Philosophy & Religion

"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." — Lorraine Hansberry

Remaining Rogue: On Andrew S. Curran’s “Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely”
Robert Zaretsky ponders “Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely” by Andrew S. Curran.
Robert ZaretskyMar 1, 2019
Attached to the Party of Humanity: On Robert Zaretsky’s “Catherine & Diderot”
Douglas Smith explores “Catherine & Diderot,” a “scintillating, sophisticated, and nuanced” book by Robert Zaretsky.
Douglas SmithMar 1, 2019
- History
- Philosophy & Religion
The Philosophy of Creative Writing
Joseph Darda explores the confluence of new humanist philosophy and the rise of the creative writing MFA.
Joseph DardaFeb 25, 2019
A Genius for Being Human
Aurelian Craiutu reviews Henry Hardy's "In Search of Isaiah Berlin: A Literary Adventure."
Aurelian CraiutuFeb 19, 2019
Serendipity: A Conversation Between Sven Birkerts and Christopher Benfey
Sven Birkerts and Christopher Benfey discuss art, awareness, and the operations of chance.
Christopher Benfey, Sven BirkertsFeb 18, 2019
- Memoir & Essay
- Philosophy & Religion
Populism, Democracy, and Neofascism: Two Essays
LARB presents two recent essays by Jean-Luc Nancy, translated from the French by Sarah Clift.
Jean-Luc NancyFeb 17, 2019
What Democracy Looks Like
An interview with Astra Taylor about her new movie, "What Is Democracy?"
Thea RiofrancosFeb 15, 2019
Posthumanism for Regular Humans Trapped in an Inhuman World: On “The Human Reimagined”
Aaron Winslow is stimulated by “The Human Reimagined: Posthumanism in Russia,” an “essential volume” edited by Colleen McQuillen and Julia Vaingurt.
Aaron WinslowFeb 12, 2019
The Limits of Political Morality
"Kennedy and King" reduces morality to obvious indignity, emotion to family life, and everything else to politics. In the end, everything is politics.
Vincent LloydFeb 10, 2019
A (Not So) Secular Saint
A new biography details the religious life of a liberal icon.
James K. A. SmithFeb 6, 2019
Vanity of Vanities
John Kaag contemplates John T. Lysaker's "Philosophy, Writing, and the Character of Thought."
John KaagJan 28, 2019
- Philosophy & Religion
Socialism and Freedom: Karl Polanyi’s Early Writings
Steven Klein reviews a new collection of Karl Polanyi's early writings.
Steven KleinJan 25, 2019