# Latest **URL:** https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/latest.md [Latest](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/tags.md) --- ## [What Counts as AI-Generated Content on TPF](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/what-counts-as-ai-generated-content-on-tpf/617)
**Author:** [@Jamal](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Jamal)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 11:30am UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/what-counts-as-ai-generated-content-on-tpf/617 "2026-08-29T11:30:39Z")
The guidelines on the use of AI are as follows: Posts that appear to be substantially generated by AI may be removed at moderator discretion. This is lacking in details, so clarification is in order: \[!Important\] … --- ## [Welcome to The Philosophy Forum 👋](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/welcome-to-the-philosophy-forum/29)
**Author:** [@Jamal](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Jamal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/welcome-to-the-philosophy-forum/29 "2025-11-14T21:00:00Z")
Welcome to TPF! Here are some things you can do to get started: Read the Guidelines Before replying or starting new topics, please read the Community Guidelines, even if you’re a long-time member of TPF. The core princi… --- ## [Does that which is mental actually exist?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/does-that-which-is-mental-actually-exist/3156)
**Author:** [@PatternChaser](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/PatternChaser)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/does-that-which-is-mental-actually-exist/3156 "2026-09-25T23:33:42Z")
In this forum, I’ve encountered a thread of belief that I haven’t seen before. Some commentators seem to believe that the physical, but not the mental, has actual existence. They almost dismiss thoughts or thinking with … --- ## [Best Guess Yet: Humans Can’t Own the T](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/best-guess-yet-humans-can-t-own-the-t/3164)
**Author:** [@BestGuessYet](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/BestGuessYet)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/best-guess-yet-humans-can-t-own-the-t/3164 "2026-09-25T23:15:02Z")
There is an apparent reality outside of me. That is my best guess, which in casual conversation, I call my knowing. I know this apparent reality exists because it has been apparently beating me about the head for many y… --- ## [Take #3: The hard problem of appreciating physical reality](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/take-3-the-hard-problem-of-appreciating-physical-reality/3230)
**Author:** [@Citizenschallenge](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Citizenschallenge)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/take-3-the-hard-problem-of-appreciating-physical-reality/3230 "2026-09-25T23:01:32Z")
I had intended on overriding my “Take Two” essay, but there’s too much of a difference and in considering of some comments over there, I’d just as soon start fresh - there’s been a lot of work with some amazing discovers… --- ## [A Case for Fundamental Intelligence](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/a-case-for-fundamental-intelligence/3180)
**Author:** [@Sam26](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Sam26)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/a-case-for-fundamental-intelligence/3180 "2026-09-25T22:57:37Z")
This is the 3rd version of the argument I’ve posted. The central claim hasn’t changed, but further considerations have helped me clarify the reason for preferring a rational, mind-like foundation and what the limits of t… --- ## [The Problem Of Metaphysics](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-problem-of-metaphysics/3207)
**Author:** [@SmilesFromHere](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/SmilesFromHere)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-problem-of-metaphysics/3207 "2026-09-25T22:49:16Z")
The problem of metaphysics starts definitionally. The implication of a metaphysical component interacting with reality implies it leaves a physical trace. For example many people believe that temperature is an emergent p… --- ## [True or False?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/true-or-false/3245)
**Author:** [@WhoKnows](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/WhoKnows)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/true-or-false/3245 "2026-09-25T22:41:51Z")
There is no objective which is real without the subjective declaring such --- ## [The definition of "choose"](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-definition-of-choose/3120)
**Author:** [@Syamsu](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Syamsu)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-definition-of-choose/3120 "2026-09-25T22:10:25Z")
My experience is, about 90 percent of the content of philosophy revolves around the definition of choosing. The free will arguments, but also the materialism, and God arguments etc. It helps a lot to have a very exacting… --- ## [Why Philosophy Converges on the Hard Problem](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/why-philosophy-converges-on-the-hard-problem/3158)
**Author:** [@WhoKnows](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/WhoKnows)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/why-philosophy-converges-on-the-hard-problem/3158 "2026-09-25T22:02:14Z")
Metaphysics asks what is real. Eventually it arrives at the question of the nature of the reality that includes experience. Epistemology asks how we know. Eventually it arrives at the question of who or what is the know… --- ## [What is Art? How do you define it?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/what-is-art-how-do-you-define-it/58)
