Thomas D. Carroll
@thomasdcarroll.bsky.social
Teaching Associate Professor in Philosophy & Religious Studies at CUHK-Shenzhen
I write on Wittgenstein, philosophy of religion, and comparative ethics. Sometimes, I post here about these things and music I like.
I write on Wittgenstein, philosophy of religion, and comparative ethics. Sometimes, I post here about these things and music I like.
Pinned
My book, Rethinking Philosophy of Religion with Wittgenstein, arrived today.
I'm grateful to Bloomsbury (@bloomsburyacad.bsky.social) for publishing it & to J. Aaron Simmons and Kevin Schilbrack for including it in the Expanding Philosophy of Religion series.
www.bloomsbury.com/us/rethinkin...
I'm grateful to Bloomsbury (@bloomsburyacad.bsky.social) for publishing it & to J. Aaron Simmons and Kevin Schilbrack for including it in the Expanding Philosophy of Religion series.
www.bloomsbury.com/us/rethinkin...
Today I made it to the Cao'an Temple, a old Manichean site just outside of Quanzhou. It's a really fascinating example of the depths and complexities of Chinese history and the capaciousness of categories like "Buddhism" or "Manichaeism"
November 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Today I made it to the Cao'an Temple, a old Manichean site just outside of Quanzhou. It's a really fascinating example of the depths and complexities of Chinese history and the capaciousness of categories like "Buddhism" or "Manichaeism"
I'm visiting Quanzhou this weekend, and I've gotten to see quite a few temples. Highlights were the Tian Hou Temple, the Tonghuai Guanyue Temple (impressive how popular Guanyu and Yue Fei are), and the Qingjing Mosque.
November 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I'm visiting Quanzhou this weekend, and I've gotten to see quite a few temples. Highlights were the Tian Hou Temple, the Tonghuai Guanyue Temple (impressive how popular Guanyu and Yue Fei are), and the Qingjing Mosque.
I wrote a short blog post about two articles I wrote that were published earlier this year. While the topics are quite different--atheism and communicative reticence & religious diversity--my interest in Wittgenstein and hermeneutics links the two pieces.
thomasdcarroll.blogspot.com/2025/11/two-...
thomasdcarroll.blogspot.com/2025/11/two-...
Two New-ish Articles
Cross-Cultural Ethics, History of Analytic Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion
thomasdcarroll.blogspot.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I wrote a short blog post about two articles I wrote that were published earlier this year. While the topics are quite different--atheism and communicative reticence & religious diversity--my interest in Wittgenstein and hermeneutics links the two pieces.
thomasdcarroll.blogspot.com/2025/11/two-...
thomasdcarroll.blogspot.com/2025/11/two-...
I'm at the Chinese Wittgenstein Society's conference in Hangzhou.
Heard many great papers today & got to meet scholars whose work I know. Was great to meet up with my former dissertation director, Juliet Floyd. Even got to road-test a new project I'm working on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Heard many great papers today & got to meet scholars whose work I know. Was great to meet up with my former dissertation director, Juliet Floyd. Even got to road-test a new project I'm working on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I'm at the Chinese Wittgenstein Society's conference in Hangzhou.
Heard many great papers today & got to meet scholars whose work I know. Was great to meet up with my former dissertation director, Juliet Floyd. Even got to road-test a new project I'm working on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Heard many great papers today & got to meet scholars whose work I know. Was great to meet up with my former dissertation director, Juliet Floyd. Even got to road-test a new project I'm working on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Looking forward to the Seventh International Wittgenstein Symposium at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou this weekend.
I'll be giving a short paper: "AI, Ethics, and Forms of Life."
I'll be giving a short paper: "AI, Ethics, and Forms of Life."
November 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Looking forward to the Seventh International Wittgenstein Symposium at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou this weekend.
I'll be giving a short paper: "AI, Ethics, and Forms of Life."
I'll be giving a short paper: "AI, Ethics, and Forms of Life."
I went to the Jazz Festival at OCT-Loft in Shenzhen yesterday. Got to see two amazing groups: Joe Fonda and Satoko Fujii & Ken Vandermark Edition Redux
October 26, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I went to the Jazz Festival at OCT-Loft in Shenzhen yesterday. Got to see two amazing groups: Joe Fonda and Satoko Fujii & Ken Vandermark Edition Redux
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
Lewis Gordon on Frantz Fanon - our latest Philosophy Bites interview philosophybites.com/podcast/lewi...
