Open Philosophy is a dynamic anthology of “open access texts” you would expect to find assigned in college philosophy courses. The works are curated, edited, and annotated by Brendan Lalor. They vary in length and depth of annotation. Some are short with little commentary; others feature definitions, historical context, conceptual explanations, film clips, provocations, and original and classic art.
It is “free” in Richard Stallman's sense of “free beer” (you pay nothing; there’s no price barrier, so it’s gratis).
Here are some key ideas and features.
Open & free
As an open access text, Open Philosophy is “open” in the sense defined by Peter Suber in his excellent book, Open Access (MIT, 2012):
Open access (OA) literature is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
This is why most of the texts that are part of Open Philosophy are in the public domain, or under friendly licenses. But some are here by permission.
Beyond the monetary sense of “free,” this work is “free” in the additional sense of “freedom of speech” (you’re at liberty with it, to share and even adapt it, as long as you do so with attribution and noncommercially; there’s a low permission barrier, so it’s libre).Open Philosophy is built using WordPress, which is free, “open source” website software.
Conventions & features
First, remember that “Open Philosophy” at the top of the page is a drop-down navigational menu, with links to get you anywhere you need to get. If you find yourself at a dead end, though, feel free to drop me a note.
[fam fa=”fa-music” styl=”right: -80px;”]
Second, I’ve implemented speed-reading technology powered by Spritz. I’ve also added a music bar to the top of the site. It plays some of my reading loops: original music, for focus.
Hide in-text annotations.
Third, clicking ‘‘ on content pages will toggle most “text-bookish” features on and off. I love a relatively clean version of the primary source, and the ability to “turn on” annotations for a different read.
Fourth, I’ve added a hovering, collapsable table of contents. Your initial scroll down the page will reveal the button in the top, left corner of the screen. In many browsers, the table of contents is draggable – so you’ll be able to move it where you wish, or drop it off the edge where it cannot be seen at all.
The table of contents is “collapsed.”
Click to open contents.
Fifth, I indicate the author of each passage using avatar-like icons, mostly created by Open Philosophy artist, Mitch Francis. Although there is sometimes a rapid oscillation between primary text and commentary, who you’re reading should always be clear.
Sixth, I have enclosed elaborative – or in some cases, advanced – text or media inside accordion-style hideouts. Reveal the content by clicking the teaser, or the ‘‘.
What the spoiler looks like closed … but CLICK it!
Opening the spoiler shuffles hidden content into view.
Acknowledgments
“Thank you” to my colleagues at Castleton University for encouraging research and experimentation that promote great teaching; thanks, too, to the deans for supporting the Open Philosophy artist, Mitch Francis, with Faculty-Student Research Grants during the 2013-2014 academic year. It has been great working with Mitch: he’s smart, curious, creative, and he has spirit. Thanks, too, to John Fredrick “Fred” Humphrey – creator of one of the first online, interactive “close reads.” I appreciated conversation about his interactive edition of Plato’s Apology.
I have to acknowledge the great community of support around WordPress. And thank you, Adrian Chum, for the SCM Music Player.
I am especially grateful for the support, slack, and magic of Michelle.