I have been thinking about the political significance of the rise of image culture and its effects on politics.
And it struck me, is a politician disadvantaged for being 'bald'? There is a famous anecdote about the British politican Micheal Heseltine that claims that a 'signifcant percentage' of his constituents voted for him because he had 'a great head of hair'!!
Add this to the fact that Blair, with a full head of hair, beat three bald Tory leaders and you can see that Cameron might be in trouble. At the moment Cameron is as visually strong as Miliband (and sounds much better, as he is intonationally and rhetorically superior to Miliband). But he may be in trouble on the hair front - and here Miliband clearly has the advantage.
Might baldness decide the next election?
Neil
Monday, 10 January 2011
Monday, 20 December 2010
Philosophy and Popular Culture
The last post made me think about the relationship between philosophy and popular political culture today.
Clearly, most western societies are societies implicitly goverened by what might be termed 'market populism'. This is a populism based around the values of consumption and the habits associated with 'materialist acquisition'.
To date, philosophical discourse has been rather bad at challenging the hegemony of these values and habits. The question for me here is twofold. Firstly, should philosophy adapt to this cultural reality or should it attempt to challenge it? Given the outcome of this choice, how should philosophy achieve its ends?
Cheers
Neil
Clearly, most western societies are societies implicitly goverened by what might be termed 'market populism'. This is a populism based around the values of consumption and the habits associated with 'materialist acquisition'.
To date, philosophical discourse has been rather bad at challenging the hegemony of these values and habits. The question for me here is twofold. Firstly, should philosophy adapt to this cultural reality or should it attempt to challenge it? Given the outcome of this choice, how should philosophy achieve its ends?
Cheers
Neil
Friday, 10 December 2010
Tuition Fees - Recent Demonstrations
Hi all
Given the publicity given to the recent student demonstrations I think that we probably need to address some of the wider philosophical and political issues associated with these events.
Please keep the conversation civil!
The real issue for me here isn't really about education at all - rather, the transfer of debts accrued by one generation onto another.
Therefore, it is important not to get too bogged down in the minutiae of the policy dimensions of the debate - for example, about the whether the university teaching grant was cut too much, or whether something else might have been cut instead. The question is why the cuts have had to be made at all and who we call to account for this.
In this way, we must feel some sympathy for the next generation of students - a generation that is likely to be somewhat less affluent and have fewer opportunities than than the one preceeding it.
However, it is less easy to feel sorry for the majority of demonstrating students in narrow political terms. Most voted liberal democrat at the last election (alongside a number of academic staff, it must be said) and so politically these students have, in a sense, 'got what they deserved'.
This phenomenon - to vote lib dem as an expression of 'disaffected radicalism' - began in 2005; when a numerous students and academic staff voted lib dem as a protest against the Iraq war. This significantly reduced the labour majority and put the Tories within striking distance of government. This trend was repeated in 2010 - giving us in the end the new Tory-Lib dem coalition.
Why did this happen? Self interest? A loose concern with 'lib demish' humanitarian issues such a 'ecology' etc?. Perhaps a combination - I don't think that we can dismiss this phenomenon as simply a symptom of intellectual confusion and/or self-preoccupation. The best explanation for me is that it simply became 'fashionable' to do so.....
Overall, this is a hard lesson in economic and political realities for a new generation of people depolicitised by markets and distracted by the media.
Welcome to the real world!
Neil
Given the publicity given to the recent student demonstrations I think that we probably need to address some of the wider philosophical and political issues associated with these events.
Please keep the conversation civil!
The real issue for me here isn't really about education at all - rather, the transfer of debts accrued by one generation onto another.
Therefore, it is important not to get too bogged down in the minutiae of the policy dimensions of the debate - for example, about the whether the university teaching grant was cut too much, or whether something else might have been cut instead. The question is why the cuts have had to be made at all and who we call to account for this.
In this way, we must feel some sympathy for the next generation of students - a generation that is likely to be somewhat less affluent and have fewer opportunities than than the one preceeding it.
However, it is less easy to feel sorry for the majority of demonstrating students in narrow political terms. Most voted liberal democrat at the last election (alongside a number of academic staff, it must be said) and so politically these students have, in a sense, 'got what they deserved'.
This phenomenon - to vote lib dem as an expression of 'disaffected radicalism' - began in 2005; when a numerous students and academic staff voted lib dem as a protest against the Iraq war. This significantly reduced the labour majority and put the Tories within striking distance of government. This trend was repeated in 2010 - giving us in the end the new Tory-Lib dem coalition.
