Category: Actual philosophical discussion!

Some new Philosophy Cafe essays are posted now, on Aristotle and emptiness, Darwin, the big bang, and the ethics of experimental drugs. check them out here.

The new Philosophers’ Carnival can be found here. It includes links to several interesting discussions around the web on philosophical topics, including whether the universe cares about anything (no), free will and evil, and a long list of all the titles published under the heading of popular culture and philosophy, which is somewhat astonishing.

I’d love to hear what people have to say in response to this provocative essay, which includes the following:

Here in the West, the so-called ‘war on global warming’ is reminiscent of medieval madness. You can now buy Indulgences to offset your carbon guilt. If you fly, you give an extra 10 quid to British Airways; BA hands it on to some non-profit carbon-offsetting company which sticks the money in its pocket and goes off for lunch. This kind of behaviour is demented.

Here is an interesting meditation on the power of art to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary. Recommended for all you Aesthetics students out there!

Here is an interesting article in the TLS about John Searle and his latest book, which discusses both the mind-body problem and political philosophy.