Stephen R.C. Hicks's Blog, page 36

Galt’s Gulch conference, Washington DC next week

I’ll be participating in four sessions during the three-day conference in downtown Washington, speaking on the state of the culture, Woke, moral philosophy, and applied epistemology. Are We Doomed—Or on the Edge of a New Golden Age? State of the Culture panel w/ Stephen Hicks, Ph.D., Richard M. Salsman, Ph.D., & Robert Tracinski A look […]

Philosophy for Real Life | Stephen Hicks Answers 22 Questions about Integrity, Character, Art, and Politics

Filmed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 22 Questions: Should One be Cynical or Benevolent? | How Can I Find My Own Voice? | Who is Your Favorite Artist? | Why did Art become Ugly? | What is Postmodernism? | What is Art? | Is Ambition Good? | Is Capitalism the Most Moral System? | What […]

On affairs with older women (classic advice from Benjamin Franklin)

[Frank advice about a “violent natural inclination” from sage Benjamin Franklin, supposing that celibacy is not a desirable option.] “But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking that Commerce with the Sex is inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice that in your Amours you should prefer old Women to young […]

George Bernard Shaw, socialist: justify your existence to the government—or die

One-minute clip from a leading 20th-century socialist: “I object to all punishment whatsoever. I don’t want to punish anybody. But there are an extraordinary number of people whom I want to kill. Not in any unkind or personal spirit. But it must be evident to all of you, you must all know half a dozen […]

“Why Art became Ugly” — with updated images

The article was first published in 2004, based on a 2003 lecture in New York City. “For a long time critics of modern and postmodern art have relied on the “Isn’t that disgusting” strategy. By that I mean the strategy of pointing out that given works of art are ugly, trivial, or in bad taste, […]

“Why are philosophers stupid about politics?”

Essayist Joseph Epstein asks a question about philosophers: “What is it about the study of philosophy that tends to make brilliant minds stupid when it comes down to what are known as actual cases? Consider Martin Heidegger, Bertrand Russell, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, the four great names in twentieth-century philosophy: the first was a […]

Estonian translation of *Explaining Postmodernism* coming soon

I’m happy to announce an Estonian translation of Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault is to be published by Postimees Kirjastus out of Tallinn, Estonia. Here’s the cover: I’ll post the publication info when it’s out. For other editions and translations, please see the Explaining Postmodernism page.

What Moves History: Intro. to the Philosophy of History, by Stephen RC Hicks [In Case You Missed It]

What Moves History? An Introduction to the Philosophy of History By Stephen R. C. Hicks Topic Outline: Introduction: Why Rome’s Collapse, Renaissance, Modern Revolutions? History and Philosophy of History Philosophy of history’s three types of questions: 1. Metaphysical Questions about History Divine Causation? Materialist Causation? Volitional Causation? Individual or Collective Causation? Does History Have a […]

The excellent *John Adams* mini-series

[Reposting this recommendation.] John Adams the mini-series came out last year, but I just began watching it yesterday. The first two episodes are excellent. What a great way to spend part of July 4. Paul Giamatti’s performance hooked me: I have a renewed appreciation for John Adams’s brilliance, determination, and integrity. I also have an […]

Thomas Jefferson on the old doctrines of Europe

“The doctrines of Europe, were that men in numerous associations cannot be restrained within the limits of order and justice, except by forces physical and moral wielded over them by authorities independent of their will …. We believe that man was a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights, and with an innate sense of […]