The state was just 89 people shy of holding onto its previous 27-seat delegation in the House of Representatives — New York was one apartment building short of not losing a congressional seat, according to recent census data released in April. The state was just 89 residents shy of holding onto its previous 27-seat delegation in the House of Representatives, but was ultimately beat out by Minnesota for the 435th…

The end of the year—and the beginning of a new one—often presents us with an opportunity for some sober reflection. And after a year like 2020, there is perhaps no better time for such a mental exercise. …

In the Evolution of Morality, Richard Joyce examines the nature of our moral sense through a genealogical account and seeks to determine if we are justified in holding moral beliefs after learning more about their etiology. Joyce’s so-called evolutionary “debunking” of morality occurs in the last chapter of his book…

A Q&A With Two Scholars on the Topic — Below are slected questions from two different interviews about the same topic. That topic: the tearing down of statues and monuments. The first set of questions is from Dr. Rachael Zeleny from the University of Baltimore, whose research considers the way in which we interact with public art. …

Sartre’s notions of freedom and choice are worthwhile to consider during these times of lockdown and loss of social connection. All quotes taken from Existentialism is a Humanism, 1946, Being and Nothingness, 1943. The aristocratic rebel might have been founded by Rousseau and Byron, but it was lived most fully…

The 18th century natural philosopher Emilie du Châtelet provides a unique account. All quotes Discourse on Happiness (1748), and Being and Nothingness (1993). Happiness is one of the greatest existential dilemmas to wash ashore. Since before the time of the Sages, people have been concerned with formulating what it is…

Kant showed that synthetic a priori judgements were possible. Here’s how. Quotes taken from Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics. The 18th century saw the rise of the British Empiricists, and philosophy was dominated by the figures of Locke, Berkeley, and Hume. All had a theory of knowledge that presumed knowledge…

Aristotle’s teleological theory is often used in discussions about human nature. It is worth noticing it supports Aristotle’s sexist conclusions. Quotes taken from Aristotle’s Politics, Physics, De Anima, and On Generation of Animals. Aristotle’s notions of women were certainly conventional for his time period. Ancient Greece accepted the subjugation of…

All quotes from Essay Concerning Human Understanding, B.II Ch.XXI The notion of personal will — and its freedom — is one that has caused endless discussion throughout the annals of Western philosophy. However, for John Locke, this question is absurd. In Book II, Chapter XXI of An Essay Concerning Human…