Philosophy Now

Philosophy Now is a magazine for everyone interested in ideas. It isn't afraid to tackle all the major questions of life, the universe and everything. It tries to corrupt innocent citizens by convincing them that philosophy can be exciting, worthwhile and comprehensible, and also to provide some light and enjoyable reading matter for those already ensnared by the muse, such as philosophy students and academics. It contains articles on all aspects of philosophy, plus book reviews, film reviews, news, cartoons, and the occasional short story.

The Fight for the   Soul of Philosophy

The Philosophy Now Festival 2018

Heidegger’s Ways of Being • Andrew Royle introduces Heidegger’s key ideas from his classic Being and Time, showing how they lead towards his concept of Being-towards-death.

Heidegger & Faulkner Against Modern Technology • Bob James sees similarities in the two writers’ dark perceptions of industrialisation.

HANNAH ARENDT   and the Human Duty to Think • Shai Tubali considers the roots and implications of Arendt’s active philosophy.

The Gift of Becoming Stranded • Amee LaTour argues we should sometimes welcome being run aground by life.

The Birth of Celebrity Culture out of the Spirit of Philosophy • Matthew Barnard comprehends & condemns celeb culture in Heideggerian terms.

The Trouble with Martin • Even his best friends thought he was a Nazi, so why should we pay any further attention to Heidegger’s philosophical writings? We asked a selection of Heidegger scholars this question: “Does Martin Heidegger’s involvement in the Nazi Party and his anti-Semitism, as evident in the recently published Black Notebooks, make a difference to how we should regard him as a philosopher and engage with his work?”

Could a Robot be Conscious? • Brian King says only if some specific conditions are met.

Hail, Malthus! • Toni Vogel Carey on how easily and dangerously poor reasoning can become accepted wisdom.

Philosophical Haiku   MICHEL FOUCAULT (1926–1984)

The Golden Rule Revisited • Paul Walker & Ally Walker wonder if the Golden Rule could be a stand-alone ethic.

The Not So Golden Rule • Dan Flores argues that the Golden Rule can’t be followed, even in principle.

Letters • When inspiration strikes, don’t bottle it up! Write to me at: Philosophy Now 43a Jerningham Road • London • SE14 5NQ, U.K. or email rick.lewis@philosophynow.org Keep them short and keep them coming!

The Language Animal • Roger Caldwell looks at Charles Taylor’s views of language, and Nick Everitt considers Colin McGinn’s arguments that we are born with some ideas.

I nborn Knowled ge

STAR WARS   THE LAST JEDI • Jason Eberl & Kevin Decker philosophize among the stars. WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) • Martin Jenkins looks at the life of a mathematician-philosopher apologist.

Question of the Month   “Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing?” • Each answer below receives a book. Apologies to the many entrants not included.

Problems & Mysteries • Raymond Tallis says mystery is the heart of philosophy.

The Sheep & The Dogs • Anushka Bhaskar (17) and Zachary Cerniglia (18) take inspiration from Diogenes the Dog.

Mink and Brace’s Accidental Conference   On The Design Argument • Mark Piper designs an argument questioning the design argument.