A Philosophy Professor's Final Class
Richard J. Bernstein, a philosopher known for his energetic teaching style, explored American pragmatism and Hannah Arendt's works in his final classes at the New School for Social Research. Despite health challenges, he continued teaching via Zoom, emphasizing dialogue and intellectual inquiry.
Read original articleIn his final classes at the New School for Social Research, philosopher Richard J. Bernstein explored American pragmatism and the works of Hannah Arendt, a close friend. Bernstein, known for his energetic teaching style and ability to bridge philosophical traditions, emphasized the importance of engaging with different perspectives. His career was marked by a commitment to dialogue and intellectual inquiry, rather than aligning with specific philosophical camps. Bernstein's seminar on Arendt, conducted via Zoom, delved into her life and writings, prompting discussions on freedom, politics, and social issues. Despite health challenges that landed him in the hospital, Bernstein continued teaching, demonstrating his dedication to his students and the subject matter. His personal connection with Arendt and his contributions to philosophical discourse reflect a lifelong pursuit of understanding complex philosophical concepts and fostering intellectual growth.
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Two weeks later a message was posted on his channel by his daughter that he had passed away.
We need to listen to old folks a bit more than we do. The latest isn’t always the greatest.
Rorty left the Philosophy department (for Virginia, I think) pretty soon after that class - due to the kind of disagreement between the analytical philosophers and him rumored to be at the root of the Bernstein/Yale break (Rorty didn't believe that logic was the core of philosophy).
And Rorty was a gifted lecturer with an extremely dry sense of humor. I think I laughed more often in that class than in any other that was to follow.
Nowadays people like this philosopher would have gotten sucked into the time vortex of Twitter, Mastadon, Reddit, etc and wasted their lives away.
But back then they spent all their time in libraries actually reading important stuff. Much better for the brain and intellectual development. Not just the brain development of children but adults too
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Peter Suber, a philosophy professor, defines four stages of argument sophistication in ethical and political discourse. Progressing from dogmatism to responsive two-sided arguments at Stage 4 fosters critical thinking and genuine inquiry.
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On the 40th anniversary of Michel Foucault's death, his multidisciplinary work challenging power dynamics and norms continues to influence academia and society, sparking debates on unintended consequences and institutional power perpetuation.
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Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, once united in existentialism and justice, clashed over socialism and communism, sparking a public feud. Their split mirrored political tensions, questioning the trade-offs in pursuing justice and freedom.