Extracts from Gloria’s chapter: Friedrich Hayek’s social theory is well known for his articulation of the paradigm of spontaneous orders that challenges the traditional distinction between what is natural and what is artificial. The problem that Hayek saw is that language and other social objects do not fall under either heading completely. Language is, for…
Given a papal change is underway, Rolf’s Hadrian the Seventh is as timely as ever, and in my view happens to be one of the top five novels of the 20th Century. Here is David Bradshaw’s reliable Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry. Part and parcel of the Corvo legend is Symons’ classic biography of Corvo, Corvo brought to Symons’…
I’m with Ludwig on this. Wittgenstein claims that there are no realms of phenomena whose study is the special business of a philosopher, and about which he or she should devise profound a priori theories and sophisticated supporting arguments. There are no startling discoveries to be made of facts, not open to the methods of…
I’ve been thinking a lot about my instinctive predilection for writers whose life and work bleed into each other, an attraction I felt long before I was fully aware of their biographical details. The first was Kafka; the second Rolfe; the third Musil; the fourth Mishima and the fifth, Toole. I’ve come to the conclusion that these philosophical novelists…
Here are some extracts from Noel’s essay, the penultimate chapter (also check out two new pieces by Noel found here). The distinctive achievement of Western political thought since the seventeenth century is the ideal of the limited state. Despite extensive theorizing about this ideal, however, there has always been profound disagreement about its precise nature…
Here are a couple of trailers from this eagerly awaited documentary or a hymn to the life blood that infuses NOLA. TRADITION IS A TEMPLE explores New Orleans’ unique musical culture and the fragility of tradition in the modern world. Intimate discussions with contemporary New Orleans musicians highlight their history, upbringing and how tradition has shaped their…
For no particular reason save for the idea that it amuses me (and might amuse you) each week I will post a quote or an extract from JK Toole’s masterpiece A Confederacy of Dunces. But if you haven’t read the book, I urge you to do so. And if you do, you will be impelled to…
Just received my hard copy of this issue: This volume stems from the conference “The Neurosciences and Music IV: Learning and Memory,” held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 9–12, June 2011. The volumes focuses on four themes: infants and children, adults: musicians and non-musicians, disabilities and aging-related issues, and therapy and rehabilitation. Featured papers cover a…
The latest release in the superb series from the Institute of Art and Ideas – thanks Alex! Hilary Lawson does a terrific job in moderating, one of the best if not the best I’ve come across. We all create internal narratives of our lives. From moment to moment, but also spanning a lifetime. Do these…
This book looks really promising. Art Blakeyduke ellingtonFrank BarrettJazzmanagementMiles DavisSonny RollinsThelonious Monkyes to the mess
manwithoutqualities 