Mini-Heap!


Yet another Mini-Heap!

  1. Regular coffee consumption linked to decreased ability to answer abstract questions, consider hypothetical scenarios, and “detect bullshit”  — according to a recent study in Nature.
  2. There’s a new $500,000 Templeton Prize in “philosophy of mind” — its first winner is Jordan Peterson (Toronto).
  3. “I, Kant, Go For That”, “What Hobbes’ Fool Believes,” “I *Can* Tell You Why”, and more — philosophers form yacht-rock band, “Soft Determinism,” to bring philosophy to the public in easy-listening form.
  4. The latest service from the folks at PhilPapers uses “hey Siri”-like technology to warn you when you are being “too philosophical” with friends and family — sign up for PhilTer and save those relationships.
  5. Unsurprising new philosophy book yields surprising alliance — Jason Brennan (Georgetown) is promoting his new “Against Puppies,” with help from PETA (via Jason Brennan)
  6. “I used to think this issue was complicated but actually I’ve come to think it’s more complicated than that, while at the same time thinking we should appreciate what leads people to think it’s not complicated at all” — video of a “talk” by Justin Weinberg (South Carolina) at local Wendy’s drive-through.
  7. Unearthed fragments of dialogue suggest new interpretation of Heraclitus — “Heraclitus, what about creeks?” “The same creek you can step into twice.” “What about brooks?” “Brooks, too. I was really just talking about rivers.” “Streams?” “Can you stop now?”

Mini-Heap posts appear when 7 or so new items accumulate in the Heap of Links, the ever-growing collection of items from around the web that may be of interest to philosophers.

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. Thanks, and Happy April Fools, philosofriends!

COMMENTS POLICY

Warwick University MA in Philosophy
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Ryan Lake
4 years ago

Okay I’ll admit, I started to panic for a moment at the first one.

And someone needs to make #3 a reality

Joshua Synon
Reply to  Ryan Lake
4 years ago

Are the links on this one working for you? For some reason, they’re just text for me.

Joshua Synon
Reply to  Joshua Synon
4 years ago

Haha. You got me, Justin. Nice one. Happy April Fools!

William
William
Reply to  Ryan Lake
4 years ago

1 and 2 just sent me from bad to worse panic.

Dr Mike Buck
Dr Mike Buck
4 years ago

Dear Editor,

There are several philosophical nuggets on FB @ObjetsArt including this one.

Those mind freezing moments in our social interactions brought on by requests to – “talk to me”, “say something”, “tell me a joke” – engenders total silence from a suddenly frozen mind.

Professor Kant tried that out on me.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1326221840836454&id=723192197806091

Alan White
Alan White
4 years ago

Puts a smile on my face and a song in my head, Justin!

I, Kant, go for that–
Yes, yes can do, yes
I, Kant, go for that–
Yes, yes can do, yes. . .

Thanks for taking the time for this April foolishness!