Why did this happen? Self interest? A loose concern with 'lib demish' humanitarian issues such a 'ecology' etc?. Perhaps a combination - I don't think that we can dismiss this phenomenon as simply a symptom of intellectual confusion and/or self-preoccupation. The best explanation for me is that it simply became 'fashionable' to do so.....
Overall, this is a hard lesson in economic and political realities for a new generation of people depolicitised by markets and distracted by the media.
Welcome to the real world!
Neil
Thursday, 9 December 2010
The Infinite Monkey Cage
See below for a recommendation from Rob Humphries (final year Philosophy student:
The radio 4 show The infinite monkey cage has broken from it's usual scientific subject matter to deliver a show on philosophy
(LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wdfd4/The_Infinite_Monkey_Cage_Series_3_Philosophy/)
Always nice to see a popular rationalist hero (in this case Dr. Brian Cox) get grilled by a philosopher or two. I think Julian Baginni is on the panel.
The radio 4 show The infinite monkey cage has broken from it's usual scientific subject matter to deliver a show on philosophy
(LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wdfd4/The_Infinite_Monkey_Cage_Series_3_Philosophy/)
Always nice to see a popular rationalist hero (in this case Dr. Brian Cox) get grilled by a philosopher or two. I think Julian Baginni is on the panel.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Philosophy Society: next meeting Thursday 9th December; details below
The Trent Philosophy Society will be entering its third year this term. Last year we had a number of nocturnal socials and events (namely film viewings and discussions). We hope to expand the scope of the Phil Soc this year and the society organisers will be meeting soon to discuss the range of possible events, from debates and lectures to reading groups, outings to essay competitions. We also hope to obtain Student Union recognition this year pending a sizable increase in attendance and membership from last year. (Union Affiliation will cost a couple of pounds per year but would greatly increase our ability to organise more ambitious events).
If anyone is interested in joining please email either Mark Crane (N0286133) or Stephen Gidlow (N0236892)
If anyone is interested in joining please email either Mark Crane (N0286133) or Stephen Gidlow (N0236892)
Staff Student Seminar
NTU Philosophy Staff and Student Seminar Series 2010/2011
“Foundations of Contemporary Environmental Ethics in 19th and 20th Century Western Thought: From Emerson’s and Thoreau’s Transcendentalism to Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic”
By Ugur M. Parlar, MA
Date: January 12, 2011, Wednesday
Place: George Elliott Building
ICAN Room 215
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Summary
This 2 hours long seminar lecture introduces key American Philosophers who signalled the foundations of environmental ethics in Western thought. We shall discuss New England Transcendentalists Emerson’s and Thoreau’s letters and move to Aldo Leopold’s ethical philosophy pertaining to the natural world.
It is also an opportunity to discuss current ecological and ethical problems, and thus the place of mankind on this planet.
Key Questions
What is an environmental ethic? How does it emerge?
Where does the notion of transcendentalism come from?
What is the meaning of “economy” in Thoreau?
How could a harmonious existence alongside natural world be possible?
ALL WELCOME ! – You can RSVP the event on Facebook (search “American Philosophers and the Foundations of Environmental Ethics Seminar”)
“Foundations of Contemporary Environmental Ethics in 19th and 20th Century Western Thought: From Emerson’s and Thoreau’s Transcendentalism to Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic”
By Ugur M. Parlar, MA
Date: January 12, 2011, Wednesday
Place: George Elliott Building
ICAN Room 215
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Summary
This 2 hours long seminar lecture introduces key American Philosophers who signalled the foundations of environmental ethics in Western thought. We shall discuss New England Transcendentalists Emerson’s and Thoreau’s letters and move to Aldo Leopold’s ethical philosophy pertaining to the natural world.
It is also an opportunity to discuss current ecological and ethical problems, and thus the place of mankind on this planet.
Key Questions
What is an environmental ethic? How does it emerge?
Where does the notion of transcendentalism come from?
What is the meaning of “economy” in Thoreau?
How could a harmonious existence alongside natural world be possible?
ALL WELCOME ! – You can RSVP the event on Facebook (search “American Philosophers and the Foundations of Environmental Ethics Seminar”)
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Thursday 9th December: Philosophy Society meeting
The Philosophy Society (President: Mark Crane) will be meeting again on Thursday 9th December at 6pm in GEE004 LT1.
Please go along and support your Society!
Cheers
Ruth
Please go along and support your Society!
Cheers
Ruth
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