“The Emperor’s Soul” by Brandon Sanderson

by Angelica WerthArt & CultureAug 23, 2024

How would you go about learning everything about somebody else’s soul—without speaking with the person? This is Shai’s task in The Emperor’s Soul; she must uncover as many secrets of Emperor Ashravan’s soul as she can so as to convincingly recreate it using magic. Her processes and methods of learning are fascinating and make this quick fantasy read quite interesting. I explore those methods and the philosophy behind them in my latest Substack post:

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Latest Blog Posts

Learning for Life: A User’s Guide for the Active Mind

by OSI AdminLifestyle, Philosophy

Nov 6, 2025

How do you decide what’s worth learning in a world overflowing with knowledge? In his LevelUp talk, Eric Daniels explores how to direct your own learning to grow wiser, more capable, and more fulfilled over a lifetime.

Moral Realism and Anti-Realism vs. the Metaethics of Life

by Craig BiddlePhilosophy

Nov 5, 2025

Craig untangles the confusing debate between moral realism and anti-realism—two false alternatives that obscure the possibility of an objective moral foundation. He breaks down the jargon, clarifies the terms, and shows where the real distinctions lie.

Mr. Savior

by Maddox LocherPhilosophy

Oct 28, 2025

To “save” someone means to protect him from something that threatens or hinders his life. So... is God really a savior?

Violence as Spectacle in Chain-Gang All-Stars

by Angelica WerthArt & Culture

Oct 28, 2025

Brutal and at times jarring, Chain-Gang All-Stars nevertheless reminds us to view every single person as a fellow human being.