You’ve created such a sacred space where people feel safe to explore new ideas and push against convention. That’s such a rare and generous gift especially for us misfits who’ve known what it is to be outcasted.
I’m genuinely so stoked you’re pursuing philosophy. It’s become such a dry, scorched field and it desperately needs you to give it some soul. Are you going back to school for it or diving into a deep independent study?
You are going to make me cry. I am doing an independent study, and I think we've been thinking of philosophy as reading a bunch of people who were often retroactively categorized as such. I view philosophy as the pursuit of truth and the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines to achieve a shared understanding of reality and the human experience. I'm fairly certain that many people think I'm being arrogant and presumptuous when I call myself a philosopher, but philosophy translates to "love of knowledge." It doesn't necessarily mean the study of specific works or methods. But philosophy requires logical reasoning and resisting lazy fallacies. For example, I don't think feminist philosophy is truly philosophy because it draws a priori conclusions about knowledge and reality that one must accept. It's an ideology rather than a method to reach the truth. I believe there are truths that we can arrive at; not everything is subjective and discursively determined, which is what deconstructionists and postmodernists generally claim. There are universal moral principles we can land on, namely, the four virtues. Chasing those legit changed my life.
I very much agree with your approach and have been doing similar independent studies as well. A collection of knowledge means nothing unless it’s been transcended by virtue. That’s why so much of philosophy and discourse feels like an emperor without clothes. Like you said, it’s built on an appeal to authority, endlessly quoting “the great thinkers of history” while forgetting they were just people, not gods. That’s what led me to start writing about Descartes. Once you trace the roots of conventional worldviews back to their source, the whole structure begins to unravel.
I can’t wait to see what knowledge you transcend next! Knowing you, it’s going to be brilliant.
I honestly look forward to your writings every weekend, because they are original and have a thought process around it. The points you make are bold, last week the article on American Indians and hinduism was deep and well thought through. Cheers to you
I am officially getting you to write my 200th post in two weeks. Everything from "Philosophers in the pre-Internet age ..." could be the thank you I want to offer my readers. I feel seen! I think this speaks to the quality of community that gathers here on Substack, and the intellectual rigor of the readers in your circle, Anuradha. Happy 38th visit around the sun. And here is to many more writings from you.
Yeah, I have had that experience too, where it is easier to start a more open dynamic in a new friendship than to change the entrenched dynamic of an established friendship. Happy birthday!
Happiest of birthdays, Anuradha! I've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of your thinking and your growing boldness in publishing your ideas, even when some may sound subversive to those still loyal to progressive ideologies and movements. Your honest reflections, humble stance, and gentle fierceness in engagement make me look forward to every new piece, even if I don’t always comment. You are truly a writer-philosopher to watch, and I’m glad you’ve connected with people who genuinely understand, encourage, and support you.
It’s disappointing when longtime friends can’t share in your interests or make the effort to truly see you. I hope your continued success opens more doors to deep, reciprocal, and meaningful friendships that inspire your many gifts, blessings, and most importantly, you, to flourish.
I always appreciate our conversations through this medium, and you’ve had a large impact on my thinking too. You’ve helped me also see that I’m not crazy, which is a true gift.
"I’m pursuing philosophy, something I was too scared to admit to doing until recently. We think of philosophers as academics with PhDs, which I don’t have."
How many great philosophers had academic degrees? How many great artists had an MFA? Did Beethoven (or Krishna) ever finish his thesis?
Psychology - it’s not super scientific but when it comes to conclusions based on our everyday pattern recognition, people are often hostile to relying on our own eyes and demand citations of gated studies for every conclusion.
Thank YOU Anuradha, for observing, processing and thinking deeply about feminism with a clear head and conscience. We've gone off the rails by blaming men. We need each other.
In many cases, the loss of deeper connection and understanding is due to physical relocation. Yes, we 'keep in touch' by social media but no longer live in the same hood and spend time together. We may not break off our relationship (ouch!) but it becomes more polite without the 'iron sharpening iron' that wisdom would have us perform.
Yes this is a great point. It took me a looooong time to establish friendships in Austin and with each passing year I feel myself growing distant from people who live elsewhere. I don’t think sending each other memes is meaningful so I don’t do it, and we have too many inboxes. Even the occasional phone conversation leaves me dissatisfied. And I appreciate the phrase “iron sharpening iron”; reminds me of the Aristotelian sense of friendship.
I don't often engage, but I'm a regular reader and big fan of RP. Many of your ideas, spicy as they are in this day and age (!), resonate deeply. Here's to many more. Thank YOU – and happy belated!
You’ve created such a sacred space where people feel safe to explore new ideas and push against convention. That’s such a rare and generous gift especially for us misfits who’ve known what it is to be outcasted.
I’m genuinely so stoked you’re pursuing philosophy. It’s become such a dry, scorched field and it desperately needs you to give it some soul. Are you going back to school for it or diving into a deep independent study?
You are going to make me cry. I am doing an independent study, and I think we've been thinking of philosophy as reading a bunch of people who were often retroactively categorized as such. I view philosophy as the pursuit of truth and the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines to achieve a shared understanding of reality and the human experience. I'm fairly certain that many people think I'm being arrogant and presumptuous when I call myself a philosopher, but philosophy translates to "love of knowledge." It doesn't necessarily mean the study of specific works or methods. But philosophy requires logical reasoning and resisting lazy fallacies. For example, I don't think feminist philosophy is truly philosophy because it draws a priori conclusions about knowledge and reality that one must accept. It's an ideology rather than a method to reach the truth. I believe there are truths that we can arrive at; not everything is subjective and discursively determined, which is what deconstructionists and postmodernists generally claim. There are universal moral principles we can land on, namely, the four virtues. Chasing those legit changed my life.
