Philosophy

Do Races Exist? A Genetic Perspective

February 6, 2018
Do Races Exist? A Genetic Perspective

People are often taught that races are entirely made up. And while we would like to accept this view on ideological grounds of equality, the obvious differences in appearance always leave us feeling like something isn’t quite right with that answer. Clearly some kind of difference exists. But what is it? And does it matter? …

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How to Read Literature in Translation

January 30, 2017
How to Read Literature in Translation

If you’ve ever played a video game from the ’80s, you know that not all translations are created equal. Just see the humorous All Your Base Are Belong to Us meme for a taste of what I mean. Which translation of a classic you choose to read greatly affects your reading experience. Most classics have multiple …

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How Art Changes the World

January 25, 2017
Caspar David Friedrich - Wanderer above the sea of fog

At the philosophy group I attend, we were discussing the final chapter of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (OPAR) about her views on art. At first glance, the chapter appears a cursory postscript to the book–an obligatory nod to esthetics since it is one of the five branches of philosophy. But art–including literature–is not just …

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