Philosophy in the News
- The Unified Theory of Deliciousness
Philosophy major and world-class chef, David Chang explains his unified theory of deliciousness -- how he cracked the code of delicious and what his philosophy course in Advanced Logic had to do with it.
- Upheavals of Thought and Feeling
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum's far-reaching ideas illuminate the often ignored elements of human life—aging, inequality and emotion. An in-depth interview with Martha Nussbaum.
- Why Can’t You Mind Your Own Business?
Experiments in cognitive science, neuroimaging and social psychology are overturning an assumption common prior to our philosophical era, namely that one thing you can know for sure is your own mind.
- Philosopher and Minister of Education
Philosopher Mircea Dumitru has been appointed Minister of Education in Romania.
- The Brain in the Vat in the Matrix in the Video Game in the Dream and You
How do you know that you're not just a brain in a vat, being fed electrical impulses by a supercomputer in a far off galaxy? American philosopher Hilary Putnam came up with a compelling answer. And that's not all he tackled. We mark the passing of a giant by looking at some of Putnam's key insights on mind, language, values, and of course, the brain in a vat—a thought experiment envisioned in The Matrix. (audio)
- Any Number of Necessary Beings
An interview with the philosopher Bob Hale.
- The Value of Virtual Worlds
Pokemon Go has thrown the monsters among the monuments. But what of the philosophical problems raised by virtual and augmented reality? Philosopher David Chalmers takes down some common objections. (audio)
- Ethics for Foodies
What is it about foodie culture that people find so morally objectionable? Why don't the same considerations apply to other luxury items? Full-time moral philosopher and part-time foodie Susan Wolf defends the right to indulge. (audio)
- It Strengthened My Mind
Ann Gualtieri started as an art major before shifting gears to study philosophy. Then, after collecting bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in philosophy, she shifted to the business world, working in global leadership positions for major corporations. "I loved the rigor of it. I liked how it strengthened my mind. It made me smarter."
- Cultural Evolution
An interview with phiilosopher Tim Lewens.
- Race and Our Two Realities
Philosopher Chris Lebron tries to get to the bottom of why discourse about how "black lives don't matter in America today" often go awry.
- How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Less Free Will
Free will is on the run. Bit by scientific bit, the belief that we might actually command our own domain is in retreat. But all is not lost, according to Julian Baggini, who's very comfortable with the idea of not having total control. Relax and enjoy with us a healthy dose of compatibilism. (audio)
- Getting a Philosophical Jump on Your Midlife Crisis
We know it's common enough, but can philosophers shed any light on midlife crisis? MIT philosopher Kieran Setiya thinks he can. (audio)
- Can a Robot Feel?
And are you sure you want to find out? Philosopher Susan Schneider discusses non-biological experiencers and the consciousness of superintelligent AI. (video)
- The Mixed Race Experience
An interview with philosopher Tina Fernandes Botts.
- Beyond the Scientific Method
Philosopher James Blachowicz argues that the term "scientific method" is a misnomer, because the method is everywhere and is not special to science.
- Cicero and Tully on Aging
Growing old is an undeniable fact of life, though for many not a season to look forward to. The famed Roman orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero had put his mind to the dilemma two millennia ago, proposing a ten-point self-help plan. But does it still stand up in our fast-paced modern utilitarian world? (audio)
- One Universe at a Time, Please
Has physics gotten something really important really wrong? Sometimes the most important step one can take in science is back. When the path towards progress in a field becomes muddied, the best response may be to step away from all the technical specifics that make up day-to-day practice and begin pulling up the floorboards. In other words, rather than continuing to push on the science, it may be best to ask about the unspoken philosophies supporting that research effort.
- Are You Moral Enough to Be a Driverless Car?
The AI in your next car might be a neural network "tuned" by exposure to the moral decisions of ordinary folks like you and me. Why is that not making you feel safer right now? Are we morally developed enough to be the role model for an agentless system of moral decisionmaking?
- Sci-phi Short Story Competition
The American Philosophical Association is hosting a short story competition, "Philosophy Through Fiction." Sharpen your pencils. Deadline is Feb 1, 2017.