The study of the unique characteristics of human beings.
Thank you, Gaurav Sharma, for this great question. I assume you are referring to Albert Camus’ interpretation of the Sisyphus myth, and I highly encourage you to dig into the core text because it is brilliant. Camus’ main message is that we must imagine Sisyphus happy to be able to accept the absurdity of our […]
Why must we imagine Sisyphus happy? Read More
“If I have come to the conclusion that the fear of death is illogical, why do I still fear death?” (Herbert Fingarette) Thank you, Dave Boyo Klier, for a considered question. Uncharacteristic though it may be for a philosopher, I think I can provide a rather straightforward answer. Indeed, it does make sense that you
If fearing death is illogical, why do we still fear it? Read More
Thank you Nderhe Paulin for such an incendiary question! The way you have asked the question assumes, first, that humans have chosen to reduce themselves to the state of an animal and, second, that they should not have done so. I assume this is not a positive choice, since your use of the word “reduce”
Why has man chosen to reduce himself to the state of an animal? Read More
Thank you, Ali Muràád Bàloç, for such an interesting question. To understand what one might mean by ‘cultural shift’, we first need to understand what we mean by ‘culture’. Friedrich Nietzsche described human beings as orphans of nature because, compared to other animals, we are all but devoid of instincts. Unlike other animals, humans are
What is a cultural shift? Read More
Thank you, Dylan Atkin, for such a crucial question. In order to answer this question, we need a conception of a “sound mind”. Do we mean a person who is in full control of their cognitive capacities? Or someone who is emotionally stable? Or someone who holds the appropriate values and attitudes that we expect
Can one be simultaneously suicidal and sound of mind? Read More
Thank you, Grace Robertson, for such a perennial question. To dye one’s hair is to change one’s appearance. Is it as simple a matter as changing one’s shirt? When we consider what clothing to wear, we consider practicality and appearance. You wear a coat because it’s cold, and you wear a particular style of coat
Why do people use hair dye? Read More
Thank you, John Presley, for a great question and a great opportunity to reflect upon the fluid and slippery nature of our cultural icons. As good Aristotelians, we need to break down the question in order to get to the truth. We can start by defining the term icon. We get the word from the
What makes an artist an icon? Read More
Thank you, Barbara Getliff, for this fabulous and quite practical question! There are two concepts at play in the question: boredom and death. After considering each separately, we can then evaluate if and how they work or fit together. Boredom can be described as an existential state of mind, that is, one relating to the
Can you actually die of boredom? 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
Thank you, Kenneth Cañedo, for this question. I think this is a great question to ask in times of quarantine and self-isolation. Many of us have been forced to spend more time with ourselves than usual, and more than we would have ever intended to otherwise. In these moments, when we are all alone, it
Is it possible for you to be friends with yourself? Read More
