What is the value of memories? They are our personal histories. Often, memories extend beyond our individual stories. So to ask about the value of memories is to ask about the value of history. Awareness of the importance of history is one of the frequently stated critical differences between the continental and analytic philosophy traditions. … Continue reading Buried Giant and Forgotten Memories
Spreading the Word: What Is Continental Philosophy?
During the 20th century, many things happened. It was a busy century. Among all that busyness, disenchantment with long-lasting traditions, and rapid technological advancement, one divide emerged that still holds strong today - the divide between analytic and continental philosophy. Why did it happen, and what does it mean? Today I share a video by … Continue reading Spreading the Word: What Is Continental Philosophy?
John Stuart Mill on Truth and Meaning in Philosophy
What do we want to know when we ask why someone does something? For example, if you asked me, ‘Why are you writing this article?’ what answer would satisfy your expectations? I can respond in at least two ways. One would describe my writing as an act of the body, a certain physiological functionality manifesting … Continue reading John Stuart Mill on Truth and Meaning in Philosophy
No Hospitality Without Borders?
In a fascinating exploration of hospitality, philosopher Jacques Derrida, founder of "deconstruction", noted that, paradoxically, hospitality requires clear boundaries between the private and the public. For me to be able to exercise hospitality towards a guest, I need to feel that the integrity of my private sphere, my "at home" where I choose to welcome … Continue reading No Hospitality Without Borders?
Disrupting and Creating Meaning
We, humans, are remarkably flexible beings. Sometimes, we surprise even ourselves if we pay attention. For example, take Jacques Derrida's idea of deconstruction. As a way of thinking, it takes a settled meaning we accept as true and dismantles it to show how inherently arbitrary any one such interpretation is. In other words, its opposite … Continue reading Disrupting and Creating Meaning
Spreading the Word: What is Deconstruction?
What do philosophers mean when they talk about deconstruction? This concept is rather simpler than it might sound. It is associated with the 20th-century philosopher Jacques Derrida who introduced it as a notion describing a way of thinking. What sort of thinking? Have a listen to this interesting short video and find out about some … Continue reading Spreading the Word: What is Deconstruction?
Spreading the Word: Phenomenology of Edmund Husserl
The 20th-century German mathematician-turned-philosopher Edmund Husserl was the principal founder of the philosophical school and method of Phenomenology. His works are still actively studied today and he is considered one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. One way of approaching the vast phenomenon that is phenomenology (pun intended), is to explore the … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Phenomenology of Edmund Husserl
Spreading the Word: Continental vs Analytic Philosophy
In this week's "Spreading the Word", I share with you a podcast episode. It is one of BBC's In Our Time podcast. The topic of discussion is the so-called continental-analytic split in philosophy. I learned about the existence of such split only very recently and have been trying to find a good, comprehensive explanation of … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Continental vs Analytic Philosophy
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