The provided text from "Philosophics" presents a polemic that uses the biological behaviour of male flatworms to metaphorically analyse human gender dynamics and power structures. The article, titled "Becoming a Woman with Penetration Politics," argues that human society, despite its advancements, still reflects a fundamental "penetration politics" akin to the flatworms' aggressive mating ritual, where penetration symbolises conquest and the imposition of reproductive burden. It directly links this concept to feminist critiques of patriarchy, suggesting that the male role is intrinsically tied to a form of subjugation through penetration. Ultimately, the text posits that humanity is hypocritical in its perceived civility, masking an underlying reality of power struggles defined by this "penetration politics."https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/21/becoming-a-woman-with-penetration-politics/

The source text critiques the modern perception of Human Resources (HR), arguing that it serves corporate interests rather than employee well-being. It asserts that HR's actions, like offering mindfulness apps, are designed to make individuals responsible for systemic issues. The article cites Bal and Dóci's 2018 paper to illustrate how neoliberal ideology has permeated workplace practices and academic research, promoting harmful ideas of instrumentality, individualism, and competition among employees. It further suggests that the outdated concept of "homo economicus" persists in corporate environments, viewing employees solely as productive units. Ultimately, the piece calls for a re-humanisation of organisational studies, challenging the prevailing view of workers as mere variables in a productivity equation.https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/20/hrs-neoliberal-mirage-human-resources-without-the-humans/

The provided sources discuss philosophical critiques of René Descartes' famous "cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) statement. Bry Willis, writing for Philosophics.Blog, argues that Descartes' conclusion of a substantial "I" is flawed, asserting that it is a grammatical construct rather than a metaphysical discovery. The article highlights how Spinoza viewed doubt as ignorance, Kant saw the "I think" as a mere formal requirement for experience, and Hegel dismissed Descartes' "I" as an empty abstraction. Ultimately, Willis suggests that the very structure of Indo-European languages, which require a subject for verbs, may have inadvertently compelled Descartes to posit a "thinker" where perhaps only "thinking" existed.

https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/19/cogito-ergo-who/

Ridley Park articulates a critique of popular objections to artificial intelligence, particularly concerning Large Language Models (LLMs). Park contends that many AI detractors lack a fundamental understanding of language theory, often projecting metaphysical or emotional aspects onto language that do not exist. He argues that AI's lack of emotion is irrelevant to its function, as writing itself is a conjuring act with words to evoke feeling in readers, not to transmit authorial emotion. Drawing on philosophers like Saussure, Wittgenstein, and Derrida, Park explains that language is self-referential and context-dependent, not a direct reflection of reality. Therefore, he proposes that critics should possess a basic knowledge of semiotics, context, and critical theory before commenting on LLMs, as their current arguments often miss the point of how language, and consequently AI, operates.

Philosopher Bry Willis writes "Democracy: Opiate of the Masses." This article critically analyses the concept of democracy, arguing that it is a misleading system that gives a false sense of influence to the public. It suggests that democracy relies on an unrealistic expectation of an aware and capable electorate, further asserting that even if citizens were intelligent, mathematical theorems like Arrow's Impossibility Theorem demonstrate the inherent flaws. The article also critiques the notion of IQ as a measure of true intelligence, highlighting its cultural biases. Ultimately, the author likens democracy to a religion, characterising it as an "opiate" that promotes mediocrity and was established by influential individuals to maintain their control under a new guise.

https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/12/democracy-opiate-of-the-masses/

"From Grunts to Gibberish: The Glorious Evolution of Language and Its Stunning Inadequacies" from Philosophics explores the historical development of human language. It traces language from primitive internal thoughts, such as "flamey thing hot," used for individual survival, to its evolution into a social tool for communication between people. The piece introduces the language insufficiency hypothesis, suggesting that language, despite its complexity, struggles to adequately convey intricate thoughts and abstract concepts, often leading to misunderstanding and debate. This article serves as Part 1 of a multi-part series, examining how language both shapes and fails to shape our understanding of the world.From Grunts to Gibberish: The Glorious Evolution of Language and Its Stunning Inadequacies – Philosophics

The provided text from "Philosophics" explores the misconceptions surrounding human creativity and intelligence, especially in the context of artificial intelligence. It argues that the concepts of "creativity" and "intelligence" are often vaguely defined to maintain the idea of human exceptionalism, asserting that neither humans nor AI can create "from nothing," a concept termed "causa sui." Instead, the author posits that creativity is essentially recombination of existing inputs, a process structurally identical in both humans and AI. The piece concludes that the resistance to acknowledging AI's capabilities stems from a desire to preserve human uniqueness rather than from a genuine difference in cognitive function.https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/11/the-myth-of-causa-sui-creativity/

The provided text from "Philosophics" explores the misconceptions surrounding human creativity and intelligence, especially in the context of artificial intelligence. It argues that the concepts of "creativity" and "intelligence" are often vaguely defined to maintain the idea of human exceptionalism, asserting that neither humans nor AI can create "from nothing," a concept termed "causa sui." Instead, the author posits that creativity is essentially recombination of existing inputs, a process structurally identical in both humans and AI. The piece concludes that the resistance to acknowledging AI's capabilities stems from a desire to preserve human uniqueness rather than from a genuine difference in cognitive function.

https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/11/the-myth-of-causa-sui-creativity/

https://philosophics.blog/2022/05/17/cows-are-suey/

The provided texts from "Ridley Park" and "Philosophics" explore the author's process of using Generative AI (GenAI) for writing and editing, specifically for a novel titled Needle's Edge. The author highlights the efficiency and preliminary benefits of using AI platforms for feedback, acknowledging potential cognitive biases in the largely positive critiques received. A significant portion of the sources addresses the controversy and "moral panic" surrounding AI in creative writing communities, detailing the author's negative experience with a Reddit forum that rejected and banned discussion of AI tools, perceiving them as a threat to authorship. The author challenges the fear and "gatekeeping" mentality, arguing that AI is a helpful tool for refinement rather than a means of stealing ideas or replacing human creativity.

https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/06/of-genai-gatekeepers-and-moral-panic-in-minor-key/

Ridley Park shares "Persona, Identity, and the Many Faces of Sarah" and "The Heuristic Self: On Persona, Identity, and Character," both explore the complex nature of identity through the lens of a fictional character named Sarah. The first source introduces Sarah, a protagonist from the novel-in-progress Needle's Edge, who navigates her life using three distinct personas: Sarah (her given name, for close connections), Stacey (the curated escort), and Pink (the street-level drug user). It highlights how compartmentalisation is a survival mechanism for her, despite its emotional cost. The second source expands on this concept, arguing that identity is a necessary illusion or "heuristic" rather than a fixed truth, and that Sarah's fragmented self is an intensified reflection of how most people adapt their "self" to different contexts for survival. Both pieces underscore the idea that a singular identity is often a fiction, especially in the face of trauma or societal pressures.https://philosophics.blog/2025/08/02/the-heuristic-self-on-persona-identity-and-character/

https://ridleypark.blog/2025/08/02/persona-identity-and-the-many-faces-of-sarah/