Today we have the delight of speaking to James Garvey, Editor and Co-Publisher of The Philosophers’ Magazine.

Devoted to publishing philosophy that’s clear, enlightening, thought-provoking and entertaining, The Philosophers’ Magazine is full of contributions from professional philosophers of international standing. Recent contributors include Simon Blackburn, Mary Midgely, Sarah Bakewell and Ray Monk.

Available for individual and institutional subscriptions, the complete digital archive comprises over 85 issues that date back to 1998. Fully-searchable and accessible across web, iOS and Android devices, the resource is an essential academic aid to open minds around the world.

Issues from The Philosophers’ Magazine Digital Archive

Now you’re all clued up about the magazine, it’s time for the interview. Over to you, James!

1) What’s your role within the The Philosophers’ Magazine?

I’m the Editor and Co-Publisher, with Jeremy Stangroom.

2) What attracted you to the magazine publishing industry?

At a certain point in the magazine’s history, around the financial crisis, publishers were about to drop it. So, the only way to keep it alive was to take it on ourselves. 

I wasn’t attracted to magazine publishing; I was kind of dragged into it protesting. I’m happy to say that, through a lot of hard work, The Philosophers’ Magazine is now a going concern.

3) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pretzels.

4) If you weren’t working for the magazine, what would you be doing?

I like writing more than editing, so I’d spend more time doing that if I could.

5) Do you have an all-time favourite The Philosophers’ Magazine issue?

Obviously every issue is extremely excellent, but Issue 80 features 10 philosophers writing about the future of philosophy, and issue 72 was devoted to 50 philosophers picking out what they take to be the most important new ideas in philosophy. The contributors were agreeably all over the place.

Issue 80 of The Philosophers’ Magazine

6) Which country have you enjoyed visiting most?

Scotland, the Highlands.

7) What do you think will have changed in the publishing industry in 5 years?

This is kind of boring, but we usually need to get a grip on ourselves when we talk about the future. 

I don’t think the basic structure of publishing has changed much for many hundreds of years, so it’s unlikely to suddenly go sideways in five years. Superficially, we might access or present words in different ways in the near future, but all the