The Philosopher's Shirt

Philosophical Dictionary

  • A detail from a painting, with Machiavelli, a man dressed in black, seated in a darkened room.

    Machiavelli’s The Prince: An Ethic Without a ‘Should’

    By Caroline Black

    Why do we call many of the most evil of political figures Machiavellian? Are there ethics when it comes to politics? Join us as we discuss the intricacies of Niccolo Machiavelli's OG self-help book for the ruling elite, The Prince.
  • Illustrated cross-section of Plato's cave allegory, showing chained prisoners facing shadow puppets of a vase, horse, and bird cast by firelight, with a figure escaping toward the cave entrance above.

    Plato's Cave Allegory: One Prisoner Is Dragged Out. Then He Goes Back.

    By Markus Uehleke

    Plato's Cave usually stops at 'enlightenment.' The real ending, from Republic Book VII, has a prisoner going blind twice and one exact line about killing anyone who tries to free the others. Here's what the Cave actually says about truth, education, and who gets punished for ending an illusion.
  • Where Aristotle contradicted Plato

    Where Aristotle contradicted Plato

    By Markus Uehleke

    Why and how do the two philosophies of Plato and Aristotle differ? We explain the differences with the help of a meme. Read more here.