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.

Reality Check

Philosophy Now

some of our Contributors

News

Philosophers on Marriage

Get Real • Paul Doolan reveals that the real problem with ‘the real world’ is knowing what ‘real’ really means.

Against Direct Realism • Paul Griffiths argues that modern metaphysics is taking a wrong turn.

Coronavirus, Correlation & Causation • Martin Jenkins uses the virus to test our knowledge of causation.

Buddhist Metaphysics • Brian Morris describes four varieties of Buddhist metaphysics, and questions whether they can form one coherent system of thought.

Is Mathematics in the Fabric of the Universe? • Adrian Brockless unravels the threads.

Categories & Their Discontents

Philosophical Haiku

So You Think There are Laws in Nature? • Eleni Angelou eavesdrops on a conversation between a Believer and a Sceptic.

The Philosophy of Japanese Gardens • Sailee Khurjekar says that size matters when it comes to horticulture.

Liberal Individualism & Cultural Decay • Raymond D. Boisvert considers how the first leads to the second.

Expanding the Original Position to Animals • Matthew Chalmers applies the political philosophy of John Rawls to creatures great and small.

SIMON + FINN

Pascal’s Carriage • On November 23rd 1654, the two front horses of Pascal’s carriage dashed over the parapet of the bridge at Neuilly.

Against Veganism • Chris Belshaw makes the case for rearing animals for their meat and produce.

Moral Philosophy & Being Good • Charlie White asks, what’s the purpose of moral philosophy? Can it take us to a good place?

Philosopher’s Café

Terry Pinkard • Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University in Washington DC, helps Amirali Maleki dispel some popular misconceptions about G.W.F. Hegel’s political thought.

Letters • When inspiration strikes, don’t bottle it up! Write to me at: Philosophy Now 43a Jerningham Road • London • SE14 5NQ, U.K. or email rick.lewis@philosophynow.org Keep them short and keep them coming!

Books • This issue we travel back in time in Germany, as Leonid Bilmes uses words and symbols to consider the words and symbols of four famous ‘Weimar magicians’, and Douglas Groothuis thinks nothing of Max Stirner’s nihilism.

All Things are Nothing To Me by Jacob Blumenfeld

‘WE’RE ALL JUST RATS IN MAZES’ • Jarid Goodman watches rats negotiate the maze of popular culture.

Mind Without Matter • Peter Adamson traces ancient arguments against materialism.

Cogitating in Cambridge • Seán Moran takes a punt on reality.

On Making and Keeping Appointments • Raymond Tallis introduces post-tensed time.

Subscribe to Philosophy Now

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) • Hilarius Bogbinder discovers the surprisingly revolutionary views of one of the Catholic Church’s most revered philosophers.

The Parable of Aladdina • Michael Langford says you should be careful what you ask from a genie, or you might get lamped.