Presentations and Publications
- 25 Oct 2003: Sentences That Can’t Be Said, or: How to Semanticize With a Hammer
presented for the Alabama Philosophical Society
annual conference
Bio
Charles Johnson is a Research Fellow for the Molinari Institute.
He holds a B.A. in Philosophy (summa cum laude) from Auburn
University, where he also recently completed a Research Fellowship
in Philosophy focusing on modal metaphysics.
Charles was born in San Antonio, Texas, and has spent most of his life in the
Deep South. His research interests focus the philosophical, cultural, and
material foundations of a free society, with study, writing, and presentation
on topics ranging from pure metaphysics to applied strategy. Chief among them
are:
- Modality and the metaphysics of “possible worlds”
- Philosophical method and the role of philosophical criticism in building an
open society
- Moral and political philosophy
- History of philosophy
- History and theory of liberation movements (esp. organized labor, feminism /
women’s liberation, and anarchism)
- The relationship between libertarian socialism and anarcho-capitalism
- Problems and strategy for individual action within liberation movements
You might summarize the rather unlikely blend of ideas that
has emerged from his studies according to the following five-point
programme:
- At least 1/4 of all philosophical puzzles arise from confusions about modality
and its metaphysics; nearly all confusions about modality have their roots in
confusions about the nature of philosophical inquiry.
- Philosophical inquiry begins, and ends, in the real world. It pays to be a
realist and an anti-skeptic about just about everything.
- Criticism without activism is empty; activism without criticism is blind
(and dumb).
- Pure contemplation of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful are worthwhile
parts of the good life for rational beings. (We want bread, but also
roses.)
- Anarcho-socialism and anarcho-capitalism are complementary, rather than
contradictory, doctrines.
Charles is also beginning work on a project to expand our online library into a full-fledged,
freely accessible, researcher-friendly library of philosophy. The effort will be
collaborative and based as much as possible on open-source software and intellectual
freedom through copyleft. Contact him
for more information if you’re interested!
