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“Irrational” Discourse and the Public Square
For the community of reason to thrive, we need to regain our respect for reason and also to bring it closer down to earth. And it is only by using our reason that as a society we can debate our differences and come to, if not agreement, then at least a respectful accommodation.
Highlight
The idea that unconscious biological forces drive our beliefs and actions would seem to pose a real threat to our free will. We like to think that we make choices on the basis of our own conscious deliberations. But isn’t all that thinking things over irrelevant if our final decision was already written in our genetic code? And doesn’t the whole edifice of personal responsibility collapse if we accept that “my genes made me do it”?
News and Events
- THE PHILOSOPHER'S ZONE – ABC AUSTRALIA. Talking to Joe Gelonesi about some of the main ideas in The Edge of Reason on his excellent long-running show. Listen here and also on iTunes. #
- THE WORLD TONIGHT – BBC RADIO FOUR. I was on last might's programme talking about whether Trump is shaping or reflecting changing values and social norms. At 40:06 here. #
- A PODCAST OF "BRAIN IN A VAT AND OTHER STORIES" IS NOW AVAILABLE. I took part in this Forum for European Philosophy Celebration of Hilary Putnam at the LSE on 8 December with Jesper Kallestrup, Chris Norris, Sarah Sawyer and Peter Dennis (Chair). The podcast is here or on iTunes. #
- TWENTY QUESTIONS. A Q&A for the TLS in which I reveal my least favourite fictional character and hidden talents, among other things. Read here. #
- THE EGO TRICK – SOUTH LONDON, 22 NOVEMBER. An evening with Julian Baggini hosted by South East London Humanist Group (SELHuG) and South West London Humanists. Details and booking here. #
What is Microphilosophy?
Small thoughts about big subjects; big thoughts about small things; seeds of thought, scatttered to either take root or not; plus short links to longer work. Microphilosophy is the website of the writer Julian Baggini.
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