Loneliness is a vulnerability we all, as human beings, are exposed to. While there are different ways each of us experiences loneliness, what we all share is the risk of feeling lonely. Perhaps it is an unavoidable risk, as much as we might want to escape it. But loneliness is not a single kind of … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Feeling Lonely When Not Alone
What Is Philosophy? Thinking About the Question (Part 2 of 2)
In this second part of my essay (see the first part here), I focus on exploring the relational identity of philosophy in terms of philosophy’s social relevance and contributions. A number of recent articles have directly or indirectly addressed the question of philosophy’s identity. Some of the common themes that emerged include philosophy’s role … Continue reading What Is Philosophy? Thinking About the Question (Part 2 of 2)
What Is Philosophy? Thinking About the Question (Part 1 of 2)
What is philosophy? What are the mysterious people called ‘philosophers’ doing, and what is their role in human society? In this paper, I do not aim to answer these questions definitively. Instead, my goal is to explore the question itself. What do we mean when we ask what is philosophy and what is the role of philosophers? … Continue reading What Is Philosophy? Thinking About the Question (Part 1 of 2)
María Lugones on Intersectionality
Intersectionality makes visible what is obscured by thinking in separate categories. In her 2007 essay Heterosexualism and the Colonial / Modern Gender System, philosopher María Lugones writes: "Intersectionality reveals what is not seen when categories such as gender and race are conceptualized as separate from each other. The move to intersect the categories has been … Continue reading María Lugones on Intersectionality
Spreading the Word: Philosophy’s Role Today
What is the role of philosophy in our modern age? We no longer believe in grand narratives (for the most part!), and empirical sciences seem to hold the keys to all existing and future knowledge. So what about philosophy - is there any place for it left? Although one of the oldest of disciplines that … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Philosophy’s Role Today
Thoreau and Thoughts on Nature
Why do we think we can go 'out into' nature and observe it when we are, ourselves, its part? Nature can put things into perspective for us because it puts us into perspective. What has this tree experienced? (my photo) "We can never have enough of Nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of … Continue reading Thoreau and Thoughts on Nature
Spreading the Word: Grappling with Relativism
If we construct our ethical reality and the way we construct it varies across cultures and times, then what is to keep us from falling into paralysing relativism where anything goes or reacting radically by positing a universal moral law? Freelance writer and philosopher Daniel Callcut explores this question in his recent article for Aeon. … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Grappling with Relativism
Maurice Merleau-Ponty on the Social World
He was friends with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, and sought to come up with a theoretical alternative to the dichotomy of idealism vs realism. French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty thought that both these positions share the mistaken assumption of a ready-made world that we can know either intellectually (idealism) or empirically (realism). What was … Continue reading Maurice Merleau-Ponty on the Social World
Philosophical Quote About Aging
Just as philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre was writing fiction, so did his lifelong partner, philosopher and feminist activist Simone de Beauvoir. Here is a short quote from her story "The Age of Discretion", in the voice of the main character, a recently retired former teacher, intellectual, active writer, mother, and wife. "Reflexions, echoes, reverberating back and … Continue reading Philosophical Quote About Aging
Philosophical Quote From Philosophical Novel
This is a short quote from Jean-Paul Sartre's novel "Nausea", thought by the novel's main (and practically only) character, a disillusioned historian. "I am beginning to believe that nothing can ever be proved. These are reasonable hypotheses which take the facts into account: but I am only too well aware that they come from me, … Continue reading Philosophical Quote From Philosophical Novel
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