They shouldn't let people like me attend used book sales, but now that the damage is done: how and where to begin reading Sartre? [more inside]
posted by notquitemaryann on Nov 4, 2009 - 20 answers

Where I can find resources inquiring into the ethics of horror films? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on Oct 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Are the existence of logical paradoxes evidence that logic is not Universal truth, or simply symptoms of incomplete or inaccurate semantic systems? [more inside]
posted by idyllhands on Oct 14, 2009 - 37 answers

Can anyone remind me which philosopher has a personal website displaying her beautiful photographs of her university friends and colleagues? [more inside]
posted by jayder on Sep 26, 2009 - 4 answers

To wed or not to wed: that is [sort of] the question. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 22, 2009 - 81 answers

I keep thinking about the word, "post-modernism." As I understand it, it began after the crash of 1929, and has since represented a ironic self-evaluation of our relativistic values, ideas, cultural touchstones, etc. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Sep 21, 2009 - 24 answers

What should an extended abstract (in the humanities) look like? This is for philosophy in particular, though I assume it might be a similar style for other disciplines. [more inside]
posted by JoshSmith on Sep 20, 2009 - 2 answers

How stringent are SSHRC's GPA requirements? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 20, 2009 - 10 answers

I am looking for anecdotes, stories, and pieces of wisdom where "giving up" led to increased happiness and peace of mind. [more inside]
posted by DeltaForce on Sep 15, 2009 - 21 answers

So, what are the universally accepted axioms in philosophy, if any? [more inside]
posted by TheOtherSide on Sep 10, 2009 - 26 answers

Need help translating/interpreting Wittgenstein's "Bei der magischen Heilung einer Krankheit bedeutet man ihr, sie möge den Patienten verlassen", esp. the use of bedeuten with a dative object. [more inside]
posted by creasy boy on Sep 9, 2009 - 11 answers

Philosophy Filter: What are some fresh and interesting questions or topics in philosophy? [more inside]
posted by k. on Sep 6, 2009 - 21 answers

∃x∀y∃z[Qx∧(My→Pyx)∧Wz ∧Pzx] ∨ ∃x[Qx∧∀y(My→Pyx)∧∃z(Wz∧Pzx)] ? [more inside]
posted by ed\26h on Sep 6, 2009 - 9 answers

Looking for a joke by Wittgenstein, something like "Are they crazy?" "No, they're just doing philosophy." [more inside]
posted by creasy boy on Aug 29, 2009 - 3 answers

What is the "Hedgehog Effect?" in the context of publishing (or possibly philosophy)?
posted by notbuddha on Jul 13, 2009 - 8 answers

Searching for an article, probably pre-2004, which involves a 'new' philosophical approach to the, ahem, 'meaning of life' .. [more inside]
posted by Henry C. Mabuse on Jul 12, 2009 - 3 answers

What line of reasoning does the Geneva Convention and international law use to illegitimate the use of mercenaries in war? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on Jul 10, 2009 - 19 answers

Can you ID these short stories and help me find them? I think there were at least two, they were written by Keith Laumer, and they appeared in a paperback IF anthology that I can't find. They are about the right of revolution (one may be titled something like that) and take place on a mining colony on another planet. I think the first is about the miners who revolt and are led by an Ayn-Rand-character-like person (his name is John Ralt or something). The second is about the 'ARcl' person who is now in charge and must deal with dissenters who contest his moral and political authority. And were there any more stories in this vein, or just two?
posted by Mr. Justice on Jul 8, 2009 - 5 answers

What are some simple experiments that help explain complicated phenomena? [more inside]
posted by Christ, what an asshole on Jul 6, 2009 - 15 answers

What are some good books to read (for context, interpretation, or guidance) along with Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on Jun 21, 2009 - 13 answers

Querying the hive mind: In your opinion, is it more ethical to eat humanely raised and killed animals? Does the way an animal is treated and killed change the ethical question of whether it's ethical to eat meat in the first place? I'm doing some research on this and wanted some opinions or relevant links that might help. Thanks in advance!
posted by Raichle on Jun 20, 2009 - 40 answers

Where are some excellent philosophy videos on the web? [more inside]
posted by pwally on Jun 18, 2009 - 9 answers

Suggested reading about the life and teachings of Confucius? I've read the article at Wikipedia and seen the reading list there, but would love some personal recommendations. [more inside]
posted by sambosambo on Jun 16, 2009 - 4 answers

Who were these "celebrated authors" James Madison was referring to in The Federalist Paper No. 14? [more inside]
posted by Myles on Jun 15, 2009 - 8 answers

Grad school language requirement filter: which French philosophers are (relatively) easy reading in the original French? [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Jun 15, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me make a career move. Do I want to be a high school or college teacher? [more inside]
posted by mikelly on Jun 10, 2009 - 18 answers

In light of the Bertrand Russell thread, help me find this philosopher/writer... [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Jun 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Help me hunt down some “Thoughts on Being an Artist” [more inside]
posted by Corvidae on Jun 5, 2009 - 9 answers