I very much agree with your approach and have been doing similar independent studies as well. A collection of knowledge means nothing unless it’s been transcended by virtue. That’s why so much of philosophy and discourse feels like an emperor without clothes. Like you said, it’s built on an appeal to authority, endlessly quoting “the great thinkers of history” while forgetting they were just people, not gods. That’s what led me to start writing about Descartes. Once you trace the roots of conventional worldviews back to their source, the whole structure begins to unravel.
I can’t wait to see what knowledge you transcend next! Knowing you, it’s going to be brilliant.
Any writer that makes me think, and expands my horizons is doing a great job. Keep it up!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, your grounded point of view helps make sense of a lot of things that hit close to home for me.
I appreciate knowing this and thank you for your longtime support!
I’ve had a similar experience recently, too, meeting with friends but unable to traverse the details of what’s I’ve written publicly on this platform
Meaning they didn’t read what you wrote?
I mean just not getting into the things I write. Just different worlds in person and online.
I honestly look forward to your writings every weekend, because they are original and have a thought process around it. The points you make are bold, last week the article on American Indians and hinduism was deep and well thought through. Cheers to you
I means a lot that you come back Joyoti; more than I can express
Thank you for sharing so many of your thoughts with us, Anuradha. Your writing is always a delight to read.
https://open.substack.com/pub/williehayes/p/scotus-ruling-could-freeze-trillions?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=dyanm&utm_medium=ios. Here's one to check out;
Cheering you on. Glad to have found your writing and enjoy interacting with you! Keep going. ✨✨✨
Thank you for being here Shelly!
Your thoughtful writing has given me hope, made me feel seen and not alone, challenged me, and, I think most importantly made me think more.
It also helps me, as I am in a similar boat: the only one in my circle who changed their mind.
I am so glad that you are here and that I could help you be seen. Those of us who change our minds are few in number and need each other.
I am officially getting you to write my 200th post in two weeks. Everything from "Philosophers in the pre-Internet age ..." could be the thank you I want to offer my readers. I feel seen! I think this speaks to the quality of community that gathers here on Substack, and the intellectual rigor of the readers in your circle, Anuradha. Happy 38th visit around the sun. And here is to many more writings from you.
Thank you so much Karena! I appreciate that we met this year and how thoughtful you have been over our many courses together.
Yeah, I have had that experience too, where it is easier to start a more open dynamic in a new friendship than to change the entrenched dynamic of an established friendship. Happy birthday!
Thanks Eva! This is the first year I’ve had the strength to name it out loud thanks to people like you.
Happiest of birthdays, Anuradha! I've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of your thinking and your growing boldness in publishing your ideas, even when some may sound subversive to those still loyal to progressive ideologies and movements. Your honest reflections, humble stance, and gentle fierceness in engagement make me look forward to every new piece, even if I don’t always comment. You are truly a writer-philosopher to watch, and I’m glad you’ve connected with people who genuinely understand, encourage, and support you.
It’s disappointing when longtime friends can’t share in your interests or make the effort to truly see you. I hope your continued success opens more doors to deep, reciprocal, and meaningful friendships that inspire your many gifts, blessings, and most importantly, you, to flourish.
I always appreciate our conversations through this medium, and you’ve had a large impact on my thinking too. You’ve helped me also see that I’m not crazy, which is a true gift.
This is a huge compliment. And, congrats on your feistiest, fiercest, sharpest piece being included on Rob Henderson's recommendations this week!
"I’m pursuing philosophy, something I was too scared to admit to doing until recently. We think of philosophers as academics with PhDs, which I don’t have."
How many great philosophers had academic degrees? How many great artists had an MFA? Did Beethoven (or Krishna) ever finish his thesis?
Anyway, roll steady and Many Years+ to you.
A great point, thanks for the reminder. True philosophers didn’t have degrees. We’ve done the discipline a disservice through credentialism.
It ain't just philosophy. Axtually, anything outside the sciences.
Even some of the sciences. I’ve noticed that even the “heterodox” publications hew to a certain type of writer.
Interesting. Examples?
Psychology - it’s not super scientific but when it comes to conclusions based on our everyday pattern recognition, people are often hostile to relying on our own eyes and demand citations of gated studies for every conclusion.
As the founder of the well-being laboratory and a professor for 21 years I endorse the statement of yours
SOURCE??!!!!???
Yeah, that's sort of my point. Scientific discoveries do seem to be tied to the academic establishment.
Arts and humanities, not so much.
Thank YOU Anuradha, for observing, processing and thinking deeply about feminism with a clear head and conscience. We've gone off the rails by blaming men. We need each other.
We do need each other, and I wish the social contract could be repaired.
In many cases, the loss of deeper connection and understanding is due to physical relocation. Yes, we 'keep in touch' by social media but no longer live in the same hood and spend time together. We may not break off our relationship (ouch!) but it becomes more polite without the 'iron sharpening iron' that wisdom would have us perform.
Yes this is a great point. It took me a looooong time to establish friendships in Austin and with each passing year I feel myself growing distant from people who live elsewhere. I don’t think sending each other memes is meaningful so I don’t do it, and we have too many inboxes. Even the occasional phone conversation leaves me dissatisfied. And I appreciate the phrase “iron sharpening iron”; reminds me of the Aristotelian sense of friendship.
I don't often engage, but I'm a regular reader and big fan of RP. Many of your ideas, spicy as they are in this day and age (!), resonate deeply. Here's to many more. Thank YOU – and happy belated!
I really appreciate hearing from you :) and thank you