What is it like to have an understanding of very advanced mathematics? A naive Quora question gets a remarkably long, thorough answer from an anonymous respondent. The answer cites, among many other things, Tim Gowers's influential essay "The Two Cultures of Mathematics," about the tension between problem-solving and theory-building. Related: Terry Tao asks "Does one have to be a genius to do maths?" (Spoiler: he says no.)
posted by escabeche on Dec 24, 2011 - 56 comments

What Will Change Everything? - the 2009 Edge Annual Question [more inside]
posted by Gyan on Dec 31, 2008 - 25 comments

Ask a Philosopher. Is the sentence of death really a punishment? How can we discern the difference of how we authentically "feel" as opposed to how we "think" we feel? If humans didn't exist, would animals still have rights?
posted by desjardins on Mar 31, 2008 - 30 comments

What have you changed your mind about? Why? - the latest installment of The Edge Annual Question [more inside]
posted by Gyan on Dec 31, 2007 - 27 comments

AskPhilosophers what they think about philosophical problems! A philosophical version of Ask MetaFilter. Not much is up yet, but the lineup of panelists is brimming with top-notch academics. Hopefully the site will take off.
posted by painquale on Oct 4, 2005 - 11 comments

Ask a philosopher.
posted by tellurian on Sep 6, 2005 - 32 comments

Battleground God. Consistency is the sign of a small mind. How small minded are you?
posted by Mossy on May 30, 2002 - 47 comments