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Don’t put Descartes before the horse: why philosophy won’t save the Junior Cert

Despite the excitement around the introduction of Junior Cert Philosophy, Dearbháil Clarke is skeptical of the level of change it will bring.

COMMENTIt’s common knowledge at this stage that something vague and formless is shifting in the Junior Cycle.  The Junior Certificate is rebranding itself as the Junior Cycle Student Award (JCSA). The Department of Education and Skills are throwing out buzzwords

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What we can all learn from Wittgenstein about the art of living well

By correctly attending to the ways in which we use language, we may become more tolerant, respectful, and happy.

comment1Ludwig Wittgenstein was perhaps the most important philosopher active in the 20th century. Wittgenstein’s main concern in his philosophy was with language; how we use it, and what we can and cannot say. As a ‘linguistic philosopher’ it may seem …

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Studying philosophy has taught me nothing except how to survive misery

I have developed a virtue ethics specifically designed to help you not only survive, but thrive in periods of low-level misery.

comment1When you are stuck in essay purgatory, your perception of the world changes. You burrow yourself like a little mole into your study alcove. Emerging on rare trips from your lair, the sky presses in oppressively, you glare enviously at …

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What would Socrates think of the internet?

Like the ancient god Theuth, the inventors of the internet proudly trumpet the benefits of their creation while neglecting its possible harmful effects.

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Today, we have unparalleled access to the entire corpus of human knowledge. The internet has transformed how we appreciate and consume information and content. The recent advent of smart devices allows us to tap into this font of information no …