Philosophy | Penn Today

A group of people, some sitting on a bench, some standing, looking at something offscreen, with paintings on yellow walls in the background.

One hour, one painting: A Barnes visit reveals clues about how the brain processes visual cues

The exercise is one part of a two-week mindCORE summer workshop aimed at underrepresented undergrads across the country. This year’s program focused on language science and technology, and minds in the world.

Anita Allen, Daniel Rader, and Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Three from Penn elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Vice Provost for Faculty Anita Allen of the Law School and the School of Arts and Sciences, Daniel Rader of the Perelman School of Medicine, and Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein of Perry World House join a group recognized for their world-class leadership and expertise.

Pint-size philosophers

By engaging with Philadelphia elementary students and high school teachers, Penn professor Karen Detlefsen is opening young minds to a new kind of philosophical thinking.

Spencer named Robert S. Blank Presidential Professor

Quayshawn Spencer, an associate professor of philosophy, has been named the Robert S. Blank Presidential Associate Professor of Philosophy.

Christian Science Monitor

Grab your moral compass: ‘The Good Place’ takes philosophy mainstream

Errol Lord of the School of Arts and Sciences offered commentary on the Emmy-nominated series “The Good Place,” which regularly grapples with ethical issues. “I don’t think there has ever been a network sitcom that talks about philosophers in this way,” said Lord.

Inside Higher Ed

7 hours a week on existential despair

In a uniquely reflective course taught by Justin McDaniel of the School of Arts and Sciences, students meet weekly to read an entire book cover to cover and then discuss. Noting the quality of the resulting discourse, McDaniel said, “it’s the best conversation I’ve ever had in a classroom.”

Fish near Santiago Island, Galápagos (©Walter Perez)

The iconic species of the Galápagos, in photos

A new book co-authored by Michael Weisberg and a naturalist guide from the Galápagos reveals unseen behaviors of some of the islands’ best-known animals.

Q&A

Talking philosophy, privacy, and race with Anita Allen

On July 1, the Vice Provost and professor of Law and Philosophy became the first female African-American president of the American Philosophical Association’s Eastern Division.

The New York Times

The Pain and Promise of Black Women in Philosophy

Anita Allen of the Law School was interviewed about the obstacles black women encounter in the predominately white male field of philosophy. “My vision is for a more inclusive, self-aware and publicly engaged profession whose leaders serve as strong ambassadors for our vital share of the humanities,” said Allen.

William Fontaine poses for an picture, which is in black and white.

For the Record: William Fontaine

In 1963, the philosophy scholar became Penn’s first Black tenured faculty member.

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