Lewis Gordon on Frantz Fanon - Philosophy Bites
Frantz Fanon, who was born in Martinique, died aged 36. He nevertheless made very significant contributions to the discussion of racism and colonialism, influenced strongly by the existentialist tradi...
philosophybites.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Lewis Gordon on Frantz Fanon - our latest Philosophy Bites interview philosophybites.com/podcast/lewi...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
You know what rules? Wayne Shorter’s solo on “The Chess Players” youtu.be/fI0S6ioserI?...
The Chess Players (Remastered 2005)
YouTube video by Art Blakey - Topic
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
You know what rules? Wayne Shorter’s solo on “The Chess Players” youtu.be/fI0S6ioserI?...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
Late jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal enjoyed playing ballads believing it took years of lived experience to truly master them. Jamal’s popular 1958 version of the Gershwin tune “But Not for Me” from the Live at the Pershing Lounge album. #Jazz #JazzMusic m.youtube.com/watch?v=jsC2...
But Not For Me (Live At The Pershing Lounge/1958)
YouTube video by Ahmad Jamal - Topic
m.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Late jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal enjoyed playing ballads believing it took years of lived experience to truly master them. Jamal’s popular 1958 version of the Gershwin tune “But Not for Me” from the Live at the Pershing Lounge album. #Jazz #JazzMusic m.youtube.com/watch?v=jsC2...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
“This city is a complicated place, but I’ve found two truths: The Golden Age is a myth and San Francisco is never “over.””
Great read from @peterhartlaub.bsky.social, San Francisco’s historian/hype-man extraordinaire.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Great read from @peterhartlaub.bsky.social, San Francisco’s historian/hype-man extraordinaire.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Marc Benioff wants troops in S.F.? There’s a path back to sanity, and it’s close to home
Marc Benioff called for the National Guard in S.F. The city doesn’t need the military on its streets. It needs the Salesforce founder to follow his grandfather’s example, Peter Hartlaub...
www.sfchronicle.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:21 AM
“This city is a complicated place, but I’ve found two truths: The Golden Age is a myth and San Francisco is never “over.””
Great read from @peterhartlaub.bsky.social, San Francisco’s historian/hype-man extraordinaire.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Great read from @peterhartlaub.bsky.social, San Francisco’s historian/hype-man extraordinaire.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
In the latest episode in our series on belief, we’re exploring the surprising revival of shamanism in China, which has made a comeback despite Mao's best efforts at eradication. Ritual healers and spirit mediums are tapping into online believers and a public thirst for authentic spirituality. (1/3)
October 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
In the latest episode in our series on belief, we’re exploring the surprising revival of shamanism in China, which has made a comeback despite Mao's best efforts at eradication. Ritual healers and spirit mediums are tapping into online believers and a public thirst for authentic spirituality. (1/3)
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
"Helen de Cruz (1978–2025): an academic and personal tribute" *Religious Studies* Published online 2025:1-4.
doi.org/10.1017/S003...
@helendecruz.net
doi.org/10.1017/S003...
@helendecruz.net
Helen de Cruz (1978–2025): an academic and personal tribute | Religious Studies | Cambridge Core
Helen de Cruz (1978–2025): an academic and personal tribute
doi.org
September 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
"Helen de Cruz (1978–2025): an academic and personal tribute" *Religious Studies* Published online 2025:1-4.
doi.org/10.1017/S003...
@helendecruz.net
doi.org/10.1017/S003...
@helendecruz.net
Typhoon Ragasa is bringing some intense rain and wind to Shenzhen. Not clear when the rain will end, if ever...
September 24, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Typhoon Ragasa is bringing some intense rain and wind to Shenzhen. Not clear when the rain will end, if ever...
I have a new open access article out today in AGATHEOS: European Journal for Philosophy of Religion -- "Wittgenstein, Religious Diversity, and Communicative Reticence"
publicera.kb.se/aejpr/articl...
publicera.kb.se/aejpr/articl...
Wittgenstein, Religious Diversity, and Communicative Reticence
| AGATHEOS – European Journal for Philosophy of Religion
publicera.kb.se
September 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I have a new open access article out today in AGATHEOS: European Journal for Philosophy of Religion -- "Wittgenstein, Religious Diversity, and Communicative Reticence"
publicera.kb.se/aejpr/articl...
publicera.kb.se/aejpr/articl...
Here's a view of the CUHK-Shenzhen campus right after sunset (and after several days of intense rain brought by a tropical storm)
September 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Here's a view of the CUHK-Shenzhen campus right after sunset (and after several days of intense rain brought by a tropical storm)
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
Officials deport a student from China who had a full scholarship to study philosophy at the University of Houston, 36 hours after he lands in Texas.
