Suggested readings, 10 January 2021

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

Kenan Malik, “Is the world waking up to collective action's possibilities?” 3 Jan, The Observer.

"In a year that saw the consolidation of authoritarianism across the globe, events from Argentina to India revealed the potency of collective action. Signs of hope for 2021."

Julian Baggini, “It ain’t easy being natural.” 4 Jan, The Philosophical Inquirer.

"I have come to believe that the conceptual confusions surrounding naturalness are largely the result of a deep-rooted separation of humanity and the rest of nature in Western thought. If we see human beings as being fully part of nature, then we lose the motivation to determine where the boundaries of the natural are. Instead, we might think of the contrast between what enhances or brings out the best on the natural world and what makes it worse. With this as our priority we might prefer modern medicines and wines that draw skilfully on modern techniques and interventions over so-called 'natural' remedies and wines."

Frances Williams, “Long COVID: who is at risk?” 4 Jan, The Conversation.

What we’ve learned so far about long COVID.

Ralph Leonard, “Get ready for the post-pandemic party.” 7 Jan, UnHerd.

"Some predict, or rather salivate over, an explosion of decadence and debauchery -- a 'roaring twenties' of the 21st century. Epidemiologist Dr Nicholas Christakis certainly thinks such an era is on its way, arguing in his recent book, Apollo’s Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live, that the rest of the 2020s will be defined by 'sexual licentiousness' as people will be 'relentlessly seeking social interaction'".

Catherine Wilson, “Why Epicureanism, not Stoicism, is the philosophy we need now.” 6 Jan, New Statesman.

"What would an Epicurean world look like? It wouldn’t be based, as our world is, on the value of the speed and efficiency of output – the transformation of raw materials into consumer products and consumer products into rubbish, at whatever human cost. It would be focused on enhancing another form of utility, the creation of good experiences and the minimisation of pain."

Michael Huemer, “The Prime Fallacy: Misunderstanding Appearance.” 9 Jan, Fake Nous.

"I think this practice of treating an inclination as an appearance, or adopting a belief because it feels good, is incredibly common. When we consider a political question, we just do this automatically. It may be the source of the vast majority of ideologies, and religions, and philosophies."

Comments

Should We Use Neuroenhancement Drugs to Improve Relationships?

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