Philosophy isn’t just for specialists.
I write essays for non-academic publications in which I introduce philosophical ideas in a way that makes them accessible to anyone who is curious — and, more to the point, doesn’t have the university log-in required to read most academic journal articles.
I also organise live philosophy events in which philosophy is combined with art, particularly music.
Notes from a Biscuit Tin: New York
Notes from a Biscuit Tin is a yearlong global celebration of the philosophical vision of Mary Midgley. The New York instalment, which I hosted at Arete Venue and Gallery on February 21 2020, explored Midgley's views on poetry, its relationship to philosophy, and how it can shift our vision of the natural world.
I was joined by poet Laura Mullen and flutist and MacArthur fellow Claire Chase. Mullen performed her poem Answers, commissioned for the event. She also distributed test tubes containing a line from the poem and a line from Midgley, encouraging audience-members to ‘recycle’ their own poems.
Chase performed works by Marcos Balter, one of which (‘Echo’, from PAN, Balter’s wordless opera for solo flute, electronics and community participation) involved audience-members playing chimes and triangles. Chase also led a group performance of Sounds from Childhood, a performance art piece by Pauline Oliveros.
Images by Julia Drummond
www.juliadrummondphotography.com