**Author:** [@questioner](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/questioner)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/what-is-art-how-do-you-define-it/58 "2026-09-25T21:44:48Z")
What is Art? I became especially interested in this question after reading Leo Tolstoy’s What is Art? He put aside the notion that art was related to beauty, instead insisting that true art must be infectious – that art… --- ## [Are we engaged in a new arms race?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/are-we-engaged-in-a-new-arms-race/3231)
**Author:** [@Punshhh](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Punshhh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 9:07pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/are-we-engaged-in-a-new-arms-race/3231 "2026-09-25T21:07:54Z")
There has been a marked increase in security, war, existential threat, related news stories recently. It seems that every day a new story breaks through on to the front pages. Stories which a few years ago would have bee… --- ## [One Reality, Many Levels of Awareness](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/one-reality-many-levels-of-awareness/3208)
**Author:** [@LordKing777](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/LordKing777)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/one-reality-many-levels-of-awareness/3208 "2026-09-25T20:57:34Z")
There’s an interesting idea in my mind that we all live in the same reality, but we don’t necessarily experience it at the same level of consciousness or awareness. Some people have a much poorer grasp of what’s happenin… --- ## [On generic failures found in arguments for the existence of god](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/on-generic-failures-found-in-arguments-for-the-existence-of-god/2577)
**Author:** [@Banno](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Banno)\ **Replies:** 725\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/on-generic-failures-found-in-arguments-for-the-existence-of-god/2577 "2026-09-25T20:27:06Z")
Arguments of one sort or another, for the existence of God, of one sort or another, are a commonplace. There are common errors to be found in them that might be worth putting in one place. We might also develop a fairly … --- ## [Is Jennifer Aniston Real?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-jennifer-aniston-real/3214)
**Author:** [@Johnnywas](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Johnnywas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-jennifer-aniston-real/3214 "2026-09-25T20:12:04Z")
Of course she is. She is an American actor who played Rachel in Friends. But there is another Jennifer Aniston: the Jennifer Aniston represented in my pattern of neural activity through which I recognize, remember and i… --- ## [A Defense of Free Will for Logical Determinists](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/a-defense-of-free-will-for-logical-determinists/2704)
**Author:** [@TheUnfallacious](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/TheUnfallacious)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/a-defense-of-free-will-for-logical-determinists/2704 "2026-09-25T17:48:28Z")
The goal of this essay is to reduce the opinion that a guaranteed knowable future makes it impossible for free will to exist. The argument runs close ties with Libertarian Free Will (LFW). First, my personal definitions… --- ## [Nagel’s “The Core of ‘Mind and Cosmos’" through an Earth Centrist lens](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/nagel-s-the-core-of-mind-and-cosmos-through-an-earth-centrist-lens/2080)
**Author:** [@Citizenschallenge](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Citizenschallenge)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/nagel-s-the-core-of-mind-and-cosmos-through-an-earth-centrist-lens/2080 "2026-09-25T17:36:30Z")
Cc: In order to critique Thomas Nagel’s 2013 essay, “The Core of ‘Mind and Cosmos’” which has been part of a public dialogue for thirteen years. I claim fair use in reposting the entire 900 word essay, leaving Nagel’s… --- ## [Why Physicalism Entails Panpsychism. by Galen Strawson](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/why-physicalism-entails-panpsychism-by-galen-strawson/3070)
**Author:** [@Citizenschallenge](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Citizenschallenge)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/why-physicalism-entails-panpsychism-by-galen-strawson/3070 "2026-09-25T17:17:08Z")
My project is a hydra, Zeno’s hydra, no matter how far I travel, I’m still only half way there. Following up on one concept that winds up forcing me onto another. Wish I had that serious organizational skill to track m… --- ## [Humanity is of No Moral Value](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/humanity-is-of-no-moral-value/3184)
**Author:** [@Belial\_1](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Belial_1)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/humanity-is-of-no-moral-value/3184 "2026-09-25T17:04:29Z")
There is an implicit assumption in society and philosophy that humanity ought to be the basis of morality. But why do we believe this? I find no reason to believe that humanity is of any moral value. There are two main… --- ## [Generic failures in arguments against God](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/generic-failures-in-arguments-against-god/2715)
**Author:** [@Scorpion](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Scorpion)\ **Replies:** 410\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/generic-failures-in-arguments-against-god/2715 "2026-09-25T16:39:31Z")
I want to twin this thread with On generic failures found in arguments for the existence of god. Problem of suffering / evil (overreach and under-argued premises) Generic evil arguments often: Target only an omnipoten… --- ## [Thinking About "Dual Descriptions"](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/thinking-about-dual-descriptions/3086)
**Author:** [@Jay](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Jay)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/thinking-about-dual-descriptions/3086 "2026-09-25T16:12:33Z")
I want to look at the broadly Davidsonian idea of “dual descriptions” of mental and physical phenomena, especially the idea that “reason” and “cause” represent different functions of a token-identical item. To do this, I… --- ## [The Hard Problem of Accepting Physical Reality](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-hard-problem-of-accepting-physical-reality/2989)
**Author:** [@Citizenschallenge](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Citizenschallenge)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-hard-problem-of-accepting-physical-reality/2989 "2026-09-25T15:41:54Z")
(Update 9/11) Philosophers challenge us with the Hard Problem of consciousness: “Why does processing feel like anything?” — “Why should physical processing give rise to a rich inner life?” — “Why is any physical state c… --- ## [The Law of Personal Interest, and the Development of Civilization](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-law-of-personal-interest-and-the-development-of-civilization/3221)
**Author:** [@Flying](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Flying)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-law-of-personal-interest-and-the-development-of-civilization/3221 "2026-09-25T15:09:27Z")
Previously, I published a post on the positive role of the law of self-interest in a market economy. In this post, I want to highlight another, much broader sphere of the social process in which, in my view, the aforeme… --- ## [June Reading: "The Death of the Author" by Roland Barthes](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/june-reading-the-death-of-the-author-by-roland-barthes/1163)
**Author:** [@Jamal](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Jamal)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 12:23pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/june-reading-the-death-of-the-author-by-roland-barthes/1163 "2026-09-25T12:23:24Z")
This month we’re reading “The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes. It was first published in English translation in 1967, in the avant-garde journal Aspen, and only published in the original French in 1968, in the jou… --- ## [Currently Reading](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/currently-reading/59)
**Author:** [@Jamal](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Jamal)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 10:12am UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/currently-reading/59 "2026-09-25T10:12:46Z")
I’m currently still reading Pilgrim by Timothy Findley, with a few options for my next book: Fluid Russia: Between the Global and the National in the Post-Soviet Era by Vera Michlin-Shapir. This one looks really inte… --- ## [Is Consciousness an Effect or Something Else?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-consciousness-an-effect-or-something-else/3089)
**Author:** [@BrightCanyon98](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/BrightCanyon98)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 7:18am UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-consciousness-an-effect-or-something-else/3089 "2026-09-25T07:18:52Z")
Most physical phenomena are effects. For example, electromagnetism is a result of electrical current and this generates a magnetic field. If this current is stopped, then the magnetism stops. (Hope I stated that properly… --- ## [I am a Moral Nihilist](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/i-am-a-moral-nihilist/1218)
**Author:** [@Existism](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Existism)\ **Replies:** 792\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/i-am-a-moral-nihilist/1218 "2026-09-25T06:57:40Z")
At this point in my life, I would consider myself a moral nihilist, meaning that I don’t believe there are any objective rights or wrongs. I am religiously agnostic and a physicalist, and so I see no reason why morals wo… --- ## [The Problem of Happiness](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-problem-of-happiness/633)
**Author:** [@Scorpion](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Scorpion)\ **Replies:** 569\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 5:56am UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/the-problem-of-happiness/633 "2026-09-25T05:56:41Z")
There’s the Problem of Suffering. Suffering can be encapsulated in homo homini lupus and landslides (after heavy rain usually) Suffering in the world \\implies God doesn’t exist. Isn’t there a Problem of Happiness? Ha… --- ## [Is anything actually unnatural?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-anything-actually-unnatural/2837)
**Author:** [@Quellcrist](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Quellcrist)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/is-anything-actually-unnatural/2837 "2026-09-24T23:15:22Z")
For most of my life, I thought of humans and human made things as unnatural. And this is a correct definition depending on the source of the definition. However, recently it dawned on me that nature made us, too. We are… --- ## [Does completeness signify a lack of life?](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/does-completeness-signify-a-lack-of-life/3222)
**Author:** [@Astorre](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/u/Astorre)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/t/does-completeness-signify-a-lack-of-life/3222 "2026-09-24T19:03:29Z")
Below is a monologue by the protagonist from the film Stalker (1978, directed by Tarkovsky): “Let what was conceived come to pass. Let them believe. And let them laugh at their passions; for what they call passion is n… [Next page](https://www.thephilosophyforum.com/latest.md?page=1)