Suggested readings, 20 September 2020

Here are some interesting articles I have read over the past week that I think are worth checking out.

John Gray, “What cats taught me about philosophy.” 17 Sep, UnHerd.

Philosopher John Gray argues that cats do not crave inner quietude, and unlike humans, they are able to achieve it. "Not craving inner quietude, cats revert to it whenever they are not practically threatened. Not looking for meaning in their lives, they are free to live them as they come, without looking for distraction or consolation. It is life itself that they value."

Joe Humphreys, “The forgotten women in philosophy: time to set the record straight.” 17 Sep, Irish Times.

Interview with Rebecca Buxton and Lisa Whiting, editors of a new volume entitled With The Philosopher Queen. "[T]here were a number of early modern women philosophers who contributed hugely to metaphysics: Margaret Cavendish, Anne Conway and Elizabeth of Bohemia to name only a few. To take ethical studies, again, there are so many women who have hugely impacted this area of philosophy: Mary Astell, Mary Wollstonecraft, Iris Murdoch and Iris Marion Young for instance."

William Li and Andrew von Eschenbach, “It’s time to focus on potential long-term organ damage from covid-19.” 14 Sep, Washington Post.

"It’s hard to imagine that covid-19 could have an even bigger impact on public health -- and the global economy -- than it already has. But the vascular consequences of the disease, which we’re only beginning to discover, could make this first wave of the pandemic look mild. The work of preventing this second pandemic can’t begin soon enough."

Kat Rosenfield, “Love Hurts.” 17 Sep, Persuasion.

Writer Kat Rosenfield on the current state of heterosexual affairs and that we must stop infantilising women and demonising men.

David Quammen, “The Pandemic, From the Virus’s Point of View.” 19 Sep, New York Times.

David Quammen, author of Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic, reminds us that evolution isn't set up to please humans. "Viruses have no malice against us. They have no purposes, no schemes. They follow the same simple Darwinian imperatives as do rats or any other creature driven by a genome: to extend themselves as much as possible in abundance, in geographical space and in time."

David Ley, “Performative Rage Over Pedophilia Doesn't Protect Kids.” 13 Sep, Psychology Today.

Psychologist David Ley points out, contrary to popular opinion, that not all pedophiles sexually abuse children, and sexual abuse is often carried out by non-pedophiles.

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