Kenneth Novis
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saditious.bsky.social
Kenneth Novis
@saditious.bsky.social
3rd year Philosophy DPhil @ox.ac.uk | Researching Spinoza, Bayle, and Atheism in the French Enlightenment | also French and Italian Marxism (Weil, Althusser, Deleuze and Operaismo) | Ultraleftist Metalhead | 27 | he/him

https://linktr.ee/saditious
Pinned
For some reason I tend to get lots of emails from people applying to Oxford around this time of year, and well 1. I'm just a doctoral candidate, I can't supervise your work, 2. Nobody here works on African or Chinese philosophy, or any Continental philosopher after existentialism
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
what do we talk about when we talk about energy? my answer features (among many others) adorno, bogdanov, and the austrian communist wilhelm frank, who experimented with national exergy balances in the 1950s. out april 2026.
January 28, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
this book is fantastic! can confirm
what do we talk about when we talk about energy? my answer features (among many others) adorno, bogdanov, and the austrian communist wilhelm frank, who experimented with national exergy balances in the 1950s. out april 2026.
January 28, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Do academics ever really get over pre-lecture jitters? I'm giving my third ever full-length lecture tomorrow, and I suspect that I'll be unable to think about anything else until that's over and done with
January 27, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
“The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they're the ones who are alone.“

Thank you @adamserwer.bsky.social for writing this and to all the Minnesotans—visible and invisible— whose “neighborism” inspired it.
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I didn't realise that there's a new Companion to Pascal out, but plenty in here looks really good! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10....
A Companion to Pascal
An interdisciplinary exploration of Pascal's philosophy across theology, science, and political thought Blaise Pascal has emerged as a central figure in early modern thought whose legacy transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. A Companion to Pascal addresses the growing scholarly need for an integrated perspective on his philosophy, bringing together essays by leading scholars that contextualize, analyze, and extend Pascal's work. It offers a wide-ranging and in-depth examination of Pascal's multifaceted intellectual contributions that enables readers to progressively build and apply knowledge across the disciplines Pascal influenced, ranging from theology and mathematics to epistemology and political philosophy. The Companion opens by situating Pascal within his intellectual milieu—his interactions with Augustinian theology, his responses to Montaigne and Descartes, and his involvement with the Port-Royal community. Parts II and III move into Pascal's technical contributions, including his foundational role in probability and physics and his unique epistemological stance. Subsequent sections examine Pascal's rhetorical strategies and religious commitments alongside his political and ethical views. The final part assesses Pascal's enduring influence, tracing his impact through figures such as Søren Kierkegaard, William James, and Pierre Duhem. A vital resource for those seeking an understanding of Pascal's philosophical outlook and enduring legacy, A Companion to Pascal: Presents a unique interdisciplinary approach to Pascal that spans philosophy, theology, science, literature, and political thought Offers new perspectives on Pascal's engagement with Descartes, Montaigne, and Augustine Explores lesser-known dimensions of Pascal's work, such as his influence on phenomenology and Marxist theory Analyzes the philosophical implications of Pascal's scientific and mathematical innovations Includes focused chapters on Pascal's Wager, logic, epistemology, and his views on grace and predestination With a comprehensive structure that allows both thematic and chronological exploration of Pascal's thought, A Companion to Pascal is ideal for advanced students and scholars in philosophy, theology, history of science, and French literature. It is particularly valuable for university-level courses in Early Modern Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, and Intellectual History, and serves as an essential reference for academics, educators, and interdisciplinary researchers.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:51 AM
It's a little sad to see that my university is already advertising for my supervisor's role, with his retirement coming up soon. But I suppose that time waits for no one, and it could be good having someone else working on early modern philosophy at St Hugh's.
January 26, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
For those in or near Oxford on 14 February, there are just a few spaces left for the
#philosophyinthebookshop I’m guest hosting with @manongarcia.bsky.social, who will discuss her new book on the Pelicot trial, Living with Men @blackwelloxford.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/philosophy...
PHILOSOPHY IN THE BOOKSHOP with Manon Garcia
Guest host Kate Kirkpatrick discusses 'Living with Men' with French Philosopher, Manon Garcia.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 7:32 PM
It's that day again
January 19, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
The kidnapping of Maduro is a declaration of American imperial power, sending a message across a continent that will be central to future struggles over energy, infrastructure, and extraction.
Venezuela’s Oil in the Grip of US Empire
The Trump administration’s kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro has refocused global attention on Venezuela and its enormous oil reserves. Yet to simply accept Trump’s bellicose language at face value –…
www.versobooks.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Somebody's gotta write a book on the political economy of cute animal videos, because I swear when I see footage of tamed sea lions, seals, foxes, raccoons, or whatever, any impulse to crush the system fades away
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
I'm joining the editorial board of @theblackscholar.bsky.social as a Book Reviews Editor.
Looking for reviews of both scholarly and literary work!
January 15, 2026 at 7:29 PM
It looks like someone's trying to start up the whole Brennerite origins of capitalism debate again plutobooks.com/product/moth...
January 15, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
Adam Hanieh on the US kidnapping of Maduro and its consequences for the geopolitical landscape.

