Category: philosophy

The Eye of the Beholder: Reflecting on the Purpose of Beauty and Art

We’ve all heard the phrase “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but what does this mean and does it hold weight? In this series, we’ll take a casual look at the philosophical debates concerning our experiences with beauty and art. Through questions and reflection, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of beauty…


Philosophy for Laymen: Second Thoughts About Left and Right

Commentary In a 1946 essay on the subject of “Philosophy for Laymen,” the late British philosopher Bertrand Russell noted that, throughout the history of civilization, human beings have faced two different kinds of problems. On the one hand, said Russell, mankind had to acquire the practical knowledge and techniques needed to sustain life in our…


Why Art Is Not ‘What You Can Get Away With’

Commentary Philosophy is littered with questions that are easily stated but difficult to answer. What is—well, you choose: What is justice? What is knowledge? What is virtue?  What is love? Many such questions are probably unanswerable or at least unanswerable in any way that is profitable. Any answer that is accurate is also likely to…