Political Philosophy Politics is largely philosophical, but is philosophy largely political?[1] Is the practice of philosophy governed partly (mainly?) by political forces? Most people would agree that science and mathematics are not seriously political subjects, being governed by scientific norms, but is philosophy as a discipline strongly influenced by political considerations? Is it more political […]
Consciousness and Subjectivity According to some, consciousness is the heart of the mind-body problem—specifically the “what-it’s-likeness” of consciousness.[1] This is held to be explained by the fact that we can’t grasp the nature of a conscious state, like a bat’s echolocation experience, except by sharing it, whereas the same thing is not true of the […]
The Inner Limits We are all blind and deaf—not totally, but partially. We can’t see behind us or inside things or see the opposite face of things or very small things or very distant things; and similarly for hearing. We all know this. We can’t even see much of what lies directly in our field […]
Paradiddles I was watching a video the other day of Ginger Baker, the famous British drummer. He was emphasizing the importance of the paradiddle, which I have neglected in my drumming life. I started practicing it again so as to become proficient in it. It is quite demanding mentally and physically: your hands have to […]
Skip to main contentAccessibility help Sign in AI Mode All News Videos Images Short videos Forums More Tools AI Arms Race – Colin McGinn colinmcginn.net https://colinmcginn.net › Uncategorized 2 days ago — AI is likely to spark an arms race between nation states, particularly China and America. This will be analogous to the old […]
You can see my new interview with Smith and Solomon on Youtube. There is hope for young people yet.
Charles, I like your essay, but I think it gives a misleading impression about my life. I first mastered psychology (two degrees, first class) and then switched to philosophy. I have worked in several areas of that. I have been an athlete and musician since before I went to university. I started writing fiction in […]
John Bond James Bond died in 1966 when his helicopter crashed over Marrakesh on a dangerous mission. His left eyebrow went up slightly as the aircraft began its rapid descent, and he had only seconds in which to kiss goodbye the beautiful woman with whom he was conducting romantic espionage. He was 52 years old […]
AI Arms Race Mysterian politics avoids and deplores overconfident predictions. It rarely resorts to the speech act of assertion, preferring the conditional form, and uses the word “know” sparingly. But it has no objection to considering possibilities; indeed, it encourages the practice as an aid to thought and a device of precaution (it is fond […]
Politics and Mystery Everyone knows that universities are political places. Philosophy departments are political places too. This typically takes the form of competition for power and resources: what subjects are represented, who gets a job, who gets promoted, etc. Schools of thought are subject to academic politics (professorial power-grabs). Certain schools of thought acquire prominence […]