A nice piece (an analogy) by Matt Glaser that’s been around for a while. If all of Western philosophy is merely commentary on Plato, then all of jazz is, in some sense, commentary on Louis. Armstrong’s achievement is amply evident in two solos on “Basin Street Blues.” JazzLouis Armstrongmatt glaserPhilosophy
In troubled times, perhaps there is no better philosophical wisdom than The Meditations to help ease the mind. For an overview of this amazing mind, see here. Whatever museum I happen to be visiting, if they have a bust of Marcus Aurelius, I’m always very quickly drawn to it. Marcus AureliusPhilosophystoicism
I’ve just discovered that the bust of Bertie in Red Lion Square commissioned by Ayer et al was sculpted by none other than Marcelle Quinton, the widow of my chum Tony Quinton (see announcement below). If I get the opportunity I must ask her about it (Marcelle is a formidable intellect – she and Tony…
In anticipation of the publication date (October) Penn State University Press are offering a 20% discount off the cover price of A Companion to Michael Oakeshott – download form here. Michael OakeshottPenn State University Press
I’ve just had the occasion to read a posthumously published paper by Bernard Williams. One is reminded what a top-notch mind he was, steering a balance between the worst excesses of analytical philosophy’s logicism and continental obscurity, yet with devastating and readable arguments. (OK, I concede that the one exception is his incredibly dense but…
From The Guardian – here as well. Analytic philosophyAnglo-SaxonGodNewtonPhilosophyPhilosophy of scienceStephen HawkingUniverse
I never knew that a film had been made of these most famous love birds so here it. I can’t vouch for the quality since I haven’t seen it. See if you can access Melvyn Bragg’s podcast with among others Anthony Grayling. Héloïse d’ArgenteuilMelvyn BraggPeter Abelard
Born on this day Hume [O.S.] The most important philosopher ever to write in English, David Hume (1711-1776) — the last of the great triumvirate of “British empiricists” — was also well-known in his own time as an historian and essayist. A master stylist in any genre, Hume’s major philosophical works — A Treatise of Human…
Conference page. Here is also one of Turing’s most famous papers: I propose to consider the question, “Can machines think?” This should begin with definitions of the meaning of the terms “machine” and “think.” The definitions might be framed so as to reflect so far as possible the normal use of the words, but this…
Colin McGinn responds to comments on his article of a few days ago in the NYT. Colin McGinnDaniel DennettPhilosophyPhilosophy of mindThe New York Times
manwithoutqualities 