Philosophy

New Lanark

Utopia? Forget About It. Time for ‘Untopia.’ Utopia? Forget About It. Time for ‘Untopia.’

Striving for the perfect society has been the cause of great misery. We should embrace our imperfections.

Nov 4, 2016 / Walter Mosley

Freud’s Discontents

Freud’s Discontents Freud’s Discontents

Why did one of the 20th century’s most influential thinkers fade from significance?

Nov 2, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Samuel Moyn

A Starting Point for Politics

A Starting Point for Politics A Starting Point for Politics

The radical life and times of Stuart Hall.

Oct 27, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Bruce Robbins

Alcatraz prison

The Case Against Prisons The Case Against Prisons

Alternatives to imprisonment are working around the world—so why isn’t the United States on board?

Sep 26, 2016 / Rebecca Gordon

A Lion in Winter

A Lion in Winter A Lion in Winter

Jürgen Habermas remains an indispensable guide to the unfinished project of democratic consciousness and enlightenment.

Sep 14, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Peter E. Gordon

Affliction and Salvation

Affliction and Salvation Affliction and Salvation

Love was a learned art for Iris Murdoch, because it involved realizing that something other than the self is real.

Sep 9, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Becca Rothfeld

Krista Tippett at PopTech

Krista Tippett: Speaking of Faith Krista Tippett: Speaking of Faith

In a new book, the host of NPR’s On Being tries to formulate a unified theory of secular spirituality.

Aug 19, 2016 / Michele Moses

The Gadfly and the Spider

The Gadfly and the Spider The Gadfly and the Spider

Justin E.H. Smith wants to convince academic philosophers that it’s a problem to define philosophy narrowly as a Western endeavor.

Aug 10, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Nausicaa Renner

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple The Odd Couple

Through their editorial work on the writings of Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno and Gershom Scholem forged an unlikely friendship.

Jun 9, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Peter E. Gordon

Hume’s Call to Action

Hume’s Call to Action Hume’s Call to Action

For philosophy to be effective, it has to understand the world in which it operates. David Hume brought history and politics to the realm of ideas.

Apr 20, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Richard Bourke

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