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.
  • A painting of two old bearded men in a darkened room, the one on the right pointing to an open book in his hand.

    5 Reasons You Should Read Primary Sources, in No Particular Order

    By Caroline Black

    Let's discuss why you should be reading primary sources, and what benefit doing so can give you, outside of the classroom.
  • René Descartes in Santa suit working at desk in toy workshop with elves making toys

    We Are the Meme: A Christmas Whammy on the Nature of Love

    By Caroline Black

    We discuss love, loss, and "Last Christmas" in our newest article, in which we are the meme. Let's talk about classical definitions of love in our first holiday post of the year.
  • The avaricious, the greedy and the profligate; Priamo della Quercia, 15th century.

    Epicurus Unchained: A Defense Against Dante's Condemnation

    By Klaus Koppe

    Explore how Dante condemned Epicurus to hell for his materialist philosophy and how this suppression might have delayed scientific progress. This witty essay contrasts Epicurean atomism with Platonic dualism and traces how Christian dogma replaced ancient philosophical pluralism.
  • Do You Really Know What You Know, You Know?

    Do You Really Know What You Know, You Know?

    By Caroline Black

    In which we discuss epistemology in the terms of Socrates and his final dialogue, the Apology. What do we know? How do we know it? We touch on this from the context of the founder of Western philosophy.