Why? For the sake of giving Irish Times readers the option of sending me hate mail by old fashion post, which occasionally happens.

My letter in the @irishtimes.com today on the fuel protests. Civil disobedience is the lifeblood of democracy. But democracy also demands that representation is properly authorized. Claiming to represent 'the people of Ireland' after self-claiming oneself as their representative isn't good enough.

This is very good.

I would love to, all I need is an invitation.

Some photos from the 1st international conference on Thomas Hobbes held in Malmesbury, Hobbes's hometown.
We are already working on the 2nd conference, to be held in Malmesbury in April 2027.
Photos by Bingshu Zhao.

Abominable atrocities and our moral culpability Philosopher and writer Albert Camus knew the darkness of the human soul

My letter published in The Irish Times today on Albert Camus and the inescapable hypocrisy of being.

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...

My letter in the Irish Examiner last Saturday about a nasty political incident regarding fake news. Also a bit on Hannah Arendt.

Reflections of a blow-in after 25 years living in Cork Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Vittorio Buffacchi reflects on his two and half decades living in Cork and the connection between identity and place

I have a very personal piece published in the Irish Examiner today, where I look back on my 25 years of living in Ireland, and Cork City in particular. Along the way I met some amazing artists, who get a shout-out.
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

And in other news....

Is a general arts degree still fit for purpose? Leaked University of Galway report said there was a ‘sustained decline’ in undergraduate enrolment for degree but what is the value of one?

I'm interviewed in the Irish Times today, pontificating on the virtues of a BA Arts Degree. We need the humanities more than ever. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...

Ypiists of the world, unite! Some pics of my lecture yesterday on 'The Political Philosophy of Lea Ypi' at the Clonmel Philosophy Society.

Tomorrow in Clonmel, a small town in Ireland, County Tipperary, the focus will be on The Political Philosophy of Lea Ypi.

Mercantilism is back. This is not the time to embrace neutrality. Yes, I'm looking at you, Ireland.

Venezuela, Greenland... could Ireland be next? Trump is bringing us back to the future with his unbridled mercantilist and colonial expansion plans. Ireland is vulnerable, writes Vittorio Bufacchi

My piece on Trump, mercantilism, and what the EU needs to do about it. Including a shout out to Federico Varese. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Happy birthday, Antonio Gramsci. Born on this day in 1891, died in a Fascist prison in 1937. One of his most famous quotes was true in the 1930s, and it's still true today in the 2020s:
"The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters".

Bringing back patience would be a good thing for democracy By seeking shortcuts, we are issuing an open invitation to totalitarians

My analysis in @irishexaminer.bsky.social on patience, from Heraticlus to Montaigne to Hegel, all in less than 1000 words because no one has the patience to read anything longer these days.
Patience is good for democracy, just as tyranny feeds off impatience.
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

A short history of the separation of powers: from Cicero’s Rome to Trump’s America The checks and balances that hold a functioning democracy together may be coming under threat in the US.

January 3rd, Cicero's birthday. Also today, Trump's kidnapping of Venezuelan president Maduro, in Venezuela.
How are Cicero and Trump related? Read here:
theconversation.com/a-short-hist...

A symposium on my book 'Why Cicero Matters' has just been published online, with analysis by some of the most eminent classics scholars in the world: Victoria Rimell, Gesine Manuwald, Scott F. Aikin, Massimo Pigliucci, Lynn Fotheringham.
syndicate.network/symposia/phi...

A golden sky on Blue-sky. No filters. This is Anzio, near Rome, taken from a spot in close proximity to where Cicero had his villa. Smart guy this Cicero fella.

On Dec. 7th, 43 B.C., Roman philosopher and statesman was assassinated. The Roman Republic died with Cicero. He was killed by his enemies: populist, capricious authoritarians. Fast forward 2068 years...the rest is history repeating itself.

Immigration rhetoric is a tightrope for Government The Government is walking an economic tightrope and voters will not thank it if Ireland cannot find the people to deliver the services and infrastructure being loudly demanded, writes Professor Theres...

Writing about immigration in @irishexaminer.bsky.social Govt taking a risk with tougher talk & policies. May look like it's following public opinion but Irish econ is hugely dependent on intrnl labour. Few parties have out flanked the right on migration & won www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Excellent analysis

Vittorio Bufacchi: Philosophy is an antidote to toxic certainty The world desperately needs philosophy today, to stand up to totalitarianism, and halt the process of democratic backsliding, writes Vittorio Bufacchi on World Philosophy Day

It's World Philosophy Day!
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Join me on a live podcast next Thursday, November 20th, to celebrate World Philosophy Day.

Are you in Cork City today? Why not pop along to Horgan's Quay 1 / T23 PPT8 near the Dean Hotel and visit the Mapping Climate Change exhibition. Open today until 4pm.

Open until 6th Dec:
Tue, Wed, Fri 12 – 4pm
Thur 4 – 7pm
Sat 10am – 4pm
Closed Sun / Mon

There is only one take from the presidential election in Ireland: Catherine Connolly won by a HUGE margin. It was a POSITIVE campaign, and the LEFT candidate won fair and square.
The rest is minor details: spoiled votes, Jim Garvin, etc. is just background noise.

It's election day in Ireland. Go out and vote 🗳.

Yup, caught in the act, yet again, far-right bashing, this time on the far-right threat to public health.

Thomas Hobbes conference in Malmesbury (of course), March 2026. Spread the word. Send a paper proposal. Tell your students.
#Hobbes
#PhilosophyMatters