Specifically, what makes a question or an answer philosophical? Thank you, Jom Olazo, for an excellent question! The answer depends on what you think philosophy is. I can only give you my take; others will defend a (very) different idea of philosophy – as far as I know, there is no unchallenged notion of “philosophy”. […]
What makes something philosophical? Read More
Thank you, Charmaine Elaine, for this multi-faceted question. The phrase “taking a stand” can be used to describe a variety of behaviors in different contexts; in what follows, I will consider two interpretations. First, is it wrong not to engage in political activity? Second, is it wrong not to adopt a firm position on a
Is it wrong not to take a stand? Read More
Thank you, Gnanak Gerhardson Munnangi, for a great question! Although it may seem a bit distrusting to consider the motives of someone seeking your friendship, doing so may reveal a lot about yourself. When I saw this question, I was tempted to say that in a friendship I would like caring and understanding, as well
What are your expectations from a person who wants to be your friend? Read More
Thank you, Eoin Martin, for this fascinating question. I will assume that we are interested in whether good intentions matter for our moral evaluation of actions, and in particular whether good intentions morally justify an action. I will also assume that a ‘good’ intention is an intention that aims at something that is to some
Do good intentions matter? Read More
Thank you, Bálint Birkás, for a great question! It is a question that I often ask myself whenever I hear about a new useless invention in the news. Looking at those, you could be tempted to say that the point of science and technology is to develop science and technology, just because we can. But
What is the point of science and technology? Read More
Thank you, Gnanak Gerhardson Munnangi, for such a deep question. With its increasing development in various fields, Artificial Intelligence resembles more and more its sci-fi representations from novels and movies of the last century. Some philosophers and scientists, such as Nick Bostrom, believe that once AI reaches the level of human intelligence, it will rapidly
Can the AI be considered a God? Read More
Thank you, Jong Camallere, for raising what is a key question at the heart of all philosophy: the question of the meaning, purpose, and value not just of philosophy as a particular thing you can do within life, but of life as it is lived. The classical response is that, in fact, it is a
Is philosophy a waste of time? Read More
Thank you, George Smith, for such an important question. First, some clarifying remarks. By asking about the relative importance between intention and action, I assume that what is meant by “action” is actually the consequence or outcome of the action. For instance, when Smith shoots Jones, the outcome would be the death, injury, or perhaps,
What is more important: people’s intentions or people’s actions? Read More
Thank you, Andy Chartier, for such an intriguing question. Very generally, science is a methodological investigation into physical phenomena that aims at describing the actual world with the highest possible precision. Morality is an inquiry into what sorts of things we ought to value (compassion over hate) and what sorts of things we ought to
Can science determine morality? If so, how? Read More
Thank you, Mohammed Ajmi, for this timely question. In many respects, our societies are safer than the ones in which our ancestors lived. At the same time, however, it could be argued that humanity has never been so under threat as it is now. Think of the existence of weapons of mass destruction (especially when
