David Hume said, "Be a philosopher; but amidst all your philosophy, be still a man." The thing is, studying philosophy may or may not have an effect on your life. Even if it does, people usually follow Hume's advice to compartmentalize. Meta-ethics is typical of philosophy here. Moral skeptics often clarify that they're motivated by all the right ethical principles, but Continue Reading …
Quasi-Moral Skepticism
Philosophy is littered with realisms and skepticisms. Meta-ethics is no different. Moral skepticisms abound and there are many moral realisms. It's a risk of excess to add one more to the pile, but hopefully the risk is worth it. This essay charts a middle course that could just as easily be called Quasi-realism, a more glass half-full name. That is, if Simon Blackburn hadn't Continue Reading …
The Inescapable Imperative
Moral reasons are strong. That's what you'd expect, at least. They're weighty but not dull, alive but not hedonistic. It's strange then that the term used time and again to describe the ultimate importance of moral reasoning is "objective," a word so bloodless and clinical. Still, there's something there that attempts to articulate the bottom-line concern. It's understandable, Continue Reading …
What’s the Deal with Why?
Philip Goff’s Why? lays out the case for cosmic purpose built into the universe from the very beginning, thereby showing our own lives to be imbued with meaning. It’s a bold work, touching on heady ideas like fine-tuning of the universe, the nature of probability, consciousness, and more. But the main idea remains - we can derive deep meaning and value in our lives, as we’re a Continue Reading …
On Politics and Heartbreak in 2024
People are heartbroken. Trump Derangement Syndrome has turned into Trump Depression Syndrome. Some of us predicted that a loss in 2024 wouldn’t be as traumatic as 2016. It wouldn’t be as much of a shock. The popular vote and electoral college would probably run together. It would feel like less of a fluke. What we overlooked is that depression, past a certain threshold, is Continue Reading …
Stop Playing the Parlor Game!
"Cancel Culture." If you’re extremely online or plugged into the discourse at all, your blood pressure probably spiked upon reading just those two words. The topic’s heat-to-light ratio is heavily skewed to heat. A recent open letter in Harper’s, signed by over 150 public intellectuals of the centrist, liberal, and leftist variety, warns of excessive and growing Continue Reading …
In Dreams
There’s safety in delusion. People sometimes say it takes special courage to face the world as it is, even more to face ourselves, and we know the truth doesn’t always feel good. It can be painful. Perhaps, then, a moderate amount of delusion can be, well, healthy. Ta-Nehisi Coates has something else in mind. “To awaken the Dreamers, to rouse them to the facts,” is the greatest Continue Reading …
Intellectual Character and the So-Called Hot Hand Fallacy
Quassim Cassam wants you to know that conspiracy theorists have bad character. In other words, bad thinking is not just bad thinking. It’s also a vice. Maybe Cassam is right. Intellectual character or the lack thereof is often overlooked, at least in general conversation. It’s not that we have an overabundance of trust and tolerance in our public discourse, which is obvious to Continue Reading …
A Lagging, Nagging Take on Her
Her got a lot of attention during its run in theaters. It even captured the attention of philosophers, no doubt because of the movie’s focus on artificial intelligence, a fixation of philosophy for at least as long as the term has been in our common vernacular. Released on DVD back in the spring, the movie received mostly (but not exclusively) positive reviews. Life in Her Continue Reading …
Give me Liberty in the month of February!
This month's Intro Group reading will be On Liberty by the nineteenth century British philosopher John Stuart Mill. There couldn't be a topic more relevant to our politics today. Consider the fact that in our national discussions, communities that make life difficult for individuals (who don't fit for one reason or another) are presumed to be oppressive and wrong. It's Continue Reading …
Win $20k from Sam Harris
Think back a few years. If you frequented The Partially Examined Life during that time, you’ll remember the heated debate inspired by Sam Harris’s The Moral Landscape (TML). The arguments in posts and comment sections across the blogosphere eventually took on a particularly impressive rancor. The ambient controversy helped land Harris on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Continue Reading …
January Not School Intro Group Reading
The Intro Reading Group for January is getting started in Not School, and we're looking for a couple or a few more takers. Hillary Szydlowski, the historical leader and organizer of the Intro group, is taking a much deserved break, and I'm excited to fill in as we're reading Harry Frankfurt's essay "On Bullshit" - and Gerald Cohen's response "Deeper Into Bullshit." - Aside Continue Reading …
Philosophy as Conceptual Border Patrol
The British philosopher Peter Hacker does not abide nonsense. In his January article "Why Philosophy" Hacker puts in his cross-hairs ideas taken seriously by politicians, scientists, and the intelligentsia in general. Let’s get to the specifics in a minute – the general outline is relevant to anyone hoping to grok the never-ending attempt to define philosophy. Perhaps this Continue Reading …