New links of interest to those interested in philosophy…

1. “There are reasons to think that the view from the deathbed is worse, not better, than the view from the midst of life” — Neil Levy (Oxford) on the idea that those close to death have special insight into what makes for a good life
2. What’s good about philosophy and what philosophy is good at — a conversation with me about these and related issues on “Brain in a Vat”
3. Can you name an ancient woman philosopher? Great. Now name five more. — Dawn LaValle Norman (Australian Catholic) can help you out
4. Coming soon: a tool for the accurate machine-reading of medieval Latin texts — learn more about it and attend a training session on how to use it this week (via Bob Pasnau)
5. Perhaps it should have been “Immanuel and the Purple Crayon” — Marshall Thompson (FSU) looks at philosophical themes in children’s books
6. “He’s got the instincts of a grand unifier” and “the heart of a multiplier” — the fascinating ideas of Spinoza, discussed in an interview with Sam Newlands (Notre Dame)
7. “When Harvard’s administrators tell Professor West that they cannot bring him up for tenure because it’s ‘too risky’ and he’s ‘too controversial,’ they completely undermine the point of tenure” — Robin D. G. Kelley (UCLA) on Cornel West, tenure, and Harvard

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

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!