Philosophical Dictionary
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How to Laugh Evil in the Face--with Philosophy!
By Caroline Black
A philosopher's toolkit for empowering critique of the powerful through the lens of Mel Brooks' "The Producers" and Hannah Arendt's concept of the "banality of evil." Though humor and satire you, too, can speak up, knowing everyday evil is only human. -
Tonight You Will Be Visited by Three Spirits
By Caroline Black
A chilling tale in which you are visited by the Zeitgeist, a timely spirit, who warns you about your own complacency and overthinking. Based off Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol," this chilling seasonal tale introduces us to the Three Spirits of Philosophy. To be continued. -
The Ethics of Existence: Understanding Antinatalism and Its Philosophical Implications
By Markus Uehleke
Explore antinatalism, the philosophical stance arguing procreation is morally problematic due to life's inherent suffering. This comprehensive guide examines antinatalist arguments, their relationship to climate concerns, demographic trends, and the ethical complexities surrounding reproduction and human existence. -
When the Universe Doesn't Care: The Hilarious Truth About Cosmic Nihilism and Entropy
By Markus Uehleke
Explore the profound relationship between cosmic nihilism and entropy in this philosophical examination of universal indifference. Discover how thermodynamic laws shape existence and how thinkers like Nietzsche provide frameworks for finding meaning in an uncaring cosmos. -
MOFA is the new MAGA: George Orwell on the political spectrum
By Markus Uehleke
The 2024 U.S. election has taken a surreal turn with Elon Musk and Donald Trump cozying up, all while both camps ironically invoke George Orwell’s "1984" to attack each other. Musk, who frequently warns about dystopias, now mingles with Trump, a figure whose doublespeak mirrors Orwell's warnings. The contradictions are palpable: Musk critiques Big Brother yet controls X (formerly Twitter), a platform central to information manipulation. -
Utilitarianism: Trying to Predict the Future Like a Mind-Reading Superhero 🎯
By Markus Uehleke
Utilitarianism is all about maximizing happiness for the greatest number, a philosophy founded by Jeremy Bentham and refined by John Stuart Mill. Bentham treated all pleasures equally, which led to the joke: “If a pig’s happier than you, it’s better to be the pig!” Mill, worried we’d all become pleasure-chasing pigs, argued that higher pleasures (like thinking) are superior to lower ones (like eating).
Though noble, utilitarianism gets tricky—predicting outcomes and balancing happiness can turn life into mental gymnastics. After all, we can’t analyze every choice, not even pizza toppings!