Philosophy Now

Philosophy Now is a magazine for everyone interested in ideas. It isn't afraid to tackle all the major questions of life, the universe and everything. It tries to corrupt innocent citizens by convincing them that philosophy can be exciting, worthwhile and comprehensible, and also to provide some light and enjoyable reading matter for those already ensnared by the muse, such as philosophy students and academics. It contains articles on all aspects of philosophy, plus book reviews, film reviews, news, cartoons, and the occasional short story.

Happy Thoughts

Philosophy Now

some of our Contributors

News

Philosophy Shorts

Hedonic Treadmills in the Vale of Tears • Michael Gracey looks at how philosophers have pursued happiness.

Arthur Schopenhauer Philosophy’s Dr Feelgood

The Good Life Paradox • Matthew Hammerton points out that a meaningful life and a life that goes well for you might not be the same thing.

Philosophical Haiku

Deconstructing Happiness

EXISTENTIAL COMICS • A strip by Corey Mohler about Schopenhauer

Ancient Indian Wisdom for a Restless Age • Jahnvi Borgohain looks at a variety of approaches to happiness.

For What It’s Worth

The Necessary Ache • Tara Daneshmand on regret and the courage to choose.

SiMON + FiNN

The Philosophy of William Blake •  Mark Vernon looks at the imaginative thinking of an imaginative artist.

The Philosophy of Race • Sailee Khurjekar argues that race is culturally constructed.

Evolution or Progress? • Adam Neiblum asks what the difference is, and why it matters.

What Women? • Marcia Yudkin remembers almost choking at Cornell.

Peter Singer • The controversial Australian philosopher defends the right to choose to die on utilitarian grounds. Matt Qvortrup recently asked him about it.

Question of the Month • Each answer below receives a random book. Apologies to the entrants not included.

On Tyranny • AmirAli Maleki looks at tyranny from an Islamic perspective.

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) •  Colin Mackenzie surveys the full life of a philanthropic philosopher.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY

Letters • When inspiration strikes, don’t bottle it up. Email me at rick.lewis@philosophynow.org Keep them short and keep them coming!

The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Friendship • Elaine Coburn dips into different understandings of friendship while John B. Min ponders temporarily stepping away from people for the sake of political understanding.

Civic Solitude

Wish You Were Here • Ian Rizzo listens out for a philosophy of absence.

John Searle (1932–2025) • Mariam Awwad sums up a very philosophical consciousness.

Marcus Aurelius’s Ten Commandments • Massimo Pigliucci studies the Stoic Emperor’s to-do list.

Another Conversation with Martin Heidegger? • Raymond Tallis talks about communication problems.

Subscribe to Philosophy Now Back Issues & Digital Editions

Bilbo Theorizes About Wellbeing • Eric Comerford overhears Bilbo and Gandalf discussing happiness.

Fiction