Tag Archives: Philosophy

Dichotomous Thinking in Western Philosophy and Political Economy (An Occasional Philosophical Note #2)

If there is any trait more characteristic of the mainstream of Western philosophical thought than the prevalence of dichotomies — either-ors, one might say — it would be difficult to identify what it might be. Another useful term for the … Continue reading

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Academia Embarrasses Itself Again: the Hypatia Affair

The last time I wrote a piece of this sort, an exposé of academic philosophers embarrassing themselves, it caused me some problems. I try to learn from my mistakes, and what I learned from that occasion could be set down … Continue reading

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What Should Philosophy Do? (Part 2)

Last week, we outlined four answers to this question, provided examples of each, and following a brief discussion of Comte’s Law of Three Stages and the rise of materialism as a philosophical dogma, brought our discussion to a tentative conclusion: … Continue reading

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What Should Philosophy Do? (Part 1)

Inspiring this series of posts (I’m thinking there might again be three) is John Horgan’s series on “What Is Philosophy’s Point?” in Scientific American (five installments, here, here, here, here, and here). I should begin by saying that I am … Continue reading

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Two Cultures, Two Americas — Post-Election 2016 Edition (Philosophical Reflections on an Empire In Decline)

The hostility of this election & the volatile mood of the country are indicative of two cultures, two Americas … unequal, unyoked, on collision course, & probably indicative of a nation in unavoidable decline. Continue reading

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Eight Theses on the “Alt-Right”

Prior to Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s speech last week, I’d barely heard the term “alt-right.” Seems I am not a part of it, if for no other reason than that I am too old. What it appears to be … Continue reading

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The 50 Most Influential Living Philosophers

Intriguing list of the “50 most influential living philosophers” at http://www.thebestschools.org/features/most-influential-living-philosophers/. Brian Leiter doesn’t much care for it, but this list seems to me reasonably balanced in offering representatives of, e.g., both Christian and atheist perspectives, Continental versus analytic philosophers, … Continue reading

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E-Philosophy: A Brief Manifesto

The word philosophy comes to us from two Greek words meaning the love of wisdom. What is wisdom? Knowledge, both theoretical and practical, used in ways both defining and helping to bring about what is good and beneficial in life … Continue reading

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What Is It Like to Be a Lost Generation Philosopher (Part 3)

[Continued from Parts One and Two] Given that you pursued a career in academic philosophy, any specific regrets? One big one from my early days. Not turning my MA thesis on Paul Feyerabend into my first book. The idea was … Continue reading

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What Is It Like to Be a Lost Generation Philosopher (Part 2)

[Continued from here.] Getting back to personal stuff again if you don’t mind: what did your parents make of your decision to go into philosophy? My mom had always encouraged me to find out and pursue what I was really … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Christian Worldview, Higher Education Generally, Libertarianism, Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Political Economy, Political Philosophy, Where Is Philosophy Going? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment