir of military power projection, but many citizens don't understand the implications of the shift.
- The Real Corrosiveness of Fake News
Propagandists often don't care whether everyone, or even most people, really believe the specific things they are selling (although it turns out that lots of people always do). They don't have to get you to actually believe the penny is under the wrong shell. They just have to get you confused enough so that you don't know what is true.
- Credence Real Knowledge Revival
An interview with philosopher Sarah Moss. "Once we understand the nature of probabilitic knowledge, we can understand why we shouldn't convict someone based on merely statistical evidence, and why there's something epistemically wrong with racial profiling."
- Westworld Misunderstands Consciousness So Badly
Okay, maybe nobody fully understands the nature of consciousness, but Westworld is just confused about it. And equally confused about what makes something a moral agent/patient.
- APA Statement on 2016 US Presidential Election
"Leading up to the United States presidential election... since, the nation has experienced increasingly divisive rhetoric and a rise in bias-based attacks on members of vulnerable groups. In light of this polarized post-election climate, the board of officers of the American Philosophical Association reaffirms the association's core values of inclusion and diversity, open and respectful dialogue, and academic freedom. The board of officers further commits to continue working to ensure that all in the philosophical community and beyond have the opportunity to study, work, and engage in free inquiry across cultural, linguistic, and other social boundaries. Today, philosophy and other humanistic disciplines remain fundamental to our nation's most deeply held ideals of justice and freedom of expression, and as such, the work of philosophers and humanists is needed now more than ever."
- Ethical Dilemmas of Big Data Journalism
As newsrooms adapt to statistical and algorithmic techniques, new questions of media accountability and ethics are emerging.
- Boundaries of Authority
Political nation-states claim the moral right to rule the persons living within their jurisdiction; but they also claim rights over their territories. These include rights to establish and protect borders, to control airspace, extract and use natural resources on and beneath their geographical region. There are questions regarding the territorial authority claimed by states. How do states come to possess rights to the natural resources that lie beneath the ground? How might the moral character of the initial acquisition of land impact a states present claims to authority? In his recent book Boundaries of Authority, philosopher A. John Simmons argues that leading accounts of state authority are insufficient to explain these territorial rights, and he develops a philosophical conception of how the moral rights claimed by states could be justified. (audio)
- Sex and Sexual Reproduction: What’s Morality Got to Do with It?
Sex and sexual reproduction are areas of human life that involve moral dilemmas and more and new dilemmas with advances in technology. Harvard bioethicist Glenn Cohen says, in order to resolve these dilemmas and take action, we need a method of thinking through the issues that goes beyond our gut reactions. (video)
- How Not to Be a Chucklehead
Saturday mornings with J L Austin in postwar Oxford were a golden time for wordplay, silly jokes and serious philosophy.
- Social Ontology
Philosopher Amie Thomasson talks about social groups: what they are and how they give normative structure to our lives. (audio)
- Big Data, Human Rights and the Ethics of Scientific Research
Can we harness the potential of big data while keeping faith with our ethical values?
- Utilitarianism and War
Philosopher William H. Shaw discusses themes from his recent book Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War. (audio)