Philosophy Grad Student from China Deported upon Arrival in US - Daily Nous
A 22-year-old student from China who had traveled from China to Texas to study philosophy at the University of Houston was detained upon arrival in the state, questioned, and deported back to China 36...
dailynous.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Officials deport a student from China who had a full scholarship to study philosophy at the University of Houston, 36 hours after he lands in Texas.
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
“Let’s begin by saying that we are living through a very dangerous time.” So opens “A Talk to Teachers,” which James Baldwin delivered to a group of educators in October, 1963.
James Baldwin’s Lesson for Teachers in a Time of Turmoil
Rigorous lessons are not mutually exclusive from culturally and politically relevant ones.
www.newyorker.com
August 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“Let’s begin by saying that we are living through a very dangerous time.” So opens “A Talk to Teachers,” which James Baldwin delivered to a group of educators in October, 1963.
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
Jen Lin-Liu thinks we're going about Chinese cookbooks all wrong... read this tour de force essay on everyone's favorite China book: their cookbook.
chinabooksreview.com/2025/08/21/c...
chinabooksreview.com/2025/08/21/c...
The Trouble with Chinese Cookbooks | China Books Review
Despite the difficulty of translating Chinese cuisine for Western readers, Chinese cookbooks continue to sell. But just as their form has changed over the decades, so too has their mission.
chinabooksreview.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Jen Lin-Liu thinks we're going about Chinese cookbooks all wrong... read this tour de force essay on everyone's favorite China book: their cookbook.
chinabooksreview.com/2025/08/21/c...
chinabooksreview.com/2025/08/21/c...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
As a past contributor I join the chorus of concern about the problems the Shanghai Literary Review is having with its institutonal partner, Duke Kunshan University’s Humanities Research Centre. A poor show that will hopefully be resolved by Duke Kunshan HRC sooner rather than later….
The editors of The Shanghai Literary Review, a distinguished print & digital magazine founded in 2016, have made an alarming announcement, stating: "We’re writing today with an important and difficult update." Why the delay? What happened?
👉 Statement: shanghailiterary.substack.com/p/issue-9-up...
👉 Statement: shanghailiterary.substack.com/p/issue-9-up...
August 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
As a past contributor I join the chorus of concern about the problems the Shanghai Literary Review is having with its institutonal partner, Duke Kunshan University’s Humanities Research Centre. A poor show that will hopefully be resolved by Duke Kunshan HRC sooner rather than later….
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
This beautiful book is now out! It's freely available as an open-access ebook (thanks to funding from @templetonrelig.bsky.social):
www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
August 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This beautiful book is now out! It's freely available as an open-access ebook (thanks to funding from @templetonrelig.bsky.social):
www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
Reposted by Thomas D. Carroll
On the sensitivity of "magic," "supernatural," & "tradition":
'The ghosts became illusions created by feng shui. It’s a commonly used trick, where the blatantly supernatural is thinly disguised as an element of “traditional Chinese medicine” or qigong, both of which have official approval.'
'The ghosts became illusions created by feng shui. It’s a commonly used trick, where the blatantly supernatural is thinly disguised as an element of “traditional Chinese medicine” or qigong, both of which have official approval.'
wrote an explainer of how the sausage gets made when it comes to censorship in China, partially to serve as a useful comparative study for America
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/19/c...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/19/c...
A Guide to Censorship in China
Strange processes determine what does—or doesn’t—get published.
foreignpolicy.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
On the sensitivity of "magic," "supernatural," & "tradition":
'The ghosts became illusions created by feng shui. It’s a commonly used trick, where the blatantly supernatural is thinly disguised as an element of “traditional Chinese medicine” or qigong, both of which have official approval.'
'The ghosts became illusions created by feng shui. It’s a commonly used trick, where the blatantly supernatural is thinly disguised as an element of “traditional Chinese medicine” or qigong, both of which have official approval.'
The NMAAHC is an incredible museum. Here are a few photos from a visit to the museum a couple of years ago.
And here's a link to the change.org petition to defend it:
chng.it/ypcqxPNdjq
And here's a link to the change.org petition to defend it:
chng.it/ypcqxPNdjq
August 20, 2025 at 2:21 AM
The NMAAHC is an incredible museum. Here are a few photos from a visit to the museum a couple of years ago.
And here's a link to the change.org petition to defend it:
chng.it/ypcqxPNdjq
And here's a link to the change.org petition to defend it:
chng.it/ypcqxPNdjq