Online Philosophy Resources
Useful and interesting philosophical resources available on the internet
Below are our favourite online resources for people researching issues in philosophy. Resources are grouped by subject area.
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Philosophical Journals
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Philosophers' Imprint is a refereed Open Access online journal of philosophy managed by a team of volunteer editors. Each new publication appears approximately annually.
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Essays in Philosophy is an online peer reviewed journal published biannually by Pacific University Libraries. Although the journal covers all areas of philosophy, each edition is devoted to a specific topic. Contributions are welcomed.
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AJP is the journal of the Australasian Association of Philosophy (AAP) and is one of the world's leading philosophy journals in the analytic tradition.
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JPS is the journal of The Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations (FAPSA), with its aim as encouraging academic reflection and research into the growing field of philosophy with school-aged children.
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PhilPapers is a large index and repository of professional essays in all areas of philosophy. The database can be searched on author names, titles and keywords. Many essays can be downloaded direct from the web site.
Professional Philosophical Associations
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AAP aims to promote philosophical education, philosophical research and scholarship, and the exchange of philosophical ideas and to support its members and other professional philosophers in connection with their philosophical activities.
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ASCP aims to foster interest and support research in the field of Continental/European philosophy in Australia, New Zealand, and in the Australasian region, and to provide a network for those interested in or working in this field both nationally and internationally.
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SAAP aims to promote interest and research in the history of American Philosophy, encourage original, creative work in the spirit of that tradition and provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas on American Philosophy.
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SPEP strives to encourage work not only in the philosophical traditions of phenomenology and existentialism, but also in all those areas commonly associated with 'continental philosophy'.
Philosophical Encyclopaedias
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SEP is published and maintained by Stanford University and is arguably the most comprehensive and well-researched encyclopaedia of philosophy on the internet. It now hosts thousands of articles in every area of philosophy.
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IEP is a privately owned and voluntarily managed repository of peer reviewed articles in all aspects of philosophy. Articles are of a less technical nature compared with those contained in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) and are therefore more suited to students new to philosophy. Articles are categorized by topic and the database is searchable.
Naturalism and Skepticism
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Tom Clark's comprehensive web site covers all aspects of Naturalism, from what it is, to its key philosophical principles and how to apply naturalistic philosophy. It also includes an array of resources to help the visitor find out more.
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SGU is a series of downloadable weekly podcasts on a variety of sceptical topics. Each podcast is headed by professional neurologist, Dr. Steven Novella, and includes a panel of skeptics discussing the latest in pseudoscience and scams.
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If you are not sure whether a story that has appeared in your email inbox or that you have seen on social media is genuine, Snopes should be your first port of call. This web site is an excellent reference point for all of the urban legends, folklore, myths, rumours and misinformation lurking out there.
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The Skeptic's Dictionary is a well-structured compendium of information on an array of skeptical subjects. Entries are searchable as well as arranged by topic and alphabetically. Topics include Alternative Medicine, Cryptozoology, UFOs, Frauds, Conspiracies, New Age, the Paranormal and the Supernatural.
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This reference site encompasses the entire Old Testament and New Testament, as well as the Koran (Quran) and the Book of Mormon. The holy texts are annotated throughout with critical notes. Particularly useful is the categorization of topics that enable the visitor to find quickly verses relevant to a particular subject. Subjects include Absurdity, Injustice, Cruelty and Violence, Intolerance, Contradictions, Science and History, Family Values, Misogyny, Prophecy and Homosexuality.
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Clergy and other religious professionals who have abandoned their supernatural beliefs experience high levels of stress and isolation from their communities. This online group was set up in 2011 to provide mutual support and interaction with others leaving their faith. All communication between members is kept anonymous within a protected network that now numbers over 700 people spanning over 30 countries.
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Just click on the REIONIZE ELECTRONS buttons to generate your own page of New Age profundities. The developers have done a wonderful job allowing anyone to create instantly gibberish that rivals the best pseudoscientific nonsense that Deepak Chopra can produce.
Ethics
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This site is dedicated to Moral Foundations Theory. The theory first grew out of the work of Jonathan Haidt and seeks to explain the basic commonality of moral systems across cultures while accounting for their differences. It identifies the common themes as resulting from our evolutionary history and the divergent elements as cultural overlays.
Secular Altruism
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Foundation Beyond Belief is a charitable foundation focusing on humanist generosity and compassion through four programs: Humanist Giving, the Beyond Belief Network, Humanist Disaster Recovery and the Humanist Service Corps.
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The Atheist Centre in India runs rural development programmes, champions sex education and family planning, combats witchcraft and sorcery, and works at eradicating untouchability and caste.
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The The Fellowship of Freethought in Dallas organizes blood drives, collects food for local food banks, participates in holiday toy drives for needy children and collects donations for deployed soldiers.
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Atheists Helping the Homeless has a number of groups in Texas, USA, distributing basic living items to people who are homeless. There is now also a group working in Canada.
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With over 30,000 members worldwide and over $21 million dollars in loans, this Kiva team is the largest lending team on the Kiva microfinance lending site.
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S.H.A.R.E. provides general humanitarian aid, food assistance, and medical relief to disaster and accident victims.
