Michael Ruse (1940 – ) is one of the world’s most important living philosophers. He currently holds the Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor and is Director of History of Philosophy and Science Program at Florida State University. He is the author of more than 50 books, a former Guggenheim Fellow and Gifford Lecturer, a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Canada and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Bertrand Russell Society award winner for his dedication to science and reason. He has also received four honorary degrees. Continue reading Review of Michael Ruse’s “A Philosopher Looks At Human Beings” →

A reader alerted me to a new book, Ars Vitae: The Fate of Inwardness and the Return of the Ancient Arts of Living. The author is Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, a professor of history and senior research associate at the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, Syracuse University. Continue reading Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn’s: “Ars Vitae” →

Statue of Spinoza, near his house on the Paviljoensgracht in The Hague.

“These [religious ideas] are given out as teachings, are not precipitates of experience or end-results of thinking: they are illusions, fullfilments of the oldest, strongest and most urgent wishes of mankind.” Continue reading Review of Lewis Vaughn’s “Star Map: A Journey of Faith, Doubt, and Meaning →

Kieren Setiya is a professor of philosophy at MIT. I just finished his Midlife: A Philosophical Guide. Here is a brief review.

As we approach midlife, even the most successful among us wonder what we have missed and if our achievements are enough. Setiya begins with some general advice. Continue reading Review of Setiya’s “Midlife: A Philosophical Guide” →

The Consolations of Philosophy

Alain de Botton’s book takes its title from Boethius’ classic of the same name. Continue reading Summary of “The Consolations of Philosophy, Alain de Botton →