"Agora" Series

A new column series in The New Statesman (UK) seeks to drag philosophy out of the ivory tower and into the marketplace of ideas. From the inaugural article's lede,

According to one founding myth, philosophy begins with an obstreperous old man being put to death for pestering his fellow citizens about the nature of justice and courage and other such virtues. Needless to say, execution is hardly an auspicious way to start a new academic discipline. But Socrates’ death, his characteristic doubt, and his tireless attempt to engage Athenians in dialogue tells us a great deal about the essence of human understanding.