"How can you say I am not a success? I have not been eaten and I have not failed to eat" (or words to that effect). Trying to find the source of this quote. I was thinking maybe Jonathan Swift, but my google-fu is failing me.
posted by telstar on Jun 1, 2009 - 5 answers

Philosophy and popular entertainment! I am close to being obsessed with Ghost in the Shell and its astonishingly deep themes - it's crack cocaine for the existentialist. What other movies or TV shows can help me get my fix? [more inside]
posted by fearnothing on May 28, 2009 - 16 answers

I need your suggestions for interesting, exciting and thought provoking philosophy for me to read this summer! [more inside]
posted by tumples on May 27, 2009 - 38 answers

Is atheism the belief that there are no gods or the lack of belief in existence of gods? This is philosophy 101 but I honestly keep finding different definitions claimed by atheists. Can someone clarify? (and if my question is phrased poorly, please forgive me but I hope you understand the gist.)
posted by snap_dragon on May 26, 2009 - 49 answers

What single book presents the most forceful argument against both Randian Objectivism and the libertarian political philosophy that presents itself (in some ways, at least) as having followed naturally from Rand's ideas? [more inside]
posted by killdevil on May 11, 2009 - 28 answers

Is it true that philosophy majors score #1 overall on the MCAT?
posted by bardona on May 10, 2009 - 13 answers

The idea that having children makes you immortal : Where did this come from? Who believes in it (or believed it)? What is their justification? What are the best, most well-reasoned counter-arguments? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on May 7, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm having a really hard time dealing with news of humans' brutality to other humans. When I read the news (esp. that coming out of the African continent) , my immediate response is that, as a species, we simply don't deserve to exist. I need some recommendations for literature, films, poetry, that addresses these issues and comes out optimistic. No Cormac McCarthy thanks. [more inside]
posted by xenoworx on May 4, 2009 - 59 answers

I am looking for evidence / examples to support the concept that laws affect the moral / cultural landscape of society. [more inside]
posted by atmosphere on Apr 29, 2009 - 16 answers

I am looking for Christian apologetics/debates (christian/atheist etc) in mp3 downloadable form to burn to disc in Itunes (My ipod broke so no podcasts) :( ...Can you recommend any sites where I can get free mp3s for this? Thanks.
posted by snap_dragon on Apr 21, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm trying to locate the origin of the phrase "The righteous man champions the lost cause, knowing that all other causes are just merely events." [more inside]
posted by victoriab on Apr 15, 2009 - 2 answers

I'm looking for philosophical treatises that touch on the subjects of taxes, wealth, income and the like for a blog post I'm thinking about writing. Specifically, I'm looking for philosophical musings on the government's right (or lack thereof) to collect taxes and the right (or lack thereof) of an individual to do whatever he wants with his earnings. It would be more helpful if you could point to a specific chapter/section/passage, rather than saying "try reading Marx."
posted by ekroh on Apr 13, 2009 - 11 answers

Readers, Psychologist, Philosophers or Writers Please, How not to get confused and feel unsetteled after reading different books and Theories? [more inside]
posted by zulonline on Apr 13, 2009 - 5 answers

What to read of American philosophy (or the lack thereof) after Rorty? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on Apr 11, 2009 - 6 answers

I just finished reading "Gandhi the Man, The Story od His Transformation" by Eknath Easwaran. I want to learn more on his philosophy, I want to know more details on how he was able to persuade people against the use of violence. What books can you suggest?
posted by francesca too on Apr 8, 2009 - 4 answers

Essentialism vs. Anti-essentialism/Dialectical materialism? [more inside]
posted by suedehead on Apr 2, 2009 - 23 answers

I am currently writing a paper on where to place humankind on the spectrum between God and animals. Is there a commonly-used name for this philosophical topic? Googling around has failed me. [more inside]
posted by aheckler on Mar 31, 2009 - 25 answers

A while ago I read an article about former students of Husserl who went to the US during WWII. There was mention of what was described as a phenomenological "summer camp," where these former students would come together and "describe things." I'm looking for more info about this and, if possible, to read some of the texts that came out of this. [more inside]
posted by Kattullus on Mar 24, 2009 - 7 answers

Help me understand Quine's Two Dogmas of Empiricism. [more inside]
posted by tylerfulltilt on Mar 17, 2009 - 3 answers

Help me find a recently released album that is philosophically "deep." [more inside]
posted by sciencemandan on Mar 13, 2009 - 17 answers

What is a classic, perhaps philosophical, novel about individual freedom to choose? So that no matter how desperate the situation you find yourself in, you always have choices about what to do, how to feel and how to think about your situation. [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Mar 10, 2009 - 23 answers

Any interesting, meaningful readings for a liberal Passover Seder on the theme of hope? [more inside]
posted by aquafortis on Mar 7, 2009 - 2 answers