Jo Wolff
@jowolff.bsky.social
Jonathan Wolff,
Political Philosopher.
Fellow British Academy
Emeritus Professor Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford
Wolfson College
President The Royal Institute of Philosophy
THFC supporter in 'early season false hope’ mode.
#academic
Political Philosopher.
Fellow British Academy
Emeritus Professor Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford
Wolfson College
President The Royal Institute of Philosophy
THFC supporter in 'early season false hope’ mode.
#academic
The Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague.
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague.
Thesis committee. Charles Bridge Prague.
November 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Thesis committee. Charles Bridge Prague.
Gandhi’s Talisman. Unfortunately for too many world leaders their doubts are dissolving in a way Gandhi did not anticipate.
!["I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test.
Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it?
Will it restore him [her to a control over his [her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:givg3amslsq46o3f25ga5esh/bafkreihph4ozfme2iadhcvg2jcexzemiif2xgxmhg2jexeknndhuhx2ewy@jpeg)
November 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Gandhi’s Talisman. Unfortunately for too many world leaders their doubts are dissolving in a way Gandhi did not anticipate.
Just posting a link to the recent French translation of my An Introduction to Political Philosophy, first because I'm very pleased to have a French edition, and second, because I like the cover so much.
eliotteditions.fr/44-introduct...
eliotteditions.fr/44-introduct...
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Just posting a link to the recent French translation of my An Introduction to Political Philosophy, first because I'm very pleased to have a French edition, and second, because I like the cover so much.
eliotteditions.fr/44-introduct...
eliotteditions.fr/44-introduct...
I mentioned a little while ago that the opening scene of machine gun slaughter in Slow Horses took place in a little shopping area near where I live. Had to go there today for the Post Office. Looking a bit quieter than on TV.
November 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I mentioned a little while ago that the opening scene of machine gun slaughter in Slow Horses took place in a little shopping area near where I live. Had to go there today for the Post Office. Looking a bit quieter than on TV.
Phone reminding me where I was May. Grote Markt Antwerp.
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Phone reminding me where I was May. Grote Markt Antwerp.
Ha!!! What do you think of the likeness?
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Ha!!! What do you think of the likeness?
Yes I was at Spurs tonight. And yes they do win sometimes. Copenhagen rarely in the game but their fans seemed pretty happy to be there.
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Yes I was at Spurs tonight. And yes they do win sometimes. Copenhagen rarely in the game but their fans seemed pretty happy to be there.
Wanted to post something a bit more cheerful so here are some philosophers looking like self-portraits on a primary school tea-towel on a mug someone gave me.
November 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Wanted to post something a bit more cheerful so here are some philosophers looking like self-portraits on a primary school tea-towel on a mug someone gave me.
Intimidating online audience this morning.
November 4, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Intimidating online audience this morning.
Marianne von Werefkin’s
Bei Cuno Amiet (1919) to lift your Sunday morning.
Bei Cuno Amiet (1919) to lift your Sunday morning.
November 2, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Marianne von Werefkin’s
Bei Cuno Amiet (1919) to lift your Sunday morning.
Bei Cuno Amiet (1919) to lift your Sunday morning.
Dancing Skeletons by Edward Burra, 1937. Saw it at an exhibition of his work at the Tate the other day. Feels like today’s a good day to post it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Dancing Skeletons by Edward Burra, 1937. Saw it at an exhibition of his work at the Tate the other day. Feels like today’s a good day to post it.
Now imagine a Democratic Party candidate revealed to have a hammer and sickle tattoo. And claims that they only knew about the baking soda.
October 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Now imagine a Democratic Party candidate revealed to have a hammer and sickle tattoo. And claims that they only knew about the baking soda.
The photo Wikipedia has chosen to show of philosopher David Lewis versus the photo of him as he is more generally known.
October 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The photo Wikipedia has chosen to show of philosopher David Lewis versus the photo of him as he is more generally known.
Landschaft um Seebüll, by Emile Nolde, who, as far as I know, was the only artist to object to being included on the list of degenerate artists on the grounds that he was a Nazi sympathiser.
October 26, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Landschaft um Seebüll, by Emile Nolde, who, as far as I know, was the only artist to object to being included on the list of degenerate artists on the grounds that he was a Nazi sympathiser.
A sunny day
In London town
Had me forget
The orange clown
In London town
Had me forget
The orange clown
October 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A sunny day
In London town
Had me forget
The orange clown
In London town
Had me forget
The orange clown
Rage rage against the dying of the summer light.
October 21, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Rage rage against the dying of the summer light.
This well-known aquatint by Goya came to mind as symbolising where we are right now. It’s called The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters.
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 AM
This well-known aquatint by Goya came to mind as symbolising where we are right now. It’s called The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters.
OMG. I accidentally got an AI summary of The Smith’s Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. Please note the delving.
October 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
OMG. I accidentally got an AI summary of The Smith’s Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. Please note the delving.
Haven’t posted any Gabriele Münter for a while. Here’s her:
Dame im Park, Mariahalde, 1914
Dame im Park, Mariahalde, 1914
October 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Haven’t posted any Gabriele Münter for a while. Here’s her:
Dame im Park, Mariahalde, 1914
Dame im Park, Mariahalde, 1914
Won't last, but just recording what might be a historic moment. At it stands table. Will make my Bournemouth cousins deliriously happy for a little while.
October 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Won't last, but just recording what might be a historic moment. At it stands table. Will make my Bournemouth cousins deliriously happy for a little while.
Lee Miller, Frankfurt immediately post-war. Note that the scales of justice are missing a pan.
October 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Lee Miller, Frankfurt immediately post-war. Note that the scales of justice are missing a pan.