Author: Andrew Taggart
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Ivan Illich on friendship as conspiracy
Notes on Illich’s “Cultivation of Conspiracy” Upon receiving the Culture and Peace Prize of Bremen on March 14, 1998, Ivan Illich reflected on the nature of friendship. “You never know,” he told his friends, “what will nurture the spirit of philia, while you can be certain what will stifle it. Spirit emerges by surprise, and…
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On Epicurus’s philosophy of life
The following are some noteworthy quotes from Epicurus (341 – 270 BC), an ancient philosopher who insisted that a noble life consisted of philosophical inquiry, intimate friendship, and the affirmation of moderate pleasure. Epicurus founded a small commune just outside of Athens; it was here that he and his friends sought to become lovers of…
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On Woody Allen’s modern philosophy
The other day I read an interview with Woody Allen. The interviewer’s penultimate question struck me as especially apt. (In the excerpt below, bold = interviewer’s question and regular text = Allen’s reply.) Machado de Assis is credited with inspiring magical realist writers. Judging from the previews, the protagonist of your latest film experiences some magic…
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On the cut-and-thrust of discourse
The cut-and-thrust of discourse: your man, flesh-wounded, on the floor — boys tussling in the basement — dogs growling and gnawing — that fearful symmetry — manliness ferocious, harmful, refined — anger awoken — the ease of mastication — lopping heads clean off — the love of man expressed as war. Oh, Brother, bleed with…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 