For as long as we can recall philosophers, poets and scientists alike have grappled with the seemingly impossible task of defining the essence of love, and as an extension of this the essence of humanity. We now live in a society where technology is entrenched in our everyday lives and the question is taking on a new… Continue reading What It Means to Love: Humanity and Artificial Intelligence in Klara and the Sun
“But man is not made for defeat” says the eponymous old man in 20th century American novelist Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” While this is one of the most famous quotes of an author revered around the world over 100 years after the publication of some of… Continue reading What would Ernest Hemingway make of the ‘Manosphere’?
Halloween has yet to come and the audience is already focusing on what’s next: Christmas, then Valentine’s Day. Ralph Lauren Christmas is taking over TikTok. Again, we find ourselves following trends to show rather than following traditions and customs that represent us. How many times have we found ourselves thinking, “I have to take a… Continue reading Are we living to show or are we living to experience?
Between the years of 1642 and 1651, the UK was in total turmoil as the Royalist and Parliamentarist forces competed to lead the way for the union’s future. One man, utterly disturbed by the skirmishes resulting in an uncertain future and a death toll of around 200.000, strived to find out how this outcome could… Continue reading HOBBES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE META-LEVIATHAN
In Buddhism, it is taught that the root cause of suffering and rebirth are the three poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance which are represented at the centre in Buddhism’s wheel of life as: The rooster is for greed, the snake for hatred and the pig for ignorance. Buddhism does not teach that humanity will collectively overcome the… Continue reading How Buddhism’s Concept of The Three Poisons Can Inform Our Current Predicament
Recently, we have been hearing everything about AI: from its impact on the planet and the environment to the jobs it may or may not substitute one day. While designers and artists fight the impeccable designs of AI, another question arises: when someone needs human contact, will AI be able to respond? A close source… Continue reading If you needed someone to talk to, would you talk to AI?
The fast-paced nature of modern society leaves little room for stillness and self-reflection. Increasingly, much of our decision-making operates around a growing sense of urgency, an urgency which originates from the need to keep up to date with self-imposed timelines. Many of us have goals that involve reaching a certain milestone within a particular timeframe, as social norms dictate, these goals may include… Continue reading To Wait or to Rush: The Philosophy of Moving at Your Own Pace
‘New UK chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke, has also reportedly suggested that police should use “discretion” over whether to charge those who steal so they can eat.‘ If you ask someone whether it’s okay to steal, chances are most people would say no. This absolutist approach – stealing is wrong, no matter what –… Continue reading Is it wrong to steal from large corporations? A philosopher debates the ethics
What if I were to tell you that the US government and media is controlled by a secret cabal of devil-worshippers who are organising the mass kidnapping of children? Well, according to a recent poll, 17% of Americans believe this to be the case. Another 30% believe the 2020 US presidential election was stolen from… Continue reading Descartes and the deep state: what 17th-century philosophy reveals about Trump and QAnon
When we conjure up ancient philosophers the image that springs to mind might be a bald Socrates discoursing with young men in the sun, or a scholarly Aristotle lecturing among cool columns. But what about Aspasia, the foreign mistress of the foremost politician in Athens who gave both political and erotic advice? Or Sosipatra, mystic, mother… Continue reading Wise women: six ancient female philosophers you should know about
