Plato is well known to have composed his philosophical texts in a dialogue form. Most frequently, he places the historical person of Socrates in the center of his dialogues; the great philosopher who wrote nothing down then engages with various other historical characters, more or less antagonistically, depending on the dialogue, and questions them aboutContinue reading “Dialectics and History”
Category Archives: Theory
Some Notes on Humour
You know – nostalgia just isn’t what it used to be… A somewhat niche topic of interest to me has been the philosophy of humour. It is not a booming field, and I recognize that many people do not like to critically unpack jokes – I am sure many of us have had the gruelingContinue reading “Some Notes on Humour”
Reason & Revelation: Questioning Our Beginnings
I have recently had the pleasure of returning to the work of Leo Strauss, a man who has become somewhat unfashionable in universities despite having much purchase throughout the last half century. The precise reason for why he has been cast aside by many is not quite clear to me, though perhaps it has toContinue reading “Reason & Revelation: Questioning Our Beginnings”
Assigned or Received?
I came across a clip from a philosophy-focused Youtuber who was discussing the odd nature of what it means to support a sports team. He ventures through a number of logical dilemmas with his guest that are all quite preposterous; they tend to rely on rather bizarre circumstances that, as far as I know, haveContinue reading “Assigned or Received?”
Idealism and the Unfolding of Experience
This post is meant to be the first in a set of posts to come—posts I have certainly not written. I merely put this as a preamble for anyone interested in the topic(s) I hope to continue discussing, both to help give a slight backdrop to said posts and explain how I see these intellectualContinue reading “Idealism and the Unfolding of Experience”
A Problem of History
Modern German terminology holds a distinction between two different words that can both be translated into English as ‘history.’ Historie, evidently connected with our own English term, means the formal study of the past by historians; Geschichte, on the other hand, is a term that usually means ‘story’ or ‘fable’ but can also mean history,Continue reading “A Problem of History”
A Concern with Teleology
A common trope among many people who are ‘traditionally’ minded is to invoke a conception of human ‘purpose’ or ‘end.’ In philosophical jargon, this is typically called Teleology (from Greek τέλος (tel-os), often translated into English as ‘end,’ ‘purpose,’ or ‘goal’), a notion in which things have an inherent meaning that must be pursued. WeContinue reading “A Concern with Teleology”
A Skeptical View
A common theme within my rambling attempts at philosophy is that of a profound and thorough skepticism. This is made clear by simply looking to my most beloved influences: Plato, St. Augustine, Michel de Montaigne, and Michael Oakeshott. Labeling some of these thinkers as ‘skeptics’ will, I imagine, jar some readers. Take just Plato: thisContinue reading “A Skeptical View”
A Techne of the Self
A supposed ‘problem’ that has presented itself within the last few years is that of ‘cancel culture.’ I am inclined to think that this issue is rather overstated. A recent example is that of J.K. Rowling being ‘canceled’ for her comments regarding trans-rights issues. Some social commentators believed this represented the issue of ‘online mobContinue reading “A Techne of the Self”
Freedom and Determinacy
“Call it, he said.She looked at him, at his outheld wrist. What? She said.Call it.I wont do it.Yes you will. Call it.God would not want me to do that.Of course he would. You should try to save yourself. Call it. This is your last chance.Heads, she said.He lifted his hand away. The coin was tails.I’mContinue reading “Freedom and Determinacy”
Hoping for Clarity 