Philosophy

Philosophy articles provide deep reflection and analysis on public life, values, ethics, morals, human nature, and the philosophical foundations of liberty, freedom, and society — challenging technocratic trends, institutional failures, and threats to authentic humanity.

We examine critical themes such as AI and totalitarianism, Neuralink-style control, post-pandemic moral recovery, church closures, enlightenment critiques, sovereignty vs. state power, arrogance in governance, and pathways to reclaim personal dignity, truth, and human-centered philosophy.

All philosophy articles from Brownstone Institute are translated into multiple languages to support global readers, foster international dialogue on ethics and liberty, and promote thoughtful reform worldwide.

Flagellantism Is the New Political Ritual 

Flagellantism Is the New Political Ritual 

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It’s not just about eating bugs. It’s about a whole theory and practice of life and salvation itself, a new religion to replace all the old ones. Cough up your government-issued ID, send your package if you must, think twice before complaining about anything on social media, and figure out a way to channel your depression and despair into quiet humble gratitude and acquiescence., Don’t forget to recycle. The flagellants have taken over the world.

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What is the Measure of True Freedom?

What is the Measure of True Freedom?

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The measure of freedom in any society is the degree of inclusion for those who stand on the margins, those who linger on the edge, and those who suffer in silence. The potential and eventual realisation of inclusion is evidence of a free society, of genuine enfranchisement for all who seek it. Good rulers take care of those who come under their authority, including those parties on the losing side of military conflicts. Freedom is not achieved by overturning the results of conflict, revising the past, or instilling guilt and shame on the victors. 

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Liberalism as a Political Adjective

Liberal as a Political Adjective: 1769–1824

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Those who favor reform that reduces the governmentalization of social affairs need a name for that Smithian outlook. Whatever name we adopt, it will be abused or stolen by those whose characters and deeds spell the governmentalization of social affairs. We should remember who we are. We should return to the great liberal arc of the last 500 years, rising out of Christendom. There is only one liberalism 1.0. Let’s recover it and stick with it.

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Explaining the Crisis through Jacques Lacan

Explaining the Crisis through Jacques Lacan

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This account of Lacan’s discourse theory enables one to make sense of the discursive struggles currently occurring in global space. And once one has an intellectual grasp of one’s adversary’s ‘master moves’ in this space, one can better prepare to counter them through the hysteric’s and analyst’s discourses.

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Banishing Ghosts after the Pandemic

Banishing Ghosts after the Pandemic

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Gratitude and its rewarding expression were sorely lacking during the Pandemic. Masks, medicines, and the disease of politics created wide rifts amongst friends and family. Some of the wounds may never heal, but the holiday where we remember our dead is over. Now we move into the season where we give thanks to those still with us.

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Chronicles of an unvaccinated leftist

Chronicles of an Unvaccinated Leftist

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The prejudice observed against the unvaccinated was far from minimal. It was two and a half times greater than the exclusionary attitudes toward immigrants from the Middle East. Researchers discovered that the unvaccinated were as disliked as individuals struggling with drug addiction and significantly more so than people who had been released from prison.

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