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The Practical Philosopher
Applying the tools of academic philosophy to topics of ordinary interest
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What’s wrong with lying?
What’s wrong with lying?
Some people think it’s always wrong to lie. Others seem to think it’s often totally fine. Can we split the difference?
Michael Prinzing
Feb 16, 2020
Is there a single, ultimate moral principle?
Is there a single, ultimate moral principle?
Many modern moral philosophers have sought to identify a single, ultimate moral principle. Kant famously offers the Categorical Imperative…
Michael Prinzing
Feb 1, 2020
Humanity’s interest in life’s meaning is ancient
Humanity’s interest in life’s meaning is ancient
Some philosophers have argued that the idea did not exist until recently. I think they’re mistaken.
Michael Prinzing
Jan 7, 2020
Resisting temptation
Resisting temptation
Reflections on why we experience temptation, and what we can do to overcome it.
Michael Prinzing
Aug 17, 2019
Review: A Philosophy for the Science of Well-Being, by Anna Alexandrova
Review: A Philosophy for the Science of Well-Being, by Anna Alexandrova
A review of Anna Alexandrova’s recent book
Michael Prinzing
Jan 25, 2019
Meaning and Identity in a Job-Scarce World
Meaning and Identity in a Job-Scarce World
If all (or nearly all) human workers are displaced by machines, where will we find meaning, purpose, and a sense of identity?
Michael Prinzing
Nov 2, 2018
Meaning in life comes from making a contribution
Meaning in life comes from making a contribution
In my article Meaning in Life: The Fitting Fulfillment View, I tentatively endorsed the Fitting Fulfillment (FF) theory of meaning in life…
Michael Prinzing
May 12, 2018
Wise Ways to Spend Your Money
Wise Ways to Spend Your Money
They say that money can’t buy happiness. There is much to be said for this little piece of wisdom. But it’s not completely true.
Michael Prinzing
Feb 1, 2018
Taking Responsibility for the Planet
Taking Responsibility for the Planet
Social norms encouraging/requiring environmentally friendly behavior are shockingly weak, compared with norms surrounding other forms of…
Michael Prinzing
Jan 5, 2018
Why We Should Regulate Advertising to Children
Why We Should Regulate Advertising to Children
The wellbeing of our society depends on it.
Michael Prinzing
Dec 18, 2017
The Gospel of Consumption
The Gospel of Consumption
Contemporary American consumerism is a product of deliberate efforts by 20th century businesses to make people unsatisfied. Let’s throw off…
Michael Prinzing
Nov 17, 2017
Minimalism: For the Planet and for Yourself
Minimalism: For the Planet and for Yourself
This much is clear: the way that humans have historically consumed resources has harmed our planet. If we don’t make serious changes to the…
Michael Prinzing
Oct 5, 2017
Extremism and Basic Income: Part 2
Extremism and Basic Income: Part 2
In part 1 of this article, I defended the following argument:
Michael Prinzing
Sep 19, 2017
Extremism and Basic Income: Part 1
Extremism and Basic Income: Part 1
How did Donald Trump become so influential in American politics? I think at least a major part of the answer is that he tapped into…
Michael Prinzing
Sep 1, 2017
Reflections on the Future of Human Labor
Reflections on the Future of Human Labor
Is computer technology, including especially artificial intelligence, a threat to human workers? And, if so, what should we do?
Michael Prinzing
Aug 15, 2017
The Importance of an Imbalanced Life
The Importance of an Imbalanced Life
What are the best things in life? What makes life worth living? Or, more positively, which things — should you be so fortunate as to have…
Michael Prinzing
Jun 13, 2017
No Other Animals Do That
No Other Animals Do That
In this article I want to examine a really bad kind of argument. You’ve probably heard it before. For some reason, this style of argument…
Michael Prinzing
May 26, 2017
Meaning in Life: The Fitting Fulfillment View
Meaning in Life: The Fitting Fulfillment View
Revision: This article is now effectively part 1 of a series on meaning in life. I now believe that the view described here is wrong…
Michael Prinzing
Apr 20, 2017
What is Wisdom?
What is Wisdom?
Taken literally, “philosopher” refers to a lover of wisdom. So it’s surprising how little 20th and 21st century philosophers have written…
Michael Prinzing
Feb 20, 2017
A Review of Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrum
A Review of Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrum
Oxford University Press; ISBN 978–0198739838; 390 pages
Michael Prinzing
Feb 2, 2017
Facts and Opinions are not Contraries
Facts and Opinions are not Contraries
“Fact vs opinion” is not like “hot vs cold” or “fast vs slow”. Facts and opinions are different kinds of things.
Michael Prinzing
Dec 31, 2016
A Different Kind of Worry about Artificial Intelligence
A Different Kind of Worry about Artificial Intelligence
Like many people, I’ve been thinking about Artificial Intelligence recently. The development of AI comes with a lot of ethical…
Michael Prinzing
Dec 1, 2016
The Stoics: Practical Philosophers
The Stoics: Practical Philosophers
It’s far less common than I would like that one finds philosophical references in ordinary life. How pleasant it is, then, that in recent…
Michael Prinzing
Oct 8, 2016
The Paleo-Logic
The Paleo-Logic
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably heard of the Paleo Diet. Then again, if you do live under a…
Michael Prinzing
Sep 4, 2016
The “Practical” Philosopher?
The “Practical” Philosopher?
Without fail, whenever I tell someone that I study philosophy, I receive one of two responses. The first response is a kind of uncertain…
Michael Prinzing
Sep 4, 2016
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