Philosophy Bites Daily

Simon Blackburn

Simon Blackburn talks freely about Cambridge, Oxford, his philosophical development, the philosophers he has known, and his own work, in this longish interview (with transcript). Cambridge a bit of a mad house, Oxford a bit smarmy. Read more...

Was Montaigne Happy?

Through a combination of attention to detail and the practice of ataraxia Montaigne seems to have achieved eudaimonia. Read more...

Spinoza

Clare Carlisle introduces Spinoza, 'the noblest and most lovable of all great philosophers' according to Bertrand Russell. Read more...

A.C. Grayling on 'Examined Lives'

A.C. Grayling on James Miller's book about how philosophers have lived. A different set of philosophers' lives might have produced more optimistic conclusions. Read more...

Jacques Derrida - placet or non placet?

Jacques Derrida had many followers, and numerous critics who objected to his wilfully obscure Derridadaisms. I don't think it is accurate to describe him as going from strength to strength as this review of a recent biography does.  Read more...

Did Nietzsche Have Syphilis?

There is a widespread belief that Friedrich Nietzsche's dementia stemmed from syphilis contracted from a prostitute in a Leipzig brothel. But that might be a smear put about by anti-Nazis, according to this 2003 article. Read more...

How to Live, But Not Necessarily How To Live Well

Have philosophers lived well? Mostly not. What does that show? That living the examined life is harder and less potentially rewarding for most than it was for Socrates? Sarah Bakewell, author of a recent book about Montaigne, examines Examined Lives. Read more...

Philosophers' Sex Lives from A to Z

Is it better to be a sad Socrates or a happy pig? Mutual spouse hate, celibacy, promiscuity, BDSM, castration (and presumably the occasional satisfactory relationship). Read more...

John Stuart Mill's Passions

Adam Gopnik's 2008 review of Richard Reeves' biography of J.S. Mill covers everything you need to know about the man, his passions, his politics, and his love affair with Harriet Taylor. Read more...