Jonathan Floyd

@jonathanfloyd.bsky.social

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Professor of Political Theory working on methods/purposes of political philosophy. Chair of ECPR group in 'Methods of Normative Political Theory'. Writing book on Methodology + articles on PublicPoliticalPhilosophy (https://www.drjonathanfloyd.com)

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Do you know a pol-theory PhD student who needs 2 write a methods section? A PG student who wants 2 figure out how 2 do what they want 2 do? A post-doc who wants 2 develop a new methodological idea? If so, pls. share+repost! ecpr.eu/Events/285 @ecpr.bsky.social @ecprtheloop.bsky.social

How to do Political Philosophy: Methods and Methodologyecpr.eu European Consortium for Political Research

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Jonathan Floyd

Learn methods & methodology of contemporary political philosophy with @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social, an esteemed expert in the field ⤵️ ❇️ Craft sophisticated arguments ❇️ Analyse arguments of others ❇️ Make meaningful contributions 📅 5–9 Aug, Online Course ✍️ Register ecpr.eu/Events/285

I-M Young died at 57, Arendt wrote Human Condition in '58; Midgley wrote 1st book at 59. All thoughts vaguely prompted by the fact that 2day is the birthday of Olympe de Gouges, who once wrote that if you COULD put women on the scaffold, you SHOULD also give them the rostrum. She was executed at 45.

Delighted 2 find these books delivered to my office this morning, thanks to the marvellous Vittoria Bufacchi, esp. with a lovely handwritten dedication in the Tullytome on the left I've been looking forward to exploring. Sometimes book are even better than breakfast 4 starting the day #Bookfast?

I really felt 'seen' by Duolingo this morning 🤣

If they've definitely found Plato's grave, then I'm definitely visiting. Maybe we can start a new tradition, instead of pilgrimage, called a 'Platonage'? Happy 2 organise with other philosophers who prefer sunlight 2 caves... www-thearchaeologist-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.thea...

What a treat2meet RowanWilliams 2day! Must admit I ambushed+talked #PublicPoliticalPhilosophy AT rather than WITH him, contra what I preach 🤣 He though listened+responded in way showing he's long had that CONVERSATIONAL spirit our divided society needs. Hope now 2 COLLABORATE 🙏

With so much rain lately, it's easy 2 find local examples of philosophy's favourite visual theme: Reflection. Maybe we should reflect on that? Maybe better if Rawls>reflective-equilibrium than Narcissus>self-love? Maybe best when balanced with observation? books.google.co.uk/books/about/...

Yesterday u met Artemis. 2day her twin-sister Stella took the prime co-working spot. Call it CatGPT. Must admit the names Stella/Arty partly come via StellaArtois. Clearly deep nostalgia 4 comingofage in laddish/lagerish 90s. @chrisbrooke.bsky.social @jowolff.bsky.social @friderikespang.bsky.social

Unusually at home w.out family 2day, meaning Artemis & I working hard on full draft I now have of monograph on Methods/Methodology in pol theory/philosophy 4 OUP. Collaborative effort 2 share soon w. e.g. @jowolff.bsky.social @chrisbrooke.bsky.social @andysabl.bsky.social @rbellamy.bsky.social

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Jonathan Floyd

I'm hiring two three-year postdocs in political theory for my ERC/UKRI project Systemic Risk and the Transformation of Democracy. One postdoc would ideally have already worked on climate change. Please spread the word! www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/086948-...

