Story Archives of 'philosophy'

Are we an excessively individualistic- and even selfish- culture? Does New Hampshire's "Live Free or Die" ethos place too much emphasis on the rights of the individuals and not enough on the well-being of our communities? Is it ever justified to sacrifice an individual's rights for the sake of the collective? What are the dangers of valuing the collective more than the community? Post your thoughts below and respond to other postings.

Guest

• Nick Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Hampshire, Advisor to the Socratic Society at UNH and Project Advisor to the Socrates Exchange

The Exchange's monthly discussion series is back, and our first question is on truth. Can we be wrong in our beliefs or are all beliefs equally correct, simply because they’re a matter of perspective and the product of different cultures? What evidence do we have either way? Most would say that two plus two equals four or that the Earth revolves around the sun. Fundamentalists in religion and politicians on the fringes take core truths even further by saying that their way is the right and only way. But then there are many who feel that almost anything can be considered as opinion whether its religion, morality, or law. Even scientific ideas like Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or the Ideal Gas Law cannot be 100% proven. If there are core truths, what are they and how can we verify that they are certain?

Guest

• Nick Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Hampshire, Advisor to the Socratic Society at UNH and Project Advisor to the Socrates Exchange

Here’s a question that’s been stumping philosophers and psychologists for centuries: does the language we use to describe the world actually shape how we view the world? In other words, does an English speaker actually think differently, and live their life differently, than someone who speaks Mandarin, or Turkish?

That idea was largely pushed aside for the past half-century. Linguists like Noam Chomsky looked for universalities – aspects of grammar common to all languages, to show that we all think similarly, despite differences in language.

Now the idea that language shapes thought is coming back into fashion, thanks in part to researchers like Stanford neuroscientist Lera Boroditsky. She’s been collecting data from China, Greece, Chile, Indonesia, Russia and Aboriginal Australia, among other places. And she believes language plays a big role in how we view the world. She joins us from San Francisco.

Edge: How Does Our Language Shape The Way We Think?
From What's Next?: Dispatches on the Future of Science

(Photo by Mike Bailey-Gates via Flickr/Creative Commons)

In our next installment of The Socrates Exchange we're asking the question: “What is the relationship between money, happiness, and a good life?” Our culture may often tell us the personal wealth equals success, but most of us are suspicious of this. What really is the relationship between money, happiness, and a good life? If money isn't essential for happiness, why are we concerned with poverty? Is money, as some say, the root of all evil?

Guest

• Nick Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Hampshire, Advisor to the Socratic Society at UNH and Project Advisor to the Socrates Exchange

We'll also hear from

• Father Jerome Day, a Benedictine Priest, professor of English at St. Anselm College and pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Manchester
• Sue Macoo, of Capital Craftsman and Romance Jewelers in Concord
• Kirke Olsen, psychologist and owner of The Positivity Company

British-born painter Roy Adzak said “good art is not what it looks like but what it does for us”. French painter Paul Cezanne suggests “that a work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art”, while American poet Ezra Pound demands that “Good art can not be immoral. That’s the question that we’re asking in our next Socrates Exchange – “What is good art”. How do you define good art? What does it include, or not include? Post your comments, then respond to others on this page.

Guest

• Chris Phillips, author of several books on philosophy including “Socrates in Love”, “Socrates Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy” and “Six Questions of Socrates: A Modern-Day Journey of Discovery through World Philosophy”. Chris Phillips also leads “Socrates Cafes” across the country which engages groups by using the methods of the ancient Greek philosopher.