Mini-Heap
Here’s the latest Mini-Heap: 10 recent items of interest to philosophers (and others interested in philosophy) from the Daily Nous Heap of Links.
(The Heap of Links consists partly of suggestions from readers; if you find something online that you think would be of interest to the philosophical community, please send it in for consideration for the Heap.)
- Part of the practical value of philosophy, say, for businesses, is that it fosters “perceptive thinking” — the “the art of… getting inside what something is, of assessing the web of relations that constitute a thing.”
- “Plato’s Lair” is an immersive installation by Peter Hanmer — and winner of the 2017 Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor competition
- The phrase “necessary and sufficient” is often misused by scientists — and the result is sloppy neuroscience
- The “Ask-A-Philosopher” table — a wonderful example of public philosophy
- “Access to the general public, granted by institutions like television networks, newspapers, magazines, and university lectures, is a finite resource” — What is the just way to apportion that resource? Bryan Van Norden on the right to an audience
- Philosopher Olufemi O. Taiwo (Georgetown) is also a musician — do yourself a favor and check this out
- There’s no reason to believe in homeopathic medicine — yet might there be a reason to allow NHS doctors to prescribe it? John Worrall (LSE) considers the question
- Utilitarians try to ruin the World Cup — or perhaps this is a reductio of utilitarianism?
- The reversal of the Flynn effect — what explains it?
- Favorite philosophy article titles — add yours
In public philosophy we could usefully contribute by discussing the ethics of lying. I recently coined the term “Deceptocracy” to describe our present form of government. George Stephanopoulos introduced me to the word “Kakistocracy”, meaning “government by the worst people”. So we live in a Kakistocratic Deceptocracy.