The idea that I own myself is central to my conception of me as an autonomous actor in the world; I can make choices and decisions about my actions that nobody else is, or should be, allowed to make. However, some argue that a lack of restriction on my right to do what I will [...]

The essence of the question at hand is, can I be said to exist over time? This question can be approached in two ways: the metaphysical approach concerns the truth of the statement ‘the me that exists now is the same me that existed in the past’, and the epistemological approach concerns how I can [...]

Kant said, and it still holds true today, that “it always remains a scandal of philosophy and universal human reason that the existence of things outside us… should have to be assumed merely on faith, and that if it occurs to anyone to doubt it, we should be unable to answer him with a satisfactory [...]

When I’m in parts of the physical world that have been worked on little by human beings, I feel closer to the world in a metaphysical sense. That is, my detachment from the physical world seems somewhat reduced. That is, the less subjects there are around, the greater clarity I have, and in these times [...]

Placing dolphins to one side – preferably blowhole up – the central question at hand is what characteristics does any being need to possess in order to be considered a person. This question may have much relevance and import within philosophy, yet it serves to distance the discipline from those not engaged in it, most [...]

A human life is not special in the objective sense that it was created for a purpose or by a being with a purpose (most likely anyway), or in the sense that it is different to any animal life. However, it is special in that it is a life and should be respected. The reason [...]

There are parallel worlds/universes/realities – whatever you wish to call them – and rifts/portals/gateways – again, be my guest – can open between them. These rifts, however, should not be envisaged as merely ‘doorways’, openings through which one can pass between realities. Sometimes the rifts can be individuals, people who exist between realities, although they [...]

One cannot view truth head on; it does not present itself. Just because a situation or thing can be perceived clearly, is there before one, does not make it true. The truth is cleverer, perhaps sneakier, than that. It is like a child in its desire for play, and, also like a child, is a [...]

In the second half of the 4th century BCE, Aristotle set out what was to be named by his editor ‘Metaphysics’. The aim of his musings was to determine the nature of wisdom and the means by which one can come to possess it. In this work Aristotle states what has come to be known [...]

Introduction | Descartes | G E Moore’s ‘Common Sense’ | Wittgenstein’s ‘Mystical’ Private Language Argument | A J Ayer: Logical Positivism | Kant’s ‘Refutation of Idealism’ | Conclusion Introduction Yesterday, whilst crossing a familiar road, you were hit by a bus, knocked immediately unconscious, and it was later ascertained that you had entered a comatose [...]