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'Tragedy, The Greeks, And Us' Examines How Classical Philosophers Saw Early Dramas

Greek philosopher Plato with the philosopher and scientist Aristotle in 350 BC painted by Raphael as part of his School of Athens in the Vatican. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Review

'Tragedy, The Greeks, And Us' Examines How Classical Philosophers Saw Early Dramas

April 18, 2019 • The Stone's Simon Critchley premises tragedy on action — as opposed to the generally more passive approach philosophy has a reputation for — and examines how Plato and others saw it as a threat.

Review

In 'Hiking With Nietzsche,' Challenges Are Seen Through The Philosopher's Teachings

September 26, 2018 • John Kaag extracts ideas from Nietzsche and his followers — but also from his own experience — in this stimulating book about combating despair and complacency with searching reflection.

NBC's "The Good Place" cast during the Aug. 2, 2016. press appearance (left to right): William Jackson Harper, Ted Danson, D'Arcy Carden, Kristen Bell, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images hide caption

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NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Review

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

The Good Psychology In 'The Good Place'

October 23, 2017 • Despite my skepticism at the outset, for a light and amusing TV sitcom "The Good Place" does a pretty good job with philosophy — and a pretty good job with human psychology, too, says Tania Lombrozo.

Yes, Some Questions Are Better Than Others

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13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Yes, Some Questions Are Better Than Others

September 11, 2017 • In the child's world of Twenty Questions, it's pretty easy to evaluate what makes a good question. But producing good questions in the real world can be a more complicated affair, says Tania Lombrozo.

The Two-Way

French Philosopher Who Promoted Risk-Taking Dies Attempting Water Rescue

July 24, 2017 • "Being alive is a risk," Anne Dufourmantelle said. She died Friday at the beach in Saint-Tropez while trying to save a drowning child.

'Knowing The Score': A Look At Philosophy And Sport

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

'Knowing The Score': A Look At Philosophy And Sport

May 26, 2017 • Alva Noë says a new book by David Papineau places the value of sport on our love for cultivating our skillfulness — and because it is joyous and thrilling and hard to develop our physical capacities.

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Is 'Being' The Same For Everyone?

May 15, 2017 • Philosophical skepticism, in part coming from Decartes, considers the idea that it's impossible to know another person's reality. Alva Noë ponders this in relation to debates in today's world.

How (And When) To Think Like A Philosopher

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

How (And When) To Think Like A Philosopher

April 10, 2017 • Some forms of critical evaluation and philosophical thinking are hard because they force us to suspend other habits of mind that serve us well when our goal is to engage others, says Tania Lombrozo.

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Life And Mind At Dinner: An Allegory

March 29, 2017 • Blogger Marcelo Gleiser imagines a conversation between a geneticist, a Buddhist, a physicist, a psychologist, and a theologian about life and the future of humanity.

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Philosophy In The Octopus's Garden

January 13, 2017 • It's worth pausing and taking delight in the stunning image of a philosopher descending the ocean blue in his quest to understand how other minds work, says Alva Noë of Peter Godfrey-Smith's new book.

Courtesy Marcelo Gleiser

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Knowledge, The Endless Pursuit

June 29, 2016 • Imagine how sad it would be if we one day arrived at the end of knowledge — no new questions to explore, no boundaries to expand, no great discoveries ahead, says astrophysicist Marcelo Gleiser.

What Is 'Natural' Food? A Riddle Wrapped In Notions Of Good And Evil

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The Salt

What Is 'Natural' Food? A Riddle Wrapped In Notions Of Good And Evil

May 8, 2016 • Time is almost up for consumers to tell the FDA what "natural" food means. It's an ancient philosophical question with no easy answers.

Matt Rourke/AP

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Is It Bad If Art Is Boring?

December 11, 2015 • Works of art, in all their variety, afford us the opportunity for boredom — and they do so when everything in our lives mitigates against boredom, says Alva Noë. Maybe this is one of art's gifts.

Carrying A (Welding) Torch For Philosophy

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during Republican presidential debate at the Milwaukee Theatre in Milwaukee on Nov. 10. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Carrying A (Welding) Torch For Philosophy

November 16, 2015 • At the last Republican presidential debate, Sen. Marco Rubio said the U.S. needs more welders and fewer philosophers. So, Tania Lombrozo talked with a Stanford philosopher who was once a welder.

Finding The True Philosophical Discussion In 'Irrational Man'

Director Woody Allen attends a special screening of Irrational Man at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on July 15. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption

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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Finding The True Philosophical Discussion In 'Irrational Man'

August 14, 2015 • Woody Allen's new film engages in philosophical conversation, in arguments and justifications for actions, though not much reasoning is seen in individual characters, says philosopher Alva Noë.

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

The Magic Of Words

July 14, 2015 • Whether or not they involve genuine abstraction, words offer a way to reason and communicate — a respite from the tyranny of the specific, says commentator Tania Lombrozo.

Why We Need Philosophers Engaged In Public Life

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Why We Need Philosophers Engaged In Public Life

June 22, 2015 • Recent encounters we've had with issues of race, identity and moral responsibility are precisely the kind that benefit from the careful analysis of contemporary philosophers, says Tania Lombrozo.

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Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Exploring The Metaphysics Of Love

February 16, 2015 • Beyond the roses, hearts and generic declarations of devotion, do you know what love is? Commentator Tania Lombrozo turns to an expert on the metaphysics of love.

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

Eric Kaplan has written for various shows, including The Big Bang Theory, Futurama and Flight of the Concords. Stephanie Diani/Dutton hide caption

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Author Interviews

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

October 18, 2014 • Eric Kaplan's son had a zoo trip canceled because one mom worried about reindeer-induced questions. So Kaplan, a comedy writer and philosophy grad student, started pondering the puzzle of St. Nick.

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

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People Who Feel They Have A Purpose In Life Live Longer

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Shots - Health News

People Who Feel They Have A Purpose In Life Live Longer

July 28, 2014 • Do you feel like you wander aimlessly through life, or is there a reason you're here? Psychologists say people with a sense of purpose may stress out less. Or they may lead healthier lives.

People Who Feel They Have A Purpose In Life Live Longer

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Science Vs. Religion: Beyond The Western Traditions

Buddhist monks release a lantern into the air at Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Where does their tradition fit into the science vs. religion debate? Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images hide caption

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January 31, 2014 • Can you choose to be a fan? Not really. Not if you're honest with yourself. As the philosopher David Papineau notes, choosing a team isn't like choosing a washing machine. With the Super Bowl looming, and his family taking sides, commentator Alva Noë tries to define what it means to be support a team.

What We Can Never, Ever Know: Does Science Have Limits?

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Krulwich Wonders...

What We Can Never, Ever Know: Does Science Have Limits?

September 6, 2013 • If we had enough time, enough brain power, the right computers, the occasional genius, is there any limit to what we can know about the universe? Or is nature designed to keep its own secrets, no matter how hard we try to crack the code? What can we never know?

Will Commerce Open The Doors To 'Eastern' Philosophy?

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June 18, 2013 • Is it really possible that the civilizations that grew up in the "other" hemisphere have nothing useful to say about value, the categories of experience or the nature of mind? No. Luckily, we may be on the cusp of a new global era for philosophy.

Name Five Women In Philosophy. Bet You Can't.

A rare moment of gender parity in philosophy: Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre at a Paris cafe in May 1970. STF/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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