"Behind the US invasion is the explicit goal of rupturing Venezuela’s deep economic and political ties with China."

www.versobooks.com/blogs/news/v...
Venezuela’s Oil in the Grip of US Empire
The Trump administration’s kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro has refocused global attention on Venezuela and its enormous oil reserves. Yet to simply accept Trump’s bellicose language at face value – inclu...
www.versobooks.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
The next meeting of the online Milan Seminar in the History of Modern Moral Philosophy is TOMORROW, Friday Jan. 16th. Ruth Boeker (UCD) is speaking about 'Education and Moral Development in Women’s Philosophical Writings of the Eighteenth Century'
January 15, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
Trump is threatening to use the Insurrection Act to put troops on the streets of the Twin Cities, where federal mercenaries continue to terrorize, kidnap, and shoot civilians.

He is threatening to do this because ICE lost last night.

We've reached the year 1859.

crimethinc.com/MinneapolisR...
January 15, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Another conference acceptance - I will be presenting a paper titled 'Spinoza on Virtue and the Knowledge of God' in April in my old home city of Edinburgh. I lived there for 5 years, and haven't been back since 2022. It'll be strange seeing the place again.
January 13, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Pierre-François Moreau, Experience and Eternity in Spinoza (p.564)
January 12, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Why is it so rare to see the meaning of life getting covered in intro to philosophy classes? People choose to study philosophy at the undergraduate level because of questions like that, not because of the analysis of knowledge or the problem of induction.
January 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I consistently see people saying that if we're not in the USA, we have no right to criticise the American government. There's so much wrong with this. Engaging with the premise, American politics influences politics in our countries too. But the premise should be rejected.
January 11, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
Our latest episode spotlights the 'Comrade Delta' scandal, which led to the decline of the Socialist Workers' Party in Britain. Free to listen on our Patreon. www.patreon.com/posts/comrad...
January 10, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Slightly diminish a band

Denting pumpkins
Slightly diminish a band

Manganese Maiden
Slightly diminish a band

Tankini Kill
January 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
Just a reminder: Police (who aren't necessarily reliable keepers of the peace) wear badges with numbers and name tags. Government enforcers who don't wear name tags, badge numbers, and who do wear masks to conceal their identities are *secret* police, and should be identified as such.
January 9, 2026 at 7:36 AM
I found out today that my talk on Spinoza and Émilie du Châtelet has been accepted for the History of Women Philosophers' Libori Summer School, happening in July.
historyofwomenphilosophers.org/study/summer...
January 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I'm coming to suspect that Spinoza's distinction between the 'common order of Nature' and the 'order of the intellect' is the key to his moral philosophy. The trouble is that there is very little on this distinction in English.
January 9, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Novis
I would really caution anyone against implying that paywalling this feature is a legitimate response to public outcry. The paywall is an endorsement, not a restriction. Musk is saying "this thing you're all talking about is valuable. Pay me for it." The actual material effect is just monetization.
January 9, 2026 at 8:17 AM