It was a huge pleasure to speak on Platonic Proportions: Beauty, Harmony and a Good Life in a 2-day Iain McGilchrist/ Scientific and Medical Network event 2nd-3rd May in the glorious Sheldonian Theatre Oxford, brilliantly organised by Mary Attwood.

Surprised, delighted and honoured to be among such august company in Melvyn Bragg’s fantasy dinner party guest list in yesterday’s Times

Plato extends his travels. A former Warwick University student, Robert O’Toole, took a copy of Why Plato Matters Now in the left-hand pannier on his ride through the Namib desert, reading it in the evenings (I have his permission to post this).

In Herefordshire for the funeral of my kind, witty and brilliant cousin, the sculptor Nicholas Pope (1949-2026). Here is his The Apostles Speaking in Tongues Lit by their Own Lamps in Salisbury Cathedral. In pace.

In Herefordshire for the funeral of my kind, witty and brilliant cousin, the sculptor Nicholas Pope (1949-2026). Here is his The Apostles Speaking in Tongues Lit by their Own Lamps in Salisbury Cathedral. In pace.

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK "Hey, Teenagers: Pay close attention to the books people try to ban. Then, make a beeline to read those books, if you can. Find out for yourself why those people want that book banned. Find out for yourself if they can be trusted to know what’s best for you.” ~ Jeff Zentner

‘We were terrified they were going to kill us’: fishers who survived US boat strike speak out

Very grateful for this lovely review by Emma Greensmith of Why Plato Matters Now in @thetls.bsky.social: bit.ly/4vIN4l2

If journalists had any integrity and courage, they would boycott the White House Correspondents Dinner. It should be as empty as a TPUSA event.

For the first time in decades, consensus broke at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The United States cast the lone “no” vote on a document aimed at improving justice systems for women and girls worldwide. Misogyny is the official policy of the US under Trump.

Very pleased to have this piece in the Antigone Journal: bit.ly/48irBFR

Looking forward to hosting 2 debates bit.ly/3Qc7imZ: on Sat 23rd 2pm 'The God Debate' with Rowan Williams and Michael Shermer and on Sun 24th 1pm @The Age of assassination' with David Whelam and Sophie Duroy

Very much looking forward to taking part in this 2-day event 2nd-3rd May in the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford: I will be speaking on Platonic Proportions: Beauty, Harmony and a Good Life: bit.ly/4vlkupP

"Among young American men, the strongest predictor of support for the tradwife lifestyle was not gallantry but hostility towards women" Apparently this is not what researchers "expected". Which makes one wonder: had these researchers thought about it for 30 seconds? www.thetimes.com/life-style/s...

I really, really hope that those in Trump’s administration finally realise that it is not worth selling their souls and trashing their reputations and legacy for a man who will betray them sooner or later.

My brother Mike and I are remembering our beautiful, much loved and profoundly disabled sister Diana, who died on Good Friday 1973 (b. 1958). In pace 💐

‘Hobbs’ writing sets the reader’s brain afire.’ t.co/tXTtqZj6xf?s... @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

When times are uncertain, make nourishing soup. So here is delicious wild garlic and lovage soup (I foraged the garlic this morning and I grow the lovage).

Thank you so much to the brilliant Philomathean Society at UPenn for inviting me to talk about Why Plato Matters Now for their 200th Annual Oration - their excellent questions and warm hospitality made for a wonderful experience.

Returning home after giving the 200th Annual Oration of the Philomathean Society at the University of Pennsylvania, plus recording a podcast for their Center for the Study of Democracy - in both cases discussing Why Plato Matters Now. THANK YOU all for the wonderful hospitality!

I have words. And I will vigorously defend the name and legacy of Plato against any such abomination.

Returning home after giving the 200th Annual Oration of the Philomathean Society at the University of Pennsylvania, plus recording a podcast for their Center for the Study of Democracy - in both cases discussing Why Plato Matters Now. THANK YOU all for the wonderful hospitality!

On my way to vibrant Manchester to discuss Why Plato Matters Now with Manchester Grammar School and, this evening, with Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society - very much looking forward to both events!

The March 15, 2025, killing of Ruben Ray Martinez drew almost no public attention. But Martinez is now the first known American citizen shot to death by federal immigration agents during President Trump’s second term. https://wapo.st/4lbpGYC

I am currently writing the Foreword to the revised & expanded edition of the wonderful The Philosopher Queens, edited by @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social & Lisa Whiting- it has had such an impact since it came out in 2020 #InternationalWomensDay2026

Trump has repeatedly claimed ICE targets the “worst of the worst.”

Fantastic discussion of 'Might is Right' with @leaypi.bsky.social, @profangiehobbs.bsky.social, Margaret MacMillan and the irrepressible @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's 'Free Thinking' last Friday night!💥 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Loved* it! *caveats... bsky.app/profile/anot...

And here is the link to our lively discussion of the history of the idea that Might is Right on BBC Radio 4 Free Thinking, presented by @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social with @hdrochon.bsky.social , Margaret MacMillan and @leaypi.bsky.social, produced by @lukewm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3ZnGUYN

Very much looking forward to discussing my new book Why Plato Matters Now with Victoria Mier tomorrow (Sunday 8th) morning at 11.00 at the Holiday Inn, Kenilworth, part of the inaugural Kenilworth Fringe Festival: bit.ly/4aCUVIs

I am grateful to Plato's Academy Centre for the opportunity to discuss the importance of Plato and the urgent need for public philosophy: bit.ly/4k3y5wC

Looking forward to discussing Is Might Right? with @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social and others on Free Thinking Feb 6th 21.00: bit.ly/4k8EneG

Very pleased to have a chapter in this excellent volume, ably edited by Jenn Finn: ‘Courage and Cowardice in Greece and Rome: the Philosophical Debate.’ And so good to have perspectives from Mesopotamia, Israel and Egypt as well.

Packing for Dublin - so looking forward to my conversation this Saturday 31st Jan with Joe Humphreys about Why Plato Matters Now: bit.ly/3Md8Ewf @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social

A person was shot and is in critical condition after an incident involving U.S. Border Patrol near the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona on Tuesday morning, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

‘An attempt to break people’: Bucha holds out amid Russia’s weaponisation of winter

I really enjoyed discussing Why Plato Matters Now with Morteza Hajizadeh for the New Books Network: bit.ly/49FVGPo And as Plato's brilliant dialogue the Symposium seems to be too woke for Texas A&M, I talk about all the speeches in ch. 6 (although not in this podcast).

In America lecturers are being forbidden to introduce their students to Plato's writings. But in Britain we have @profangiehobbs.bsky.social

I really enjoyed my conversation with Jon Hawkins and @peterwest23.bsky.social @philosopher1923.bsky.social - hope you enjoy it too! @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social

ICYMI: "Why Plato Matters Now" @profangiehobbs.bsky.social with Jon Hawkings and @peterwest23.bsky.social Why Plato's approach to writing is important; his model for respectful debate; the ethics of flourishing and justice, and his tripartite psyche and social classes #Philosophy

«So you see how our discussion concerns that which should be of the greatest importance to any person even if he has only a modicum of sense — that is to say, how one should live.» #Socrates in Gorgias (500c) Really enjoying Why #Plato Matters Now by @profangiehobbs.bsky.social.

Very much looking forward to taking part in this 2nd-3rd May: bit.ly/4aJFSgE

Thucydides places this (imagined) 416/5 quote from the Athenians to the Melians (5.89) immediately before his account of the Athenians’ hubristic & catastrophic defeat in the Sicilian Expedition.

European leaders and Greenland residents respond to President Trump’s renewed threats to seize Greenland. nyti.ms/4jtK8Dn

President Trump doubled down on his desire to take over Greenland just hours after Denmark's prime minister urged him to “stop the threats” to annex the territory.

Tonight! Do join us if you can. @philosopher1923.bsky.social @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social

How would #Plato address current questions of the nature of a good life, healthcare, love and friendship, heroism, reality, art, and myth-making? How could he help us engage with contested issues in a more constructive way? Join us Mon. Jan. 5. #Philosophy www.tickettailor.com/events/theph...