Philosophy Now

Philosophy Now is a magazine for everyone interested in ideas. It isn't afraid to tackle all the major questions of life, the universe and everything. It tries to corrupt innocent citizens by convincing them that philosophy can be exciting, worthwhile and comprehensible, and also to provide some light and enjoyable reading matter for those already ensnared by the muse, such as philosophy students and academics. It contains articles on all aspects of philosophy, plus book reviews, film reviews, news, cartoons, and the occasional short story.

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Philosophers on Sleeping • Pop songs are usually about variations on the theme of love. But there are exceptions to the rule. ‘More songs about Buildings and Food’ was the title of a 1978 album by the rock band Talking Heads. It was about all the things rock stars normally don’t sing about. Philosophers, likewise, tend to have a narrow focus on epistemology, metaphysics and trifles like the meaning of life. But occasionally great minds stray from their turf and write about other matters, for example buildings (Martin Heidegger), food (Hobbes), tomato juice (Robert Nozick), and the weather (Lucretius and Aristotle). This series of Shorts is about these unfamiliar themes; about the things philosophers also write about.

Recognition & Protest • Andrew Hyams recognises what fuels protest movements.

The Ethics of Fat Shaming • Charlotte Curran tells us precisely why fat shaming is unethical.

A Stoic Approach to Racism • Frank Thermitus says prepare for the worst to achieve the best.

Is Election Meddling an Act of War? • Elad Uzan argues that although it may well be, this doesn’t necessarily justify a warlike response.

Nonhuman Persons • Gerard Elfstrom asks what such creatures, if they exist, would be like and how much it matters morally.

Philosophers’ Cafe

Abortion & Artificial Wombs • Ji Young Lee and Andrea Bidoli discuss how artificial womb technology will shape the abortion rights discussion.

Deleuze & Guattari’s Friendly Concepts • Karen Parham explores the collection of curious concepts Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari use in their organic perception of reality.

René Descartes: A Yogi? • Sujantra McKeever finds striking similarities between Cartesian and yogic thought.

Reason & Emotion • James R. Robinson finds ways of bridging the gap (or not).

John Stuart Mill

Phenomenology At The Beach • Chad Engelland philosophically analyses the experience of being at the seaside.

Leibniz on Unicorns • Dean Ericksen finds something strange in his cabinet of philosophical curiosities.

C.S. LEWIS (1898-1963) • Martin Jenkins gathers his courage, steps through the wardrobe and meets an enchanting professor.

Interview • Martin Savransky is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. He works at the intersections of philosophy, postcolonial studies & political ecology. Thiago Pinho talks with him about Pragmatism and the politics of the pluriverse.

SIMON + FINN

Letters • When inspiration strikes, don’t bottle it up. Email me at rick.lewis@philosophynow.org Keep them short and keep them coming!

Evil Overruled • Peter Adamson considers explanations of evil in the context of slavery in nineteenth century America.

What is Philosophy For? • To philosophy … and beyond! John Shand agrees with Mary Midgley about philosophy’s purpose, Kieran Brayford thinks ahead, and Joshua Schrier asks whether artificial real intelligence is possible.

Philosophy in a Technological World: Gods and Titans

The Promise of Artificial Intelligence

CASABLANCA • Brian McCusker looks and leaps into Casablanca...