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Sunday photoblogging: East Street

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/18/sunday-photoblogging-east-street/

Published: January 18, 2026 14:12

Utilitarianism: it all went wrong with Sidgwick

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/14/utilitarianism-it-all-went-wrong-with-sidgwick/

Published: January 14, 2026 04:31

As part of my critique of pro-natalism, I’m looking at the philosophical foundations of the idea. Most of the explicit discussion takes place within the framework of consequentialism (the idea that the best actions or policies are those with the best…

On West Coast Straussianism and the Imperial Presidency

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/13/on-west-coast-straussianism-and-the-imperial-presidency/

Published: January 13, 2026 19:33

It is undisputed that Leo Strauss (1899 – 1973), a German exile, who, after a long stint at The New School reached prominence at The University of Chicago, became the founder of a ‘school’ of academics who found a home mostly in political theory, but also…

The Tories are dead, long live the Tories (Reform version)!

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/12/the-tories-are-dead-long-live-the-tories-reform-version/

Published: January 12, 2026 16:04

For the last year or so, left-leaning UK voters have been subjected to the looming nightmare that Reform – a bunch of xenophobes and welfare-state-slashers – might form the next government. There has been very little silver lining to this. The one bit of…

Sunday photoblogging: Derrynane Strand, Co. Kerry

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/11/sunday-photoblogging-derrynane-strand-co-kerry/

Published: January 11, 2026 15:23

How to make sure the writing gets done

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/08/how-to-make-sure-the-writing-gets-done/

Published: January 8, 2026 09:58

I’ve been asked by a couple of friends, who have signed contracts to write nonfiction trade books, whether I have any advice on how to make sure the book gets written. I think in general non-fiction trade writing is quite a different challenge from…

Changing beliefs, moving house – suggestion for a change of metaphor

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/07/changing-beliefs-moving-house-suggestion-for-a-change-of-metaphor/

Published: January 7, 2026 16:57

In political epistemology, there is a lot of criticism of the metaphor of the “marketplace of ideas,” the thought that people somehow “trade” in arguments or ideas and thereby arrive at true beliefs.* The longer you think about it, the less sense it makes.…

Sunday photoblogging: Windmill Hill

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/04/sunday-photoblogging-windmill-hill/

Published: January 4, 2026 10:11

A note on the threat to art from AI

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/02/a-note-on-the-threat-to-art-from-ai/

Published: January 2, 2026 09:24

Over the past few days I’ve found myself mulling the question of whether AI will destroy art and literature. Initially, I found myself comforted by a thought, articulated by Carrie Jenkins on bluesky, that since the value of art lies not simply in the…

For 2026, let’s hope…

https://crookedtimber.org/2026/01/01/for-2026-lets-hope/

Published: January 1, 2026 14:47

To all of you – a healthy, flourishing, and meaningful 2026! To the world – I am less sure where to begin, since 2025 was, politically and morally speaking, one of the worst years since long. Let’s hope for peace, definitely. Responsible leaders with sound…

Some thoughts on charitable donations

https://crookedtimber.org/2025/12/29/some-thoughts-on-charitable-donations/

Published: December 29, 2025 19:08

I read a post on one of the social media platforms written by a professor who was sharing his experience with giving away ten percent of his income, after he signed the “Ten percent giving pledge” many years ago. In deciding what or whom to give to, those…