We're having our #ecprjs2024 last session outside 😎 Maybe wish you were here? Maybe want to join us in 2025? Maybe even have an idea for a theme or want to organise? Might b time to join our group and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you @ecpr.bsky.social

Our best weather so far at dawn here today in Lüneburg. A town built on salt now bathed in sunshine. #ecprjs24 @ecpr.bsky.social

Today's solo dawn walk took me out of town and down into the Lüneburg Heide (heath). Nothing but birds and birdsong to bother me before my talk on 'experimental political theory' at 9. @ecpr.bsky.social @ecprtheloop.bsky.social @jmchickson.bsky.social

Solo dawn walk in Lüneburg. Nice start 2 what's already proving an excellent #ecprjs2024 workshop on blending 'critical'+'analytical' traditions w. @ecpr.bsky.social @ecprtheloop.bsky.social @svenjaahlhaus.bsky.social Already had great session on how 2 theorise 'crises' + b 'critically responsive'

Currently travelling Birmingham>Frankfurt>Hamburg>Lueneburg 4 #ECPRJS2024 @ECPR w. @ECPR_PTMethods @jleadermaynard @JanoschPrinz @SvenjaAhlhaus @PerezNahshon. Writing paper about how 2b 'carefully critical'. Worrying who such carefulness favours. Lufthansa suggest 1 possible answer.

Edmund Burke wishes a very good morning to Bristol+beyond, + tells each commuter walking by: Vote local think national; vote Tory think history; vote Conservative think common good. Quite a lot to take in during rush hour. @spaisbristol @spaisstudents @ECPR_PTMethods @polthought

Talking truth/truthfulness/post-truth @SPAISBristol 4 @SpaisStudents 2day. If images can be more or less true, this one is fairly true to/of Bristol, from the gull to the coloured terrace. Familiar to those familiar. Taken from P7 of Temple Meads

Taking in dawn at the Clifton Observatory. Looking forward to hearing each of my students today present on an image that 'made a difference' in the history of political argument. Not enough to be famous or make it as a poster on a bedroom wall. Can't wait to see their choices...

Teaching @SPAISBristol @SpaisStudents 2day about 'How to a political argument' using images. One take on this holds that images convey ideas, so u 'win' with them as you win with ideas. Think though of recent 'deepfakes'. If there are fake images, are there are also fake ideas?

Stop what you're doing! Look and share! March 1st newsletter out for the ECPR Standing Group in 'Methods of Normative Political Theory'. Feb had one day extra to submit its essays, but now March can truly begin... standinggroups.ecpr.eu/nptmethods/n...

Feeling down in Bristol? Head for the Downs at dawn. Here's Purdown this morning. Makes the day feel as open as the sky. @spaisstudents @spaisbristol

Hard to find energy at the end of the day. Easier to find beauty.

Happiness? Getting a table to yourself on the first train of the day; ticking off the emails via mobile hotspot; opening up the document and finding it does read as you remembered it; exchanging friendly greetings with the ticket inspector before busyness and fatigue kick in.

Visual metaphor alert! Completing a PhD is a scary BRIDGE to cross, requiring a certain SUSPENSION of disbelief regarding the challenges of writing a long thesis, coping with a lonely lifestyle, and navigating a lean job market. Nonetheless...

Yes it's hard to come out of the cave and face the sharp light of truth, but if you're going to do it, dawn in Clifton in February works well. Warmth and beauty on tap for those with seasonal struggles.

Insults (sadly?) matter in the battle of ideas. Students had several favourites in today's lecture. WC: 'a sheep in sheep's clothing'. VC: 'from Stalin to Mr Bean'. QC: 'Mother of Parliaments shut down by Father of Lies'. My fear remains: when everyone's joking, the jokers win.

Talking to my students in Bristol today about the power of a good slogan or catchphrase, in both politics and philosophy. Not hard to find local examples on the way in.

It's a metaphor for something, but what? Artemis outside the door, looking in, contemplating the lights, whilst I look out at her looking in, contemplating the lights...perhaps distraction is the theme? A bit like looking at cat photos on BlueSky when u should be making every minute of Friday count.

You know what would make Versailles even better? A windmill. Greetings from Potsdam, where the Prussians gobbled everything they could from the European architectural buffet. Enjoying talking tractors and traitors in today's talk on #PublicPoliticalPhilosophy