Doing Philosophy
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Philosophy Experiments hosts a series of interactive scenarios in the areas of ethics, metaphysics and logic. Your scores on the tests are helpfully compared with those of other participants and you receive instructive analysis and feedback on your answers.
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Philosophy Bites hosts a series of short interviews with prominent philosophers on a range of subjects. Podcasts can be downloaded from iTunes or in mp3 format and are categorized by theme and philosopher name. Themes include About Philosophy, Knowledge, Thought and Belief, Language, Meaning and Truth, Existence and Reality, Religion, Body and Mind, Traditional Ethical Theories, Ways of Living, Political Values and more.
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Philosophy Forums hosts active discussions in all of the major areas of philosophical enquiry. Participants range from beginners to experts.
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Professional philosopher, Bryan Frances, articulates 17 very practical actions for a student of philosophy to take in writing a credible essay for which others will take notice.
Videos
Rational Realm – About Us
Rational Realm explores a rational approach to life and belief systems, drawing on the best of philosophical and scientific research. Its authors inspire reasoned inquiry and ethical action in a world of superstition and dogma.
What's Wrong with Democracy?
The rise of Donald Trump and the outcome of the Brexit vote indicate that our democratic systems of government are under stress. Leslie Allan outlines the key principles underpinning democracy and ideas on how to buttress them.
Is Morality Subjective or Objective? – Part 1
Address to Philosophy Matters 24 Feb 2020
First part of two-part series in which Leslie Allan considers a way to reconcile the opposing objectivist and subjectivist viewpoints in moral philosophy.
Is Morality Subjective or Objective? – Part 2
Address to Philosophy Matters 24 Mar 2020
Final part of two-part series in which Leslie Allan considers a way to reconcile the opposing objectivist and subjectivist viewpoints in moral philosophy.
Democracy in Our Time: Useful Idea or Not? – Part 1
Address to Philosophy Matters 16 Jun 2020
In first part of two-part series, Dr Vince Giuca teases out the nature of democracy as 'rule of the people', where it is today in the era of Trump and whether it should be abandoned.
Democracy in Our Time: Worth Defending? – Part 2
Address to Philosophy Matters 22 Jul 2020
Final part of two-part series in which Dr Vince Giuca examine threats to democracy from populist anti-pluralism and digital technology's pervasiveness.
Henrietta Dugdale – Freethinker and Suffragist
Leslie Allan tracks the story of this leading light of the women's liberation movement in pre-Federation Australia. With her fellow suffragists, she changed irrevocably how women were treated within the family and the broader society.
Leslie Allan – Why I Am a Humanist
Address to Critical Thinkers Forum 6 Oct 2019
Leslie Allan shares his experiences growing up, illustrates application of three core humanist principles and draws upon each to illuminate what it means to live a meaningful and good life.
The "Evil God Challenge"
Philosopher Stephen Law tips the Problem of Evil on its head. He asks: Why is belief in a good God much more reasonable than belief in an evil God? If belief in an evil God is absurd, then why isn't belief in a good God?
Why I Am a Humanist
Leslie Allan shares how his early experiences shape his humanist outlook and what he sees as the three core principles underlying the humanist world view. He then draws upon these principles to tease out what it means to live a good life.
Meaning in Life: Existentialism
Address to Philosophy Matters 29 Sep 2020
Akiva Quinn explores how meaning in life may be achieved through personal choices about "what truly matters" and the role of shared moral values in creating a life filled with purpose.
The Good Life: Different Perspectives
Address to Philosophy Matters 9 Nov 2020
Akiva Quinn and Usha Sista examine the notion of "The Good Life" from various viewpoints. Is the good life about experiencing lasting pleasure or is it about doing "the most good" we can?
Ask Me Any Question: Rationalist
Interview with Leo Brewin by Ex-Religious Support Network 25 Aug 2021
Q&A session with Leo Brewin (Rationalist) who explores with participants an alternative to a religious life based on reason and evidence.
The Hidden Toll of Religious Trauma
Address to Humanists Australia Ex-Religious Support Network 30 Jun 2021
Caroline Winzenried outlines how to identify 'Religious Trauma Syndrome' and the hidden toll that it takes even years after leaving a religion.
Podcasts
Is Morality Subjective or Objective? – Part 1
Address to Philosophy Matters 24 Feb 2020
First part of two-part series in which Leslie Allan considers a way to reconcile the opposing objectivist and subjectivist viewpoints in moral philosophy.
Is Morality Subjective or Objective? – Part 2
Address to Philosophy Matters 24 Feb 2020
Final part of two-part series in which Leslie Allan considers a way to reconcile the opposing objectivist and subjectivist viewpoints in moral philosophy.
Religious Belief and Humanism
Radio interview 3WBC 94.1 FM 5 Sep 2019
Iain Messer (Messeround) interviews Leslie Allan (Vice President, Humanists Victoria) and Paul Tonson (Minister, Uniting Church) on intersection between religious belief and humanist outlook.
Ask Me Any Question: Rationalist
Interview with Leo Brewin by Ex-Religious Support Network 25 Aug 2021
Q&A session with Leo Brewin (Rationalist) who explores with participants an alternative to a religious life based on reason and evidence.
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