On Awkwardness; Plans for 2025
An event with Alexandra Plakias to start off the new year
Dear all,
I’m hoping 2025 has got off to a good start for you. It’s been pretty quiet and relaxing for me so far, so I can’t complain. Things are feeling exciting at The Philosopher. Our call-out for volunteers was extremely successful, so we will be chatting with lots of folks in the weeks ahead. I am confident this will significantly increase the scope, and hopefully the quality, of what we are able to offer. More on this as it takes shape. This year, we will be publishing print issues on “Marx as Philosopher” (guest edited by Andrés Saenz de Sicilia) and “Crossing the Floods” (i.e. dealing with some of the shit life throws our way), as well as a marvelous essay collection by Michael Bavidge (a former editor of The Philosopher). And I’m excited for Nicholas Halmi’s mini-series of events on “Historical Anxiety” which begins later this month, as well as the second installment Audrey Borowski’s series on “AI and the Digital” which starts in the spring. And Alexis Papazoglou has agreed to host ten sessions of “The Philosopher and the News”. Finally, we will definitely be expanding our groups/classes/workshops which Kate Warlow-Corcoran developed so brilliantly last year. In short, there is much to be excited about. I hope you will join us for the ride!
Monday Event: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK/8pm CET
“On Awkwardness”
Alexandra Plakias in conversation with Anthony Morgan
In this event, Alexandra Plakias will offer an account of the psychology and philosophical significance of a ubiquitous social phenomenon: awkwardness. She will argue that our aversion to awkwardness mirrors our desire for inclusion, and that this explains its power to influence and silence us: as social creatures, we don’t want to mark ourselves as outsiders. As a result, our fear of awkwardness inhibits critique and conversation, acting as an impediment to moral and social progress. Even the act of describing people as “awkward” exacerbates existing inequities, by consigning them to a social status that gives them less access to the social goods (knowledge, confidence, social esteem) needed to navigate potentially awkward situations. You can find out more and register here.
Ending
The Philosopher is unfunded and relies on your support to keep doing the work we do. Through becoming a supporter via Patreon, you can get all our print/digital issues sent to you, enjoy priority access and discounted rates for our groups/classes, join philosophical discussions with our editorial team, and more. The income we generate via Patreon helps us to keep our events series free and to pay our contributors. You can find out more and become a member here.
Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, wherever you are.
Anthony Morgan
Managing Editor