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1000-Word Philosophy

1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology

Philosophy, One Thousand Words at a Time

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Author: 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology

"1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology" is a constantly-growing collection of original essays on important philosophical topics. These essays are introductions rather than argumentative articles. Each essay is as close to 1000 words (while never going over!) as the author can get it. A 1000-word essay takes between five and ten minutes to read. That’s about the length of a bus ride or a waiting room stay or the lead-up to a class meeting. Professional philosophy can seem abstract, esoteric, and hyper-specialized. But we all ask and try to answer philosophical questions myriad times daily: philosophy is the purview not just of the expert, but of all thoughtful people. Our goal in writing and sharing these essays is to provide high-quality introductions to great philosophical questions and debates. We hope that philosophers and non-philosophers alike will benefit from perusing these essays. Our authors generally provide references or sources for more information for readers whose interest is piqued by a particular topic or debate. https://1000wordphilosophy.com/about/

“Can They Suffer?”: Bentham on our Obligations to Animals

A woman scratching a pig under the chin.
18 March 20227 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 9 Comments

An overview of Jeremy Bentham's ethical views on animal rights, including the famous quote “the question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?”

Business Ethics

12 February 20227 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 2 Comments

An introduction to business ethics, with an overview of the many relevant stakeholders whose interests are ethically important in business.

Virtue Ethics

The main characters from The Wizard of Oz. Each has a vice, but together they are seeking to become more virtuous.
6 February 20227 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 18 Comments

An introduction to the ethical theory known as "virtue ethics," which focusses on having good character and acting on it.

Psychological Approaches to Personal Identity: Do Memories and Consciousness Make Us Who We Are?

An image of "teletransportation" from "Star Trek." Traveling by teletransporter appears to depend on a psychological theory of personal identity.
3 February 20227 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 6 Comments

An introduction to the theory of personal identity known as a psychological theory of personal identity: the nature of persons is that we are our conscious mind and memories.

Is it Wrong to Believe Without Sufficient Evidence? W.K. Clifford’s “The Ethics of Belief”

A capsized ship.
28 January 202215 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 11 Comments

An introduction to W.K. Clifford’s “The Ethics of Belief.”

Indoctrination: What is it to Indoctrinate Someone? 

An empty classroom.
16 January 202226 March 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 11 Comments

An introduction to the concept of indoctrination or what it is to indoctrinate someone, and whether that's problematic or bad or not.

Agnosticism about God’s Existence

Balancing girl standing on a teeter-totter.
5 January 202226 March 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 5 Comments

An introduction to agnosticism about God’s existence, an alternative to theism and atheism.

Theories of Moral Considerability: Who and What Matters Morally?

Armed game wardens watch over an endangered northern white rhino at a nature conservancy in Kenya.
1 January 202218 June 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 8 Comments

An introduction to theories of moral considerability, moral status or moral standing, which is about the question of who and what matters morally.

Cultural Relativism: Do Cultural Norms Make Actions Right and Wrong?

A child scanning a globe.
30 December 202120 May 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 7 Comments

An introduction to the ethical theory cultural relativism or ethical relativism or relativism: do cultural norms make actions right and wrong?

George Orwell’s Philosophical Views

George Orwell, author of Animal Farm and 1984.
17 December 202126 March 2022 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 30 Comments

An introduction to the philosophical views of Animal Farm and 1984 author George Orwell.

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