Bryan W. Van Norden
@bryanvannorden.bsky.social
Leading expert on Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism
Pinned
Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto
Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto [Van Norden, Bryan W., Garfield, Jay L.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto
amazon.com
Read the controversial new book: Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto by Bryan W. Van Norden! Available NOW via @amazon ! amazon.com/dp/0231184379/
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Here’s a good introduction to Daoism with some fun contemporary applications. Great work from @bryanvannorden.bsky.social
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI
Wisdom of China: Laozi
YouTube video by Bryan Van Norden
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Here’s a good introduction to Daoism with some fun contemporary applications. Great work from @bryanvannorden.bsky.social
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
I really enjoyed this video about Laozi youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?... made by @bryanvannorden.bsky.social Looking forward to the rest of the series
Wisdom of China: Laozi
YouTube video by Bryan Van Norden
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 8:20 AM
I really enjoyed this video about Laozi youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?... made by @bryanvannorden.bsky.social Looking forward to the rest of the series
The bilingual version of the documentary I hosted, "Wisdom of China: Laozi," is now available. Feel free to use it in your classes, and please like and comment on the video to help promote it.
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?...
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?...
Wisdom of China: Laozi
YouTube video by Bryan Van Norden
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The bilingual version of the documentary I hosted, "Wisdom of China: Laozi," is now available. Feel free to use it in your classes, and please like and comment on the video to help promote it.
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?...
youtu.be/lvglQJDrgJI?...
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
October 25, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Q: My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk. How are you holding up?
TRUMP: I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they've been trying to get for about 150 years.
TRUMP: I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they've been trying to get for about 150 years.
September 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Q: My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk. How are you holding up?
TRUMP: I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they've been trying to get for about 150 years.
TRUMP: I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they've been trying to get for about 150 years.
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Donald Trump: “smart people don’t like me”
September 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Donald Trump: “smart people don’t like me”
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Bryan, I enjoyed today’s substack video post “The Rest Understand the West Better...
...than the West Understands the Rest.” I wish I had taken more Philosophy at Vassar than the one class I had with Jesse Kalin.
...than the West Understands the Rest.” I wish I had taken more Philosophy at Vassar than the one class I had with Jesse Kalin.
Bryan Van Norden, "The Rest Understands the West Better than the West Understands the Rest," United Nations Pre Summit of the Future, 22 September 2024
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
00. Van Norden at the United Nations Pre Summit of the Future 22 September 2024
vassar.hosted.panopto.com
September 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Bryan, I enjoyed today’s substack video post “The Rest Understand the West Better...
...than the West Understands the Rest.” I wish I had taken more Philosophy at Vassar than the one class I had with Jesse Kalin.
...than the West Understands the Rest.” I wish I had taken more Philosophy at Vassar than the one class I had with Jesse Kalin.
Bryan Van Norden, "The Rest Understands the West Better than the West Understands the Rest," United Nations Pre Summit of the Future, 22 September 2024
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
00. Van Norden at the United Nations Pre Summit of the Future 22 September 2024
vassar.hosted.panopto.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Bryan Van Norden, "The Rest Understands the West Better than the West Understands the Rest," United Nations Pre Summit of the Future, 22 September 2024
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
vassar.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Trump is attacking the Smithsonian museum, saying there’s too much focus on "how bad slavery was."
Authoritarians know that if they can convince us our country has never been wrong, they can make us believe our ruler is always right.
This is part of a larger plan. Watch: youtu.be/rEH7sF6pA4s?...
Authoritarians know that if they can convince us our country has never been wrong, they can make us believe our ruler is always right.
This is part of a larger plan. Watch: youtu.be/rEH7sF6pA4s?...
Why Does Trump Hate Sesame Street?
YouTube video by Robert Reich
youtu.be
August 19, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Trump is attacking the Smithsonian museum, saying there’s too much focus on "how bad slavery was."
Authoritarians know that if they can convince us our country has never been wrong, they can make us believe our ruler is always right.
This is part of a larger plan. Watch: youtu.be/rEH7sF6pA4s?...
Authoritarians know that if they can convince us our country has never been wrong, they can make us believe our ruler is always right.
This is part of a larger plan. Watch: youtu.be/rEH7sF6pA4s?...
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Crow: "Look at what happened. US military personnel in uniform literally were on hands & knees rolling out a red carpet for the most murderous dictator of the 21st century...we keep on acting like Putin deserves to be brought out in open like any of head of state. This is a historic embarrassment."
August 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Crow: "Look at what happened. US military personnel in uniform literally were on hands & knees rolling out a red carpet for the most murderous dictator of the 21st century...we keep on acting like Putin deserves to be brought out in open like any of head of state. This is a historic embarrassment."
In for $327, out for $557 AND won $250 high hand jackpot for a nine-high straight flush. 😎
August 16, 2025 at 1:55 AM
In for $327, out for $557 AND won $250 high hand jackpot for a nine-high straight flush. 😎
Is it a bad thing that students read more contemporary authors who directly address issues like race, gender, and ideology that are particularly relevant to them? (BTW just found out I am blocked by Pinker, despite never having interacted with him.)
August 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Is it a bad thing that students read more contemporary authors who directly address issues like race, gender, and ideology that are particularly relevant to them? (BTW just found out I am blocked by Pinker, despite never having interacted with him.)
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
August 13, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
One of the best experiences I had in graduate school was joining a reading group on @bryanvannorden.bsky.social's Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy (and the accompanying books of readings). There is still so much missing from mainstream philosophy.
“It was a very heated response, and one that reflected immense ignorance”
fivebooks.com/best-books/w...
fivebooks.com/best-books/w...
World Philosophy
Want to expand your knowledge of world philosophy but don't know where to start? Bryan Van Norden chooses foundational texts of traditions around the globe.
fivebooks.com
July 21, 2025 at 5:35 AM
One of the best experiences I had in graduate school was joining a reading group on @bryanvannorden.bsky.social's Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy (and the accompanying books of readings). There is still so much missing from mainstream philosophy.
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Having just spent a few months reading accounts of CBS’ grotesque cowardice during the 1950s McCarthy-era blacklist, it’s nice to see that The Tiffany Network respects its traditions
July 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Having just spent a few months reading accounts of CBS’ grotesque cowardice during the 1950s McCarthy-era blacklist, it’s nice to see that The Tiffany Network respects its traditions
At the poker room at Resorts World Catskills tonight. Was down $300 when the board blanked out after calling all-in with the hand shown for Player 2 below. (But I'll take 65% equity every day and twice on Sundays!) 1/2
June 28, 2025 at 3:56 AM
At the poker room at Resorts World Catskills tonight. Was down $300 when the board blanked out after calling all-in with the hand shown for Player 2 below. (But I'll take 65% equity every day and twice on Sundays!) 1/2
Some things I learned from The Murder of Professor Schlick by @davidedmonds100.bsky.social
Lenin wrote a critique of Mach's positivism, which he considered reactionary.
Otto Neurath signed his letters with elephant cartoons reflecting his mood.
Lenin wrote a critique of Mach's positivism, which he considered reactionary.
Otto Neurath signed his letters with elephant cartoons reflecting his mood.
June 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Some things I learned from The Murder of Professor Schlick by @davidedmonds100.bsky.social
Lenin wrote a critique of Mach's positivism, which he considered reactionary.
Otto Neurath signed his letters with elephant cartoons reflecting his mood.
Lenin wrote a critique of Mach's positivism, which he considered reactionary.
Otto Neurath signed his letters with elephant cartoons reflecting his mood.
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
As @bryanvannorden.bsky.social reminded me a few hours ago while I was attending to light carpentry, logical positivists saw themselves as fighting fascist rhetoric.
He also recalled tidbits about Moritz Schlick's assassination, but no spoilers.
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
He also recalled tidbits about Moritz Schlick's assassination, but no spoilers.
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
Has anyone drew the parallels between American pragmatism as a response to the civil war and logical positivism to WW1?
June 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
As @bryanvannorden.bsky.social reminded me a few hours ago while I was attending to light carpentry, logical positivists saw themselves as fighting fascist rhetoric.
He also recalled tidbits about Moritz Schlick's assassination, but no spoilers.
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
He also recalled tidbits about Moritz Schlick's assassination, but no spoilers.
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Mindscape 319 | Bryan Van Norden @bryanvannorden.bsky.social on Philosophy From the Rest of the World. There are many interesting footnotes, not all of them to Plato!
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
June 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Mindscape 319 | Bryan Van Norden @bryanvannorden.bsky.social on Philosophy From the Rest of the World. There are many interesting footnotes, not all of them to Plato!
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025...
Reposted by Bryan W. Van Norden
Had to take a look at this again - what a great book! Interesting to read about the interactions between contemporary Aristotelians and Confucians. @bryanvannorden.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Had to take a look at this again - what a great book! Interesting to read about the interactions between contemporary Aristotelians and Confucians. @bryanvannorden.bsky.social
Me at the bar before dinner in The Living Room on my cruise.
#MyVikingStory
#MyVikingStory
June 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Me at the bar before dinner in The Living Room on my cruise.
#MyVikingStory
#MyVikingStory
Me in front of the Colosseum in Rome.
#MyVikingStory
#MyVikingStory
June 7, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Me in front of the Colosseum in Rome.
#MyVikingStory
#MyVikingStory