August 22, 2025: University of Michigan Studying: Uncle Peter

[Laterthis week, we’ll be moving my youngerson Kyle into his first-year dorm at Michigan. So this week, through proudDad tears, I’ll share a handful of UMichigan contexts, leading up to a specialpost on some of Kyle’s plans there!]

I couldn’tdedicate a weeklong series to the University of Michigan without highlightingmy other favorite member of its community, my uncle PeterRailton. Peter is just 15 months younger than his oldest brother, my late DadSteve Railton (they also have two younger siblings, my uncle Mark and auntJanet), and so for me he will always be first and foremost a wonderful reminderof so much of what I love about my Dad as well. But Peter is also one of our most important philosophers,not only academically but also in our public conversations—never more so thanin his justifiably famous 2015 DeweyLecture on his lifelong struggle with depression. I’m honored to call himmy uncle, and very excited that Kyle will be joining him in the Michigancommunity!

Specialpost this weekend,

Ben

PS. Whatdo you think?