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Philosophy for the insatiably curious

Not the Mystical East: India's Long Tradition of Materialism
Philosopher Files

Not the Mystical East: India's Long Tradition of Materialism

Will Buckingham –

We often assume that Indian philosophy is somehow inherently “spiritual”. But India's long tradition of Cārvāka materialist philosophy suggests otherwise.

Sophie Grace Chappell on Plato and the Moral Imagination
Interviews

Sophie Grace Chappell on Plato and the Moral Imagination

Will Buckingham –

An interview with Sophie Grace Chappell about philosophy, following your deepest impulses, and why mountain climbing is not unlike philosophy.

Aristotle on Flourishing
Philosopher Files

Aristotle on Flourishing

Will Buckingham –

Aristotle argued that the end or purpose of human life was flourishing. But what is flourishing? And how do we flourish?

Aristotle on Ways of Knowing
Philosopher Files

Aristotle on Ways of Knowing

Will Buckingham –

Aristotle was a hugely eclectic thinker. But he was also a systematic one. And at the heart of his philosophy is the idea of the diversity of human ways of knowing.

Hui Shi and the Power of Analogy
Philosopher Files

Hui Shi and the Power of Analogy

Will Buckingham –

The Chinese philosopher Hui Shi (370-310 BCE) was famed for his logical puzzles, and his skill in debate.

Plato's Theory of Forms
Philosopher Files

Plato's Theory of Forms

Will Buckingham –

Plato is famous for what is sometimes called his "theory of forms". But what are forms? What is this theory? And what makes Aslan an almost-perfect cat?