Nigel Warburton
05 January 2023
Everyday Philosophy: Pundits’ predictions aren’t guarantees
It's political forecasting season for pundits. But, this doesn't mean they will be accurate
Read the full article22 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: How to think about Jesus
Even for atheists, some of what he preaches is worth considering as secular moral philosophy
Read the full article15 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We need to open our eyes
As Sherlock Holmes put it: we see, but we do not observe. This needs to change or we risk repeatedly confirming our prejudices
Read the full article08 December 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The philosopher’s take on capital punishment
Britain is a more civilised society without the death penalty. I hope this Orwellian humanitarianism prevails, but these are dark days
Read the full article01 December 2022
‘I am not an example. I am just a human with emotion’
Some have labelled Cantona an existentialist. Partly because he is French and partly as he defies conventions. But, is that warranted?
Read the full article24 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Why we need libraries
Libraries are vibrant places of hope, discovery and opportunity. They are in desperate need of funding and we cannot afford to let them perish
Read the full article17 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We can’t just “focus on the football”
The human cost of the World Cup has been far too high and it would be disrespectful to pretend otherwise
Read the full article10 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The point of self-reflection
It's hard to find meaning in today's world. Nonetheless, we should embrace it, in all its absurdity
Read the full article03 November 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Elon Musk, the ‘free speech absolutist’
It seems, however, that Musk is set to take a laissez-faire approach to free speech with minimal moderation on the platform
Read the full article27 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: When bridges are burnt
The Kerch Strait bridge will never be the same again. The patched-up bridge may end up looking like the original, but it will now have very different connotations
Read the full article20 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The links between Nietzsche and Rothko
If you think Rothko's pieces are merely calm meditative paintings, look again. Carefully.
Read the full article13 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Why we pay attention to autumn leaves
Our ancestors reacted quickly to seasonal change. It's time for us to prepare for the cold months ahead
Read the full article06 October 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The end of fairness
In today's society, justice as fairness is under threat
Read the full article29 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We’re living a dog’s life
We may be living a dog's life. But, when left uncared for street dogs are far from docile. The government needs to watch out
Read the full article22 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we talk to tyrants?
We want peace and ought to seek it. However, negotiating with a suspected war criminal is far from desirable
Read the full article15 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: What is grief’s purpose?
Grief is the long-lasting flame that keeps memories alive. As Queen Elizabeth herself said, “grief is the price we pay for love”
Read the full article08 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we be more like water?
A willingness to adapt rather than stick with the ways of the past would be beneficial for the contemporary political environment
Read the full article01 September 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Should we criticise our politicians for having a good time?
Videos of dancing politicians often bring in both criticism and amusement. But, holidaying during a national crisis is unforgivable
Read the full article25 August 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Do we need to be protected from risk-taking?
We don't want our freedoms curtailed too much, but sometimes paternalism can save us from ourselves
Read the full article18 August 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Heat or eat is not a choice fit for a civilised society
So, naturally, there are signs of social unrest and civil disobedience across the country
Read the full article11 August 2022
Have I got too much news for you?
From Ukraine to wildfires, from Partygate to Taiwan, the blur of events seems faster than ever. Is it a sign of the times or a trick of our minds?
Read the full article11 August 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The complexities around returning the Benin Bronzes
When the bronzes were created, Nigeria didn’t exist as a country the way it does today. So, is returned the right word?
Read the full article04 August 2022
Everyday Philosophy: We need to prepare for the robot revolution
When it comes, it will be led by complex AI machines that are able to adapt to any environment. Make no mistake - the robots are coming
Read the full article28 July 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The aesthetic case for butterfly preservation
We don’t need a pragmatic or evolutionary reason to value butterflies. There's a simple joy in seeing them
Read the full article14 July 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Can, and should, we learn from Henry David Thoreau?
The answer is both yes and no. While we can take many things from his thinking, we must be wary of his celebration of self-reliance
Read the full article07 July 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The ongoing battle against old age
You can’t win the fight against ageing. But, it’s part of the human condition to try
Read the full article30 June 2022
Everyday Philosophy: How Stoicism can help ease the summer of discontent
We must remember that we can control what we think and feel about the cards we are dealt, but not what happens to us
Read the full article23 June 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The government is neglecting animal welfare
Britain is a nation of animal lovers. So, the government should be wary that post-Brexit imports could include food products from countries with far lowers standards than ours
Read the full article16 June 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Can political predictions ever be precise?
Many pundits feel Boris Johnson's demise is inevitable. But attempts to determine exactly when he'll go are highly speculative
Read the full article09 June 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Can you ever morally own a masterpiece?
The best way to protect, and honour, culturally important objects is to put them on public ownership in museums
Read the full article02 June 2022
Everyday Philosophy: Why one swallow doesn’t make a summer
Swallows can't exactly reflect on their actions. We, however, can think about if we're actually acting virtuously or not
Read the full article26 May 2022
Everyday Philosophy: The dangers of kill switches
Remote locking has thwarted the Russians in Ukraine but the technology has more dystopian possibilities
Read the full article