P H I L O S O P H Y P A T H W A Y S ISSN 2043-0728 http://philosophypathways.com/newsletter/ Issue No. 208 17th January 2017 CONTENTS Edited by Martin Jenkins I. 'Is It a Bad Thing to Die?' by Max Malikow II. 'Heidegger and Marx: Is a Dialogue Possible?' by Martin Jenkins III. 'When Can We Know Our Assumptions?' by Terence Edward -=- EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 'Why is there something rather than nothing?' is a fundamental question asked by Philosophers. In the first essay, Max Malikow explores the question: Is non-being, death is a bad thing? The following by essay by the Editor examines differing views on the essence of human being espoused by both Karl Marx and Martin Heidegger, in order to ask the question whether any philosophical and political dialogue is possible. Finally, does Human being historically progress as the dialectical manifestation of Reason as Hegel maintained? Terence Edward examines how once rational assumptions of an age become irrational before, not after the 'Owl of Minerva' takes flight. © Martin Jenkins 2017 Email: martinllowarch.jenkins@virgin.net About the editor: http://philosophypathways.com/newsletter/editor.html#jenkins -=- I. 'IS IT A BAD THING TO DIE?' BY MAX MALIKOW Several years ago I heard two men arguing. At the apex of their dispute one said to the other, "I'm going to kill you!" The other responded, "The way my life is going, death would be an upgrade." Might death ever be an upgrade or is it invariably a bad thing to die? Possibly death is neither good nor bad; perhaps it is neutral [...] Read more... http://philosophypathways.com/articles/Max_Malikow_Is_It_a_Bad_ Thing_to_Die.pdf (c) Max Malikow 2017 Email: malikowm@lemoyne.edu -=- II. 'HEIDEGGER AND MARX: IS A DIALOGUE POSSIBLE?' BY MARTIN JENKINS As a panel member of Dr Geoffrey Klempner's 'Ask a Philosopher' internet service, I answered a question. It asked if there was any similarity between Karl Marx's theory of Alienation and Heidegger's theory of 'deworlding'. This reanimated a line of enquiry I had long been wanting to pursue: is there any common philosophical ground between Marxism and Heidegger? [...] Read more... http://philosophypathways.com/articles/Martin_Jenkins_Heidegger_ and_Marx_Is_a_Dialogue_Possible.pdf (c) Martin Jenkins 2017 Email: martinllowarch.jenkins@virgin.net -=- III. 'WHEN CAN WE KNOW OUR ASSUMPTIONS?' BY TERENCE EDWARD Early on in his book Philosophy of Right, the daunting philosopher G.W.F. Hegel presents readers with mysterious images: 'When philosophy paints its grey in grey, then has a shape of life grown old. By philosophy's grey in grey it cannot be rejuvenated but only understood. The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk.' What is Hegel trying to convey by these images: that philosophy paints its grey in grey, and that the owl of Minerva begins its flight at dusk? [...] Read more... http://philosophypathways.com/articles/Terence_Edward_When_Can_We _Know_Our_Assumptions.pdf (c) Terence Edward 2017 Email: T.R.Edward@manchester.ac.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------- Philosophy Pathways is the electronic newsletter for the Pathways to Philosophy distance learning program To subscribe or cancel your subscription please email your request to philosophypathways@fastmail.net The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Editors. -----------------------------------------------------------------