Is this the best of all possible worlds?
Leibniz’s claim that God created the optimal world fails to explain the intractable problem of human suffering.
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Agora
Agora is the New Statesman’s philosophy column: a space for academics to address contemporary social, political and cultural issues from a philosophical point of view.
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Agora
Are severe sanctions on Russia morally justified?
Sanctions may impose serious harm on ordinary citizens, but they are justified if they stand a chance of stopping the…
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What anger tells us about ourselves
By indicating who and what we value, our rage illuminates our moral character.
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How refugees strengthen democracy and solidarity
Those who have had to flee their countries can be architects of political repair, both in their host societies and…
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Should consuming revenge porn be a criminal offence?
Without an audience, revenge porn doesn't work. Those who view these images need to understand they are participants in the…
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Why falsehoods on Twitter spread faster than truth
Since the platform is perfectly designed for what Heidegger called "idle talk", it's no surprise that untruths proliferate there.
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What Hitchcock’s Vertigo teaches us about love
The film's twin love stories contrast two ways of understanding what tethers us to someone: personal qualities and shared history.
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Why democracies need the notion of a loyal opposition
Democracy is a battle of ideas, but one that depends on treating opponents as legitimate adversaries not treasonous enemies.
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