Search

The author discusses the concept of melancholy as a basis for understanding a source of suffering in the work of Jew author Edmond Jabès. It also presents a reading of the Holocaust from the perspective of Jabès' personal history of persecution. She cites the studies of philosophers on Jabès' works and their consensus observation regarding the absence and loss as the organizing concepts of his work. She also acknowledges the contribution of Jabès to the understanding of what it means to write in Europe after the Holocaust.

The article discusses how the work of philosopher Richard Rorty influenced literary criticism. It is explained that Rorty's philosophical antitraditionalism was embraced by the schools of contemporary literature theory. The article notes that Rorty's authority as a literary scholar is rarely noted. One of the reasons for this is that many have a hard time accepting his narrative ethics.

An essay is presented which examines philosophy in the context of physics. It is suggested by the author that at philosophy's center it is a series of questions concerning the relations between words and the world. The author asserts that philosophy started off as a combination of humanity's love for both wisdom and argument. The author also critically analyzes the work of philosopher Jacques Derrida.

The article focuses on the conservative reading of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich's "Doppelsatz." The defenders of Hegel's critics have argued that the philosopher's work should be read in a progressive way. However, the objective of this article was to argue that the "Doppelsatz" should not be given a critical reading. The intention of Hegel in writing the book is discussed.

The article reports the idea of intellectual courage, what consist it, what fosters it and if it is always a virtue. It offers an overview of the various ways on how intellectual courage is inculcated which includes the readiness to expose ideas to skeptical and critical audiences. It discusses how the intellectually courageous thinker responds to criticism and examines the beliefs of philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. It distinguishes the difference of intellectual courage and mere impulsiveness.

Examines the intellectual background of Salomon Maimon's Spinozism. Challenges to Maimon's advocacy of Spinozism; Immanuel Kant's characterization of Maimon's philosophy; Details of Maimon's pantheism; Affinity of the Law of Determinability with the fundamental principles of Spinoza's metaphysics.

Argues for the plausibility of Pierre Bayle's interpretation of Baruch Spinoza. Challenges to Bayle's interpretation; Continuity of the Baylean interpretation with the Spinozan concept of prime matter; Role of prime matter in scholastic metaphysics; Cartesian understanding of prime matter; Examination of Spinoza's understanding of prime matter in his "Ethics"; Defense of the Baylean interpretation of Spinoza's monism.

Examines Iris Murdoch's early philosophy and her 1958 novel, 'The Bell,' in the context of her metaphysical perspective. Productive conflict in Murdoch's early work; Murdoch's philosophical origins; Murdoch's view on Marxism and capitalism.

Discusses the concept of moral sense and the problem of innateness in philosopher Francis Hutcheson's synthesis of positions laid out by John Locke and Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury. Different definitions of innateness; Challenge posed by the incompatibility of Locke and Cooper's works; Critics' contradictory assessments of Hutcheson's outlook on innateness.

Analyzes the writings of David Hume. Willingness to fall back on ways of thinking that come to him easily; Refusal to lose touch with what is taken as common thought and practice; Comparison of his conception of a fluid and open-ended status quo with the Romantic projects of Emerson and Wordsworth.

Explains the relevance of reading the writings of philosopher Michel Serres. Academic background of Serres; Exploration on the ideas which Serres; His views on humanities and science; Number of books he wrote; Textual criticism on some of his essays.

Explores the writings of philosopher Michel Serres. His conception of nature and knowledge; Universal appeal of his ideas; Expanse of the subject which he investigated and described; His literary style; Citations from his written works.

The author discusses the views of philosopher Richard Rorty regarding poetry. It is explained that Rorty was schooled by poets, and he would often times cite poetry in his lectures to make a broader philosophical point. The author notes that his poem "Wised Up" was inspired by a conversation he had with Rorty.

Describes the written works of philosopher Michel Serres. His influence on several academic disciplines; His background.