Month: January 2011
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On the category of emerging adulthood; or, how 20 somethings are wasting their lives
A Polemic There’s been a lot of talk of late about 20 somethings. Discussions have ranged from their carnivorous tastes in social media to their open attitude toward sexuality to their desire for self-esteem. By my lights, the most interesting discussion has centered on a new category of individual development: emerging adulthood. According to Jeffrey…
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Reason follows in fortune’s train
“Fortune is often found in Reason’s train.” Montaigne, Essays For years, I’ve been stuck. I haven’t been able to make much progress in my estimation of the relative merits of Stoicism and tragedy. One of the goals of Stoicism is to immunize the practicing Stoic against luck (tuche). Since external goods are beyond his…
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Philosophy as the art of consolation
When you hear the word “philosophy,” what comes to mind? Doubting everything? Useless exchanges that seem to go nowhere? Theoretical investigations of topics divorced from the business of everyday life? These ideas have been around for ages, but the one that Romans and Greeks found most appealing is also the one that’s long been out of circulation. It’s…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 