We live in a consumer-driven society with a rapid cyclic need to constantly upgrade our stuff and ourselves, and with the new year behind us, gyms are packed and our days start with a new sense of desire to become better versions of ourselves. But inevitably, we fall into our old ways within weeks, if […]
philosophy
Second Thoughts: Hunting the Self
Beyond Biology – Chantal D’Arcy One of the hardest aspects of moving away from home and into the real world – whether it be university or anything else – is the realization that you’re not as special to the rest of the world as you are to your mum. Every day I find myself overwhelmed with […]
Beauty Blurb: Winter wonders for your skin
With temperatures plummeting this past week and sightings of snow around the country (quick, stock up your fridge, avoid public transport, and prepare to be barricaded in from one inch of snow), winter is definitely on its way. Cold weather can be awful for your skin: chapped lips, dry skin and hands, and that feeling […]
Second thoughts: The problem of free will
Katie Russell – The capitalist’s conundrum We all seem to think that we are responsible for our own actions and that we have unique identities. This is particularly clear at our uni, where every other person is wearing trousers they bought on their ‘gap yah’ whilst skateboarding to Urban Outfitters. When we look at these […]
An interview with Rick Lewis – Editor of Philosophy Now
Rick Lewis Skypes me, mug of Lemsip in hand, from a homely-looking office which, from what I can see, boasts no sign of its role in the editing and publication of a popular magazine. Rick himself is relaxed and friendly, but on reflection, I can’t think of a better demeanour to have if you had […]
On the New Left – an interview with Roger Scruton
Roger Scruton is one of the most prominent conservative intellectuals in Britain – perhaps the most. He has been described by The Weekly Standard, America’s ‘neocon bible’, as “England’s most accomplished conservative since Edmund Burke”. He has authored over thirty books, from introductions to Spinoza to A Political Philosophy: Arguments for Conservatism. I had the […]
Why we are all philosophers: an interview with Bettany Hughes
Soon after Bettany picks up the phone she warns me that she doesn’t have long before she has to rush off to meet a publishing deadline. Always on the move seems to describe her lifestyle. She splits her work between books, TV series, lectures, educational charities and much, much more; in fact she took a […]
Second thoughts: Euthanasia
The case against: Our right to freedom of choice is one of the pillars of our society – what to wear, what to say, how to act – but this does not extend to our decision on how, or indeed when, to die. Whilst the popular argument states that euthanasia is a dignified way to […]