The Philosopher

Lore & Background

The Philosopher was established in 1923 to provide a forum for new ideas across the entire range of philosophical topics, in the clearest and plainest language. It was the official publication of the Philosophical Society of England, a charitable organization founded in 1913. The society existed to promote the study of practical philosophy among the general public. The Society, in its original form, ceased to exist in 2014, although its chairman at the time, Michael Bavidge, claimed both its name and assets for his own local group, the 'Newcastle Group'. A series of internal arguments in 2014 led to the publication being split into two formats: an online-only edition led by Martin Cohen, and an initially print-only but soon print-and-online edition originally led by Michael Bavidge. Both publications claim to be direct continuations of The Philosopher prior to the split.

In Their Own Story

The lamplight in the cramped study was the colour of old parchment. The Philosopher sat cross-legged on the floor, a sheaf of notes spread around him like a fallen constellation, and did not look up when the door creaked.

"You want to know if it matters," he said, not a question. "Whether what I've written down in these nine years matters. Whether any of it matters."

He picked up a pen, set it down, picked it up again. Outside, the City of the Unnamed hummed its usual discordant chord—market haggling, a distant bell, the creak of a plane shifting its weight.

"I used to think the answer was the point. That if I could just find the one sentence that made the whole architecture click, I could stop. I could rest." He laughed, thin and dry. "Turns out the architecture doesn't click. It was never meant to. And I am still here, still writing, still not resting."

He finally looked up. His eyes were tired in the way of a man who has read too many books and slept too few nights.

"So. You want to know if it matters? I don't know. But I know I'd rather not know and be wrong than know and be right and bored."

He handed her the pen. "Your turn. Ask me something I can't answer."

Reader's Guide

The online-only edition describes itself as 'a forum for short, original, brilliant and accessible articles'. The print and online edition describes itself as a 'forum for cutting-edge philosophical discussions to take place, prioritizing exciting up-and-coming thinkers as much as well-established leading figures.' The publication is written for the general non-academic public, with a focus on accessibility.

Did You Know?

• The Philosopher's first issue quoted A.S. Rappoport's A Primer of Philosophy (1904).
• Notable historical articles recovered include works by G. K. Chesterton, John Dewey, Erwin Schrödinger, and Moritz Schlick.
• The editors-in-chief have included Ada Sheridan, Martin Cohen, Michael Bavidge, and Anthony Morgan.