July 2020
Philosophers On GPT-3 (updated with replies by GPT-3)
Nine philosophers explore the various issues and questions raised by the newly released language model, GPT-3, in this edition of Philosophers On, guest edited by Annette Zimmermann. (more…)
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Recent additions to the Heap of Links… (more…)
No Escape from Metaphysics
I think the contemporary scene is thriving. But you still run into critics of metaphysics. I find these critics genuinely puzzling. Let me try to explain why. (more…)
$1.45 Million Grant Won for Project on Philosophy of Science and Theology
Meghan Page, assistant professor of philosophy at Loyola University Maryland has won a grant of $1,455,601 to support her project, “Building Foundations in Science-Engaged Theology: Insights from Philosophy of Science”. (more…)
To φ Or Not To φ
Philosophy Department and Others Targeted by Cuts at Canisius College
John J. Hurley, the president of Canisius College, a private liberal arts college in upstate New York, has announced that the school plans on laying off faculty, many tenured, including members of the Department of Philosophy. (more…)
Philosophers Elected to the British Academy
Several philosophy professors are among the 2020 class of fellows of the British Academy. (more…)
How Do Moral Philosophy Courses Affect Student Behavior?
Do college philosophy courses in ethics affect the real-world choices of the students who take them? A trio of philosophers recently took up this question and have just published their results. (more…)
Yes, There’s Still Time to Design an Excellent Fall Course (guest post by Paul Blaschko)
It’s almost August (sorry!). Do you know what you are doing in your courses this fall? Don’t panic. Paul Blaschko is back with another guest post* to explain how you still have time to put together a great course. (more…)
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New philosophy-related links… (more…)
Online Philosophy Resources Weekly Update
The report on new and revised entries in online philosophy resources and new reviews of philosophy books… (more…)
Philosophy Reality TV
Philosophy has had turns on television talk shows, sitcoms, and sci-fi dramas, but a recent news item might prompt thoughts of the possibility of a philosophy-themed reality-TV show. (more…)
New Journal: AI and Ethics
A new interdisciplinary academic journal, AI and Ethics, aims to “promote informed debate and discussion of the ethical, regulatory, and policy implications that arise from the development of AI.” (more…)
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Mid-week Mini-Heap… (more…)
Philosophy, Employment, and the Public Good (guest post by Alison Assiter)
“Educating students in philosophy and the humanities is a public good. We need people who think analytically and imaginatively and in unusual ways.” (more…)
Hybrid & Online Teaching: Four Helpful Workshops
Julia Staffel, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Zak Kopeikin, a new graduate of the PhD program there, recently conducted four online workshops on hybrid and online teaching, sharing what they know about online teaching strategies and technology to save others the time and trouble of researching and figuring out various o..
John “Jay” Reuscher (1930-2020)
John Alfred Reuscher, known to many as Jay Reuscher, professor emeritus of philosophy at Georgetown University, died last month owing to complications from COVID-19. (more…)
Cullity from Adelaide to ANU
Garrett Cullity has just moved from the University of Adelaide to take up a position as professor of philosophy at Australian National University (ANU). (more…)
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Links of interest to those interested in philosophy… (more…)
Open, Live, and Online Philosophy Events Spreadsheet
This is a reminder to list events on the Open, Live, and Online Philosophy Events Spreadsheet. (more…)
Philosophy Threatened at Carthage College
John Swallow, the president of Carthage College, a liberal arts college in Wisconsin that bills itself as “widely recognized for excellence,” has announced an academic restructuring plan that eliminates the school’s Department of Philosophy and, possibly, its philosophy major and minor. (more…)
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Recent additions to the Heap of Links… (more…)
Schneider from Connecticut to Florida Atlantic
Susan Schneider, professor of philosophy and cognitive science at the University of Connecticut and current NASA-Baruch Blumberg Chair at the Library of Congress and NASA, is moving to Florida Atlantic University (FAU). (more…)
Major Videogame Developer Partners with Philosophy Department
Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, currently one of the world’s most popular video games, and Unreal Engine, a virtual 3D design tool, has partnered with the Faculty of Philosophy at Moscow State University (MSU) in Russia. (more…)
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Friday Mini-Heap… (more…)
Philosophy Survives at Illinois Wesleyan
Today the Board of Trustees of Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) met to decide on their proposal, announced last month, to eliminate various programs and departments at the school, including philosophy. Not all programs survived, but philosophy did. (more…)
Philosophers, Epidemiologists & Others Call for Human Challenge Trials for COVID-19 Vaccine
125 experts in various fields have signed a letter to the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Francis Collins, calling for the U.S. government “to undertake immediate preparations for human challenge trials” for a vaccine for COVID-19. (more…)
Philosophers on Prospect’s 2020 Top 50 Thinkers List
Several scholars who work on philosophy have made it onto Prospect‘s list of “The World’s Top 50 Thinkers” this year. (more…)