Ludwig 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 …
Conor McGlynn
Is post-human humanism possible?
Stephen Hawking recently became the latest public thinker to speak out about the dangers that arise with advances in artificial intelligence. He did not mince words: “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race”. …
Rehabilitating a love of wisdom
Knowing what the good life is, and knowing how to achieve it, requires practical wisdom.
What is it to live well? Since the ancient world, philosophers have considered questions about the good life. How should society best be structured to facilitate citizens to achieve their potential? What good should governments orientate their policies towards? Aristotle …
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.
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 …
Troubled Waters
Conor McGlynn
Deputy Comment Editor
On a Friday at the end of March, it was announced that the columnist John Waters would stop contributing pieces to The Irish Times. Waters’ weekly column featured in the Friday paper since 1991, and …
The lost art of the manifesto
Conor McGlynn
Deputy Comment Editor
“We stand on the last promontory of the centuries! […] Why should we look back, when what we want is to break down the mysterious doors of the Impossible? Time and Space died yesterday. We …
Ulster Says Art
Conor McGlynn
Deputy Comment Editor
Derry is a city that is trying hard to reinvent itself after its troubled past. It wants to promote itself as a dynamic, forward-looking place that has overcome the deep historic divisions that have scarred …
Labour in terminal decline?
A litany of broken promises, public rebellions and embarrassing cock-ups have left the Labour Party in disarray. Conor McGlynn questions whether Labour will be able to turn around their fortunes and avert catastrophe before electoral wipeout.
In June 2010, an …