Insert Philosophy Here

Philosophy of Election 24 Series #5 Freedom is a word many people use, but few people have any substantial understanding of the meaning of the concept. To mention that fact isn’t cynical or disparaging. The concept of freedom, like all significant philosophical concepts, is deep, complex, multidimensional, and nuanced. It is beyond simplistic definitions.

It matters what Trump said. Here's why, and here's how it connects with my book, Why Trump .

I talk about Minnesota, tater tots, and a possible sea change in American politics. Could the Harris-Walz campaign actually be directed at the 60% of the body politic?

When people show you who they are, believe them. Politics is about power, and power has a political dimension. Power manifests not just on a grand scale but also on a very personal scale. Not all power is ugly and coercive, but some of it is.

The same old culture war is now directed at Kamala Harris.

Some say that a week is a lifetime in politics, and last week showed how true that is. Now the election can turn to focus on Trump. I've been busy the past two months finishing my new book, Why Trump? Why Some People Support Him—How the Rest of Us Can Respond. I read from the first chapter, Chapter 1. Framing the Issue. https://amzn.to/3Y3NeFm https://dgilesauthor.com/why-trump/

A reading of the first chapter of my recent book, available for sale everywhere. Links to where you can purchase the book . Left Wing, Right Wing, People, and Power

A look at two ideologies that are shaping political discourse. Text transcript and reference links: https://insertphilosophyhere.com/the-fundamental-contradictions-in-anarchism-and-libertarianism/

What’s right and wrong about the Columbia protests and what’s right and wrong about political action. Can we have an intelligent conversation about what’s going on at Columbia University? Probably not. I’ll try anyway, although a conversation requires willing and sincere participants. Referenced in this episode: Ethics of Dissent and Protest Left Wing, Right Wing, People, and Power: The Core Dynam...

There’s an important difference between them. This episode is a follow-up to Episode 12, " What Lurks Behind Conspiracy Theories ." The subject of conspiracy theories is of great interest, probably because 2024 is an election year in many countries. In this episode, I respond to a comment made by several listeners and explain the difference between a conspiracy theory and the typical exercising of...

My new book has been released. Left Wing, Right Wing, People, and Power: The Core Dynamics of Political Action The Kindle version is available here .  The paperback version is available here .

One reason I am so passionate about the value of education comes from what I learned working two work-study jobs when I was an undergraduate. g8uqfqu6

Part 1: People Aren’t Stupid — They’re Lazy Thinkers Many people evade the ethical responsibility to think deeply Part 2: How to Have an Argument (More of a Debate Really) How to disagree without being disagreeable Contact me at: InsertPhilosophyHere.com

Politics brings out the worst of people; it doesn’t have to. Comments? Contact me at: InsertPhilosophyHere.com

What’s going on underneath the hype? A philosopher looks into the phenomenon that is Taylor Swift and indicts the music industry that tried to exploit her. Comments? Contact me at: InsertPhilosophyHere.com

My long-term slightly scientific study of fluffpreneurship. We are now in the Epoch of the Memeocene in which things are oversimplified and vapid. It is an age in which society recognizes facile imitation more than substance. Not surprisingly, the snake oil merchants have adapted to the times. What they sell and how they sell it has been pared down to exploit our age of pretending to solve problem...

Do you love Christmas? That’s cool, I respect that. Have fun. I want to talk about and with those who don’t consider Christmas the “most wonderful time of the year,” because I respect them too.

Cooperation, loyalty, adherence to the rule of law. These are noble virtues, of which the following are necessary for a free and open society. But there are times when it is necessary to step outside these noble virtues. There are times when dissent is a virtue. There is a time for peace and a time for protest.

Understanding political movements is essential for building a human-centered politics. I therefore propose a distinction between reactionary movements and populist movements based on their different worldviews, goals, and targets of their opposition. Support this podcast: https://ko-fi.com/insertphilosophyhere

Men hating women is a symptom of a deeper problem. This episode inserts philosophy into the abuse of women and explores the social causes behind misogyny and subordination of women. Comments? Contact me at InsertPhilosophyHere.com

Are you an individual? Sounds like a silly question, doesn’t it? You’re you , right? You aren’t anybody else. But it’s not quite that simple. First off, being good philosophers, we have to define our terms. What do we mean by “an individual?” There are many answers to that question. Let’s begin at the beginning.

Scottish philosopher David Hume in the 1700s changed Western philosophy with his strong critique of science. Hume showed that science is based on three assumptions that have no rational basis. Hume's critique so impressed Immanuel Kant, that it led Kant to develop his critiques of reason that revolutionized philosophy and science. Today. Hume's arguments are undiminished and we neglect them at our...

I haven't recorded a philosophy lesson in awhile, so here is an audio version of a new video I am producing for my university course. My other videos are at https://www.youtube.com/insertphilosophyhere

For the last seven years, I’ve had quite a few people here in Europe ask me to explain Trump and his MAGA sycophants. Their incredulous questions are understandable. What’s in MAGA minds? How could they believe such things? Why are they so full of hate? I reference two books in this episode: The Rise of Victimhood Culture and Rethinking Misrecognition and Struggles for Recognition .

Spoiler Alert: I will divulge as little as possible about the specifics of the movie as I talk about the real-life implications of its philosophical ideas, but, obviously, some content of the movie will leak out. Yes, Barbie is a surprisingly philosophical movie. I had low expectations for Barbie . I’ve never been a fan of corporations or dolls, and especially corporate dolls that objectify women....