Philosophy

US President Joe Biden and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, chat as they gather for a group photo at Castle Elmau in Kruen, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Sunday, June 26, 2022. 

Insult to injury: Part I

Critical State

This week’s Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive into the function of insults, name-calling and other types of undiplomatic language.

Ann Druyan on Art and Outer Space

Arts, Culture & Media

Ann Druyan on Art and Outer Space

Arts, Culture & Media

Special Guest: Elaine Scarry

Arts, Culture & Media

Postmarked from Beyond

Arts, Culture & Media

Special Guest: Jonathan Lear

Arts, Culture & Media

Kurt Andersen and Jonathan Lear look at how Sigmund Freud and the ideas of psychoanalysis pervade our culture. Jonathan Lear teaches philosophy at the University of Chicago, where he is the John U. Nef Distinguished Service Professor. He is also a practicing psychoanalyst.His new book, Freud, puts Freud’s major ideas in the tradition of classical […]

Belgian Ian Frejean, 11, walks with "Zora" the robot, a humanoid robot designed to entertain patients and to support care providers, at AZ Damiaan hospital in Ostend, Belgium June 16, 2016.

What can AI learn from non-Western philosophies?

Technology

Much of the work being done in the budding field of artificial intelligence ethics has been approached with Western ethical traditions in mind. One group of researchers is trying to change that, and recently released a report on what artificial intelligence developers — and the technologies themselves — can learn from Buddhism, Confucianism, Ubuntu and other non-Western ethical traditions.

Atlantis

New researchers continue the search for the ancient missing city of Atlantis

Science

The “lost” city of Atlantis has never truly been verified, but its existence persists in the minds of some, including author Mark Adams. But Adams points to new information he says makes it more likely at least part of the story is true.

Temple and cemetery of Confucius.

Name the city in China where Confucius lived?

Culture

For this Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the famous city in China where Confucius lived. Here’s a hint: It’s located in the eastern coastal province of Shandong.For this Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the famous city in China where Confucius lived. Here’s a hint: It’s located in the eastern coastal province of Shandong.

The World

When end of life issues meet reproductive ethics

Global Politics

The New England Journal of Medicine has printed the story of an ethical dilemma that doctors grappled with in 2008. Is it ethical to keep a brain-dead patient on life support to harvest her eggs in hopes of allowing her husband to still father a child?