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.

You and Your Mind

News

Philosophy Now Award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity

Defending Free Will & The Self • Frank S. Robinson ‘chooses’ to remind ‘us’ of problems some contemporary philosophers have with these central human concepts.

The Sum of My Parts • Brett Wilson explores personal identity with John Locke and a dodgy 3D printer.

Francis Crick’s Deliberately Provocative Reductionism • Paul Austin Murphy repudiates a blasé reduction of mind to matter by one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA.

The Free Will Pill • Taylor A. Dunn asks, if free will were a drug, should you take it?

Thought, Consciousness, Brains and Machines • Adrian Brockless on the proper way to use the words ‘thought’ and ‘consciousness’

Philosophical Haiku ROGER BACON (c.1214–c.1292) • In the dim distance Objects appear to mine eye: Gathering the light.

Humanity, Metaphor & the Recursive Mind • Brian King wonders what there is about human minds that’s unique to us.

Selves Into Self

Ayn Rand (1905-1982) • Martin Jenkins traces the life of a self-made woman.

Can an ‘Ought’ be Derived from an ‘Is’? • Philippa Foot says it’s super easy, barely an inconvenience.

Ethics of the Future • Alexander Joy on the importance of not hurting future people.

Søren Kierkegaard On the Perils of Procrastination • Gordon Marino can’t wait to tell you about moral self-deception.

The Decline & Rebirth of Philosophy • Daniel Kaufman sees philosophy ailing as a guide for Western culture, and considers how it might be revived.

Teaching Ethics: What’s The Harm? • Patrick Stokes discusses some of the ethical problems arising in teaching ethics.

Letters • When inspiration strikes, don’t bottle it up. Email me at rick.lewis@philosophynow.org Keep them short and keep them coming!

Divided Opinions • Peter Adamson looks at how we carve up philosophies.

War: An Enquiry A.C. Grayling • Chad Trainermuses on A.C. Grayling’smodern perspective on war, David McKay looks at arguments about when war might be justified, and Lillian Wilde asks: is it beauty that needs saving, or is it us?

In Defence of War Nigel Biggar

Saving Beauty Byung-Chul Han

CALL THE MID WIFE • Ellen Miller considers birth, wonder, and care as philosophical frameworks.

Hounded in Holland • Seán Moran considers canine companions.

Homo Faber • Raymond Tallis makes much out of human tool use.

Toughing it Out • Anushka Bhaskar (18) and Anchal Bhaskar (16) take Resilience 101.

Being-With-Significant-Others • Sebastian Richardson eavesdrops on Martin Heidegger’s relationship counselling.