Here is a site devoted to Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), the 19th-century German Romantic painter. The feature image is a portrait of Friedrich by Franz Gerhard von Kugelgen (1772-1820). [More of my art-related posts.]
Caspar David Friedrich faces the world Read More »
[This column is a part of the Theist vs. Atheist debate series between Stephen Hicks and John C. Wright. Here Hicks responds to Wright’s arguments for the existence of God. And here are the links to other columns in the series.] As we enter the third round of our debate series, our first major point of
On the Proofs of God’s Existence [Theist vs. Atheist series] Read More »
“Philip Ernst, the artist father of the surrealist Max Ernst, was painting a picture of his garden when he omitted a tree that spoiled the composition. Then ‘overcome with remorse’ at his offense against realism, he cut down the tree.” Source: Peter Watson, The German Genius, p. xvii.
Commitment to artistic realism — anecdote Read More »
The new issue of Reason Papers (38:1) has an interesting symposium on the Philosophy of Play, with discussions by Christopher C. Kirby and Brolin Graham, William Schultz, Aaron Harper, and Francisco Javier Lopez Frias. I also have a long-ish article in which I make fifteen arguments against my own liberal philosophy: “Liberalism: The Fifteen Strongest
Anti-Liberalism — my article in Reason Papers Read More »
Over the years I’ve been called many things. This week, in response to some critical comments I made about proposed paper, I learned that I “argue like a socialist” or an “Austrian” (earlier, my correspondent had informed me that Austrian economists are evil). If I ignore past insults about my capabilities as a philosopher —
Confused: Who am I, anyway? Read More »
[In my Introduction to Philosophy course this week, we are discussing Plato’s Crito, so I am reposting this item. The feature image is Jacques-Louis David’s portrayal of the death scene from Phaedo.] Socrates’ two bad arguments for not escaping In the Crito, Socrates is in prison awaiting execution for impiety and corrupting the youth. His
Socrates: Should he have escaped prison? Read More »
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault is coming out in Polish translation, probably within a month or so. Here’s a preview of the cover: And here is my page for Explaining Postmodernism, with information about all editions and translations.
Forthcoming soon: Polish translation of Explaining Postmodernism Read More »
Bad things happen in free markets. Some people lie, cut corners, commit fraud, and write bad checks. Others renege on contracts, offer or accept bribes, give kickbacks, embezzle, and more. Often this translates into an argument for government regulation. Free markets maximize liberty, the argument runs, so they give much more scope to immoral individuals,
Corruption—Is It Worse in Free or Government-Regulated Markets? [Good Life series] Read More »