Topical Units

Below are units of our essays on topics of timely and timeless interest.

Critical Thinking and Arguments

People are encouraged to “think critically” but what is critical thinking? What are good arguments? And why is thinking critically and having good arguments important?

Justice

There are many injustices in our world, and many people want to seek justice and oppose injustice. But what is justice? What is injustice? What are the best theories or explanations here?

Government

Why do we have government? One answer is a question: what if we didn’t have government? What would life be like? Answers here points towards what better, more just forms of government might be:

The Law

Many people think we should usually obey the law, but not always or necessarily: what are those exceptions? And what is the authority of law anyway?

Knowledge

Most people know a lot. But many people claim to know things that they probably don’t know. But what is knowledge anyway?

Conspiracy Theories

People believe in a large variety of conspiracy theories, e.g., regarding JFK’s assassination, 9/11, Jeffrey Epstein, etc. Why are these theories so appealing to people and is it ever rational to believe in them?

Indoctrination

People are often opposed to “indoctrination,” but what is indoctrination anyway? Is it always bad? How can it be resisted, when it should?

Free Speech

People sometimes claim to value free speech. But some people think some speech should be restricted? But what is “free speech” and who might impose any restrictions of it, of any kind?

Expertise

People today often question expertise and say, for instance, that you should “do your own research.” What makes someone an expert? When should we trust experts and when should we question them?

Disagreements

What should you think when people disagree with your views on an issue? What should you think when smart, accomplished, experienced people disagree with you?

Ethical Disagreements

How do we make ethical decisions when people often disagree about which basic moral rules or principles are best?

Ethical Principles

What are some of the most historically influential ethical theories or answers to the question, “What makes wrong actions wrong?” Quick answers: harm, disrespect, and unfairness, explained here:

Ethics and Authority

Just because a culture believes something doesn’t make it true. And just because a culture—or perhaps anyone—disapproves of doing an action doesn’t seem to make it wrong. Why is that, at least according to many philosophers?

Friendship and Relationships

Many people find that friendships and romantic relationships are important to a good, happy life. But what’s a good friend? What are good relationships?

Artificial Intelligence

What is artificial intelligence? What philosophical and ethical issues are raised by artificial intelligence?

Socialism and Capitalism

People often have strong views both for and against socialism and capitalism. But what are either of these really?

Marxism

People often call things “Marxist,” what is Marxism? What did Karl Marx actually say about various issues?

Punishment

Why do we punish anyone? What punishments are justified? Why?

Race and Racism

What are races? And what is racism and what makes it wrong?

Reparations

Some people say there should be reparations to African Americans for slavery (and reparations to other groups for other injustices). What’s their basic case? What are the typical responses?

Feminism

Some people today consider themselves feminists, while others do not. What are the different types of feminism?

Orwell, Arendt, and Le Guin

George Orwell, Hannah Arendt, and Ursula Le Guin offer powerful insights into truth, power, and resistance. Orwell exposed the dangers of authoritarianism and propaganda, Arendt examined totalitarianism and moral responsibility, and Le Guin used fiction to challenge ethical assumptions. These essays explore why their ideas still matter today:

Blame and Praise

When should we blame people for what they do?

Meaning and Happiness

People want meaningful lives. They want to be happy. What is a meaningful, or a more meaningful, life? What is it to be happy?

Helping Other People

Do we ever have to help other people? Most people think so, but what are the limits on that not helping?

Animals and Ethics

Many people believe that many animals can be treated wrongly and that there are some moral obligations to animals. What do they think and why do they think that?

Abortion

Some people are against abortion—both ethically and legally–while others think that abortion can be morally permissible. What are the ethical issues involved in abortion?

Videogames and Fun

Videogames aren’t just fun: they’re philosophical. But how so? Fun is sometimes funny, so what is it to be funny? Finally, videogames and fun often make people happy, so what’s that?

Quantum Mechanics

Quantum Mechanics is one of physics’ greatest achievements, and it is often claimed to have fascinating philosophical implications. Just what is this theory, and what might it tell us about the world we live in?

Time and Space

Science fiction stories and scientific theories provoke interesting questions about the nature of space and time. For instance, is time travel possible? Does time always move in one direction? And just what are space and time anyway?

Belief in God

Many people believe in God. What are the most influential arguments to believe there is a God?

Atheism and Agnosticism

Not everyone believes in God or believes that God exists. Why are some people not theists?

An Afterlife

Many people, especially religious people, hope to experience an afterlife, in hopefully “the good place” and not “the bad place.” But what might these be like? Could there be an afterlife anyway?

Ethics and Religion

If ethics doesn’t depend on religion (such as what God or a religion says), what might ethics depend on–meaning, what makes wrong actions wrong and right actions right? Some quick answers: harm, disrespect, and unfairness, explained here:

Why Study Philosophy?

The questions and answers above are all philosophical. What is philosophy anyway? Why study philosophy?

What other units should be created? Please let us know!