Browsing All posts tagged under »Philosophy«

The Gould (I) Files #2

March 9, 2019 by

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What’s the ‘I’ for you ask? It’s Friday night. TGIF folks. I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss archival work because I’ve caught archive-fever, as it were. I recently read “Blue Years: An Ethnography of a Prison Archive” by Angela Garcia (Stanford University) published in Cultural Anthropology. Actually, I was fortunate enough to listen […]

The Gould (I) Files #1

February 22, 2019 by

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What’s the ‘I’ for you may ask?  It’s Friday. TGIF. This is the first post of what I hope to be a series tracking my access to archived work by Stephen Jay Gould at the Stanford Special Collections & University Archives. Up to this point my experience with archived and unpublished work in any special collections is limited. […]

Top Posts from 2018

December 31, 2018 by

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It has been over six and a half years since Justin Caouette founded A Philosopher’s Take. The blog surpassed 400,000 views and a quarter of a million visitors this year. Below we’ve highlighted then 10 most popular posts in 2018, as well as the five most popular posts published in 2018. But this is only […]

Grieving a Life That is Not

December 9, 2018 by

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While completing the requirements for my terminal MA, I imagined the future prospects for a successful junior researcher. Years before, I left a decade-long career to return to school. As a graduate student, I earned money in the service industry, working late into early morning hours to contribute financially to our growing family. Daytime activities […]

Discovery and Invention Part I: Distinctions and Notations

December 6, 2018 by

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In this three part (probably) series, I’m going to look at the notions of invention and discovery as they relate to how we think about mathematics and logic. In this first post, I’m going to set up the distinction between discovery and invention as I see it, and then talk about whether systems of notation for […]

Turning Bad Rubbish into Good Lessons

May 30, 2018 by

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Alternately titled: What we talk about when we talk about Jordan Peterson. I should begin by saying that all thoughts here are mine. They are not endorsed or shared by the University of Calgary, the Department of Philosophy, or any other group with which I’m affiliated, unless those folks choose to endorse or share them. […]

Russell and Philosophy in Real Life

May 10, 2018 by

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Bertrand Russell (May 18th 1872-February 2nd 1970) writes in the prologue of his autobiography “What I Have Lived For”: Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and […]

New Contributor: Oliver Lean

March 12, 2018 by

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It is a pleasure to introduce our newest contributor, Dr. Oliver Lean! Oli completed his PhD at the University of Bristol (2016) under the supervision of Samir Okasha. Previously, he also completed an MA in Philosophy and History of Science, and a BSc in Biochemistry at Bristol. Oli is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at […]

Scientism is a Non-Threat: Considering Susan Haack and the Role of Philosophy

October 16, 2017 by

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“The school is in financial crisis,” reports a friend and emeritus professor as I take my seat at the table in the back corner of a campus coffee shop and bookstore. We meet monthly with the frequency and punctuality expected from five philosophers: every six weeks, 15 minutes late. Professor Haack greets readers with just […]

The Further Adventures of Hero and Hera.

September 27, 2017 by

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Those familiar with the neo-logicism literature, may also be familiar with the characters Hero and Hera. Hero was introduced by Crispin Wright in the late `90s, and the story Hero and his sister Hera was fleshed out by Philip Ebert and Marcus Rossberg in 2007*. In that paper, we learn that Hero and Hera both […]

Grinworthy Quotes 13

August 9, 2017 by

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Avicenna and Gentile da Foligno, woodcut (extract), edition of the Canon and its commentary by Gentile da Foligno, Venice 1520. Public domain via Wikipedia Commons     This gem: At Physics II.8, however, Avicenna had undertaken a detailed analysis and critique of the idea of void and found it empty… is on page 19 of Jon […]

CFP: Western Canadian Philosophical Association

June 15, 2017 by

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I am very pleased to announce that the 54th meeting of the Western Canadian Philosophical Association (with CSEP-SCEP) will be held in my hometown university, the University of Regina from October 13th to 15th, 2017.  Having completed my undergraduate degree there, I have fond memories of the Department of Philosophy and Classics in Regina including […]

On the So Called “Grey Areas” of Sexual Consent

May 20, 2017 by

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Sexual consent has been the foundation of sexual ethics for many modern thinkers of sexuality. The notion itself stretches back to at least Immanuel Kant, who presented some arguments for why we should generally respect an individual’s autonomy. Respect for autonomy is the idea that we should respect a person’s capacity to make self-governing decisions […]

Cognitive Dissonance and Philosophy

April 5, 2017 by

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I want to first give credit to the authors of “Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)” – Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson. Their talk of cognitive dissonance and the metaphor of the ‘pyramid of choice’ has inspired my comments below. Although the ideas in this book have obvious ramifications for psychology, psychotherapy, political science, […]

Teaching as a Grad Student: Philosophy of Science

January 25, 2017 by

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Thanks to Aaron for starting this series. There are particular challenges that grad students might face as instructors, some of which I imagine are exclusive to grad students, whereas others could probably be generalized to new professors on the track. And perhaps in my case, grad students, new professors on the track, and maybe even […]

When is Pragmatism Irresponsible?

August 10, 2016 by

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When is Pragmatism Irresponsible? Perhaps it has to do with a fractured GOP ostensibly headed by a racist demagogue, or a Democratic party at war with half its base while chanting “unity,” but Olivia Goldhill’s month-old article about the immorality of voting one’s conscience is currently remaking the rounds on social media these days. It […]

Grinworthy Quotes (12)

July 24, 2016 by

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Here’s W. V. O. Quine discussing the fact that Frege didn’t adopt a type theoretic approach (like Russell and Whitehead’s) when faced with Russell’s paradox. Actually, it is not to be wondered that Frege did not think of this course, or, thinking of it, adopt it. It was by having all his classes at ground […]

The Dark Side of Philosophy

July 14, 2016 by

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I have spent some time thinking, writing and talking about how philosophers have valuable skills that are sorely needed outside academia (see www.mikesteiner.ca for relevant posts). I’ve also provided advice for how philosophers can sell themselves in order to get good jobs in the business world. In general, I’m a fan of philosophy and truly […]

New Contributor: Mike Steiner

July 13, 2016 by

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I had the pleasure of meeting Mike during his presentation for UCalgary grads on philosophy and the industry job market.  He shared valuable information concerning how to create a professional resume, explained the transferable skills one gains from philosophy, and ultimately demystified industry job postings and jargon.  Mike’s perspective on how philosophy translates outside of […]

The Art of Presentations

June 13, 2016 by

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Pat Kelly from the CBC gives an hilariously accurate account of qualities that comprise successful presentations.  The catch line is: “Thought Leader gives a talk that will inspire your thoughts.” Watch the video here. “Let’s look at the picture of the planet for no reason.” I take it that the definition of ‘success’ here simply […]