New Books in Philosophy

Ladelle McWhorter, a thought-provoking author and philosopher, dives into her groundbreaking book exploring the concept of personhood. She discusses how modern interpretations of personhood have roots in historical and philosophical shifts, particularly during the early modern period. McWhorter emphasizes the role of personhood in injustices like slavery and corporate dominance. She advocates for 'active belonging' as a way to redefine relationships and move beyond traditional notions of ownership, suggesting a more communal and responsive approach to life.

Until recently, no one could access the detailed contents of your mind directly the way only you can. This level of protection of our mental data was guaranteed by the way we are built biologically – and it can no longer be taken for granted. In Cyborg Rights: Extending Cognition, Ethics, and the Law (Routledge, 2025) S. Orestis Palermos considers the ethical and legal implications of the extended mind thesis – the idea that information-processing technologies are not merely tools but literal parts of our minds. While this thesis remains controversial, there is little doubt that technological devices can push information that coheres in an integrated way with your thoughts – for example, when your phone presents photographs of last year’s holiday on today’s anniversary. Such mind extensions create new vulnerabilities to invasions of mental privacy, freedom of thought, and protection from personal assault. Palermos, who is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Ioannina, articulates these new problems and explores what levels of protection we should adopt in the face of them, up to the point of making it technologically impossible to access or manipulate your extended mental contents.  S. Orestis Palermos is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at University of Ioannina, in Greece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy

Armin W. Schulz, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kansas, combines evolutionary biology with social sciences in a compelling discussion. He introduces presentist social functionalism, focusing on how social institutions function in contemporary society, rather than through their historical context. Schulz analyzes the debate between shareholder and stakeholder models of corporations, reframes institutional corruption, and examines internal conflicts in collective agents. His insights challenge traditional views and emphasize the importance of social norms and structures.

Catherine Malabou, a Professor of Philosophy at UC Irvine known for her work in continental philosophy and political thought, dives deep into anarchism. She explores why philosophers shy away from identifying as anarchists despite acknowledging its insights. Malabou connects plasticity and anarchist literature, critiques Aristotle's governance ideas, and promotes self-governance. The discussion also delves into individuality within communities and the transformative potential of anarchism in contemporary society, challenging fears associated with chaos.

Frances Egan, an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University, dives deep into her groundbreaking work, "Deflating Mental Representation." She challenges conventional views on mental representation by advocating for a naturalistic approach that prioritizes neural mechanisms over abstract constructs. Egan critiques traditional theories of intentionality and highlights the complexities of linking mental states to cognitive processes. Her insights promise to reshape how we understand thoughts, the mind, and even the implications for AI and non-human animals.

What are dominant narratives of mixed race identity? What are those narratives doing, in everyday life and within philosophical discourse? How can attending to the narratives and actions of people who identify as mixed race not just interrupt these dominant narratives, but change our understandings of ancestry, race, sexuality, and much more? In Critical Mixed Race Philosophy: Rethinking Kinship and Identity (Lexington Books, 2025), Sabrina L. Hom tackles these questions to argue for the view that many mixed race people have taken up their positioning within and between racial groups in critical and transformative ways. If we disrupt the dominant tropes of objectifying mixed race people, Hom shows us, to attend to what they say and do, we can find a critical standpoint that adds much to our thinking about and collective action in regards to kinship, embodiment, and identity. Sabrina L. Hom is associate professor of philosophy and affiliate faculty of women's and gender studies at Georgia College and State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy

Şerife Tekin, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at SUNY Upstate Medical University, explores the intersection of personal narratives and psychiatry. She challenges the traditional disorder-label approach, advocating for the Multitudinous Self (MuSe) model, which puts patients' self-stories at the forefront of treatment. Tekin discusses the complexities of identity, especially regarding schizophrenia, and critiques the limitations of current diagnostic frameworks. She also delves into social media's impact on self-perception and the role of AI in modern psychiatric practices.

Uljana Feest, a philosophy professor at Leibniz University in Germany, delves into the fascinating world of operationalism in psychology. She discusses how this framework connects psychological concepts with experimental designs, shedding light on the complexities of defining psychological phenomena like memory. Feest also reflects on her academic journey, highlighting the challenges of operational definitions and the impact of folk psychology on scientific inquiry. The conversation touches on the replication crisis, advocating for enhanced methodologies in the field.

Talia Mae Bettcher, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Albany, engages in a thought-provoking discussion on trans philosophy and identity. She explores the connections between transphobia, sexism, and racism through a decolonial lens, emphasizing the importance of appearance in gender dysphoria. Bettcher introduces her concept of interpersonal spatiality to analyze intimacy and challenge traditional binaries in gender. She critiques contemporary philosophical practices that oversimplify identities and advocates for inclusive understandings of trans experiences.

Ryan M. Nefdt, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, delves into the intriguing intersections of linguistic theory and philosophy. He examines the 'Goldilocks zone' where syntax, semantics, and pragmatics overlap. Nefdt discusses how context shapes meaning, the evolution of language through a systems biolinguistics lens, and the distinctions between abstract language and specific tongues. He also highlights the interplay between language, thought, and computational models, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of human communication.