philosophers
TagPhilosophers Appointed To High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence
The European Commission (EC), which proposes and administers European Union (EU) law and policy, has created a new High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, the aim of which is to advise on the crafting and implementation of the EU’s strategy on artificial intelligence. (more…)
How Philosophy Makes Progress (guest post by Agnes Callard)
Instead of gauging progress by asking what “we” philosophers agree about, one should ask whether someone who wants to do philosophy is in a better position to do so today than she would’ve been 10 or 100 or 1000 years ago? The answer is: certainly. (more…)
Philosophers Argue Against Equal Fetal Rights Amendment in Irish Constitution
A referendum is being conducted this week in Ireland over whether to repeal the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, which declares that “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that righ..
The Absurdity of Philosophy
“There’s something especially absurd about philosophers.”
That’s Helena de Bres, associate professor of philosophy at Wellesley College and comic author, writing about absurdity and philosophy at Aeon.
Philosophers Launch Policy Debate and Book Project
Nearly 30 philosophers have embarked upon a project to engage in policy discussion and debates with the public in anticipation of the 2019 European Parliament elections. (more…)
Research on Public Attitudes Towards Philosophy & Philosophers
“Science communication is a profession in its own right with journals, higher degrees and careers paths,” notes philosopher Brendan Larvor (Hertfordshire). Yet there does not appear to be much of a “philosophy communication” analog. He notes, “so far as I know there is no research on public attitudes towards philosophy and philosophers.” (more…)
Judge Cites Philosophers in Decision on Chimpanzee Case
The State of New York Court of Appeals rendered a verdict yesterday in a case involving the question of whether chimpanzees are persons, and in doing so, cited the work of Tom Regan and an amicus curiae written by several philosophers. (more…)
$1.37 Million Grant for Philosophy of Cosmology
Christopher Smeenk, associate professor of philosophy at Western University, and James Weatherall, professor of logic and philosophy of science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), have been awarded a $1.37 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for their project, “New Directions in Philosophy of Cosmology.”
Lascano and Raibley from CSU Long Beach to University of Kansas
Marcy Lascano and Jason Raibley, currently professors of philosophy at California State University, Long Beach, have both accepted senior positions in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Kansas. (more…)
Philosophers Awarded $1 Million Prizes for Work in Bioethics and History of Science
Lorraine Daston (Max Planck Institute), Ezekiel Emanuel (University of Pennsylvania), Jonathan Glover (Kings College London), Evelyn Fox Keller (MIT), Simon Schaffer (Cambridge), and Mary Warnock (Oxford) are each winners of the 2018 Dan David Prizes, an international award endowed by the Dan David Foundation.
On Deciding To Become A Philosopher
If I knew then what I know now, I certainly would’ve “decided” to become a philosopher. But back when I was working my way here, I didn’t really know what a philosopher was, or why one would want to be one. I didn’t have the materials for making the relevant decision—and by the time I did, I was already a philosopher.
Which Conferences Should Philosophy Grad Students Attend?
The Creativity of Philosophy
“I think of philosophy as partly a creative process and discipline, and I think it would be a tremendous shame if we lost sight of that part of things.” (more…)
When Philosophers Are on the Money (guest post by Maks Sipowicz)
The following is a guest post* by Maks Sipowicz, a doctoral candidate in philosophy at Monash University (whom you can follow on Twitter: @m_sipowicz ). A version of the post first appeared on his blog, Philosophy After Dark (which you can follow on Facebook). (more…)
Philosophers Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has announced its newly elected members, including several academics who work in philosophy. (more…)
Philosophers Win Fellowships from ACLS
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has announced the scholars selected for its various fellowship programs. A few philosophers are among the fellows. (more…)
Philosophers Among Latest Round of NEH Grant Winners (updated)
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently announced $18.6 million in grants for 199 humanities projects. A number of philosophers are among the recipients.
Syria and Misconceptions about Philosophy
In the wake of suspected recent chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians by their own government, The Atlantic reached out to a few philosophers to learn what the “moral course of action” is for the United States. The collection of answers suggests a problem with public philosophy. (more…)
Philosophers Among Recent NSF Grant Winners
Philosophers have been among the recent winners of substantial grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a variety of projects.
Three Philosophers Win Guggenheim Fellowships (corrected)
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation announced today the winners of its 2018 Guggenheim Fellowships. Of the 173 fellowships awarded, three went to philosophers. (more…)
Loyola’s Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Strike
Non-tenure-track faculty at Loyola University Chicago went on strike this morning, after two years of negotiations between between their union (Service Employees International Union Local 73 Branch, which they joined in 2016) and the university’s administration. (more…)
Philosophers Win Mellon “New Directions” Fellowships
Two philosophers are among this year’s recipients of “New Directions” Fellowships from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. (more…)
Rubio Warms Up To Philosophy
In November of 2015, Florida Senator and then presidential candidate Marco Rubio had some critical remarks for higher education in the United States, calling it outdated and saying, “I don’t know why we have stigmatized vocational education. Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers.” (more…)
Ubermess: Philosophers Discuss the Self-Driving Car Crash
On March 19, 2018 a self-driving Uber car-for-hire struck and killed a pedestrian, Elaine Herzberg, in Tempe, Arizona. This was not the first trouble Uber has had with its self-driving cars, nor was it the first fatal crash involving a self-driving car (for example). (more…)
Philosopher Clothing
What should we wear?
This is the “Gottlob Frege: Begriffsschrift” A-line dress, designed by philosopher-artist Maureen Eckert and brought to my attention by Sara Bernstein. The pattern is also available on leggings. She also has clothing available with a square of opposition on it, such as this shirt. (more…)
James Montmarquet (1947-2018)
James Montmarquet, professor of philosophy at Tennessee State University, has died. (more…)
Leeds Declares Punitive Pay Measures Against Faculty; Philosophers Respond By Resigning As External Examiners
The University of Leeds has told its faculty and staff that they will not be paid while on strike, and will be docked 25% for each day, after they’ve returned to work, that they fail to reschedule class time missed during the strike, according to Leeds Live. (more…)
Project to Develop Code of Publishing Ethics for Philosophy Awarded $75k
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a $75,000 grant to a a team undertaking the development of a code of publishing ethics for philosophy. (more…)