Are Rules Meant to Be Broken?
April 27, 2025
Rules exist for a reason: they tell us what to expect, they help us coordinate…
Why Be Reasonable?
August 30, 2026
“You’re being unreasonable.” “Reasonable doubt.” The “reasonable person” standard. Talk of reasonableness is everywhere we turn, but what does it actually come to? What makes something reasonable as opposed to unreasonable—and why does it matter? Could we hope for a society full of reasonable people,…
Changing Minds on Climate Change
April 20, 2025
There is consensus among scientists that global warming is real and that it’s caused by…
Iris Murdoch
April 13, 2025
Iris Murdoch may be best known for her works of fiction, but her philosophical contributions…
The Philosophy of Smell
April 6, 2025
When philosophers think about human perception, they tend to focus on vision and turn their…
In Search of Proust’s Philosophy
March 30, 2025
Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time challenges us to think hard about what we…
Thinking Like a Conspiracy Theorist
March 23, 2025
The moon landing was faked! JFK Jr. is still alive! Finland doesn’t exist! Conspiracy theories…
Why Trust Science?
March 9, 2025
According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans…
W.E.B. Du Bois
February 23, 2025
Sociologist, historian, philosopher, editor, writer, and activist, W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the most…
Liberty and Justice for Who?
February 2, 2025
Many democracies are founded on the ideals of 18th- and 19th-Century British Liberalism: the idea…
Climate Change and Collective Action
January 26, 2025
Catastrophic storms, floods, droughts, and fires are increasing in frequency all over the globe, and…
How to Create Virtuous Leaders
January 19, 2025
Ancient philosophers like Socrates and Plato believed that an education focused on developing good character…
Who Owns Culture?
January 5, 2025
Fashion designers, musicians, and Halloween costume wearers have been accused of engaging in cultural appropriation.…
The Examined Year: 2024
December 29, 2024
What happened over the past year that challenged our assumptions and made us think about…
What Is Political Inequality?
December 22, 2024
We all know our society is economically unequal: some people have more money and resources…
Is Optimism Rational?
December 8, 2024
When the odds are against you, believing in yourself can be a source of strength—but…
Spinoza
November 24, 2024
Baruch Spinoza was a 17th century Dutch philosopher who laid the foundations for the Enlightenment.…
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