UPDATED! Philosophy in the Agora; African-American Political Thought; The Joy of Consent
A new essay; a new print issue; two great events - a busy week!
Dear all,
One disadvantage of being more efficient than normal (i.e. prepping the Sunday email earlier than Saturday evening) is that it is easier to mistakenly schedule the Sunday email to go out on Saturday. As I did. Not a big deal really, but the draft did miss out details of our forthcoming London event with Manon Garcia and Kate Kirkpatrick on 2nd November. So, below is basically the same newsletter except with that included. Enjoy!
To begin, a couple of things that are not related to our work at The Philosopher:
For those Londoners interested in watching a comedian discuss the history of Western philosophy, you should go check Dave Chawner’s show, “Freelosophy” tomorrow (Monday) evening. You can find out more here.
I don’t know much about Substack yet, but I’m keen to promote other people who are doing cool philosophy-related things on Substack. If you have any suggestions, let me know. For this week, it’s “After Dinner Conversation”, a non-profit organization that offers “intriguing, thought-provoking conversations about ethics, philosophy, and social issues”. You can find out more here.
New Print Issue!
As for us, it’s time for our new print issue which is no available for pre-order with a 15% discount. Guest-edited by Peter West and Jonathon Hawkins and asking “Where is Public Philosophy Going?”, it is quite the epic, with contributions from: Alexandra Grant; Jonathon Hawkins and Peter West; Jana Bacevic; Ellie Robson; Angie Hobbs; Aaron Wendland; Yarran Hominh; Peter Adamson; Evelyn Brister; Lucia Ziglioli; David Edmonds; Jack Symes; Stephen Darwall; Helen De Cruz; Hannah Kim; Gwilym David Blunt; Leon Krings; Francesca Greco; Andy West; Brad Rappaport; Zoe Newton! You can find out more and pre-order it here (or sign up for a print/digital subscription here).
Your Sunday Read
“Philosophy in the Agora: Past, Present, and Future” by Angie Hobbs. As Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, Angie Hobbs is one of the most influential figures in the public philosophy world. Her wide-ranging and authoritative essay gives us a clear sense of the scope of public philosophy: What should it be discussing? Where should it be discussed? And: How should it be discussed? You can read the essay here.
Monday Event: 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK
“Public Philosophy: Past, Present, and Future”
Angie Hobbs in conversation with Peter West and Jon Hawkins
Sometimes our written content and our events series pass like the proverbial ships in the night, but not this time!
From the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity to the invasion of Ukraine and Covid-19; from austerity and spending cuts to Black Lives Matter; from the rise of nationalism and autocracy to attacks on the very concepts of truth and truthfulness – all these phenomena raise urgent issues of conceptual analysis and ethical and epistemological argument which philosophy is ideally suited to tackle.
To celebrate the launch of our new print issue, “Where is Public Philosophy Going?”, Angie Hobbs, Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, joins guest editors Peter West and Jon Hawkins for a wide-ranging discussion of the role of philosophy in the public sphere. You can find out more and register here.
Tuesday Event: 7pm ET/10am (Wed.) AET
Democracy in African American Political Thought
Melvin Rogers in conversation with Neil Roberts
The latest event in our collaboration with Boston Review!
African American activists, intellectuals, and artists who have sought to transform the United States into a racially just society have put forward some of the most original and powerful ideas about how to make America live up to its democratic ideals.
In this conversation with Neil Roberts, political theorist Melvin Rogers discusses his new book, The Darkened Light of Faith, which provides a bold new account of African American political thought through the works and lives of individuals who built this vital tradition – a tradition urgently needed today. You can find out more and register here.
Recordings of last week’s event
For those of you who missed Monday’s event on “Simone Weil Now” featuring Lars Iyer and Christopher Thomas, you can watch the recording here.
London Event - Thursday 2nd November, 7-9pm (UK time), Conway Hall, London
“The Joy of Consent”
Manon Garcia, Kate Kirkpatrick, and Andrés Saenz de Sicilia
In this event, feminist philosopher Manon Garcia will discuss key themes in her critically acclaimed new book, The Joy of Consent: A Philosophy of Good Sex, upending the assumptions that underlie this very American debate and reframing consent as an ally of pleasure rather than a legalistic killjoy. Drawing on sources rarely considered together—from Kantian ethics to kink practices— Garcia will offer a framework grounded in commitments to autonomy and dignity. While consent, she will argue, should not be a definitive legal test, it is essential to realizing intimate desire, free from patriarchal domination. Cultivating consent makes sex sexy. By appreciating consent as the way toward an ethical sexual flourishing rather than a legal litmus test, Garcia adds a fresh voice to the struggle for freedom, equality, and security from sexist violence.
Following an opening conversation between Garcia and Andrés Saenz de Sicilia, Oxford philosopher and renowned Beauvoir scholar, Kate Kirkpatrick will offer a response to Garcia's book. This promises to be a fantastic evening of philosophy from three of the most interesting and exciting voices in the field! You can find out more and buy tickets here.
Ending
The Philosopher is unfunded and relies on your support to keep doing the work we do. You can offer a donation, join us via Patreon, or become a digital subscriber (our print subscriptions are now incorporated into the Patreon membership). All support is greatly appreciated!
Wishing you all a lovely Sunday, wherever you are.
Anthony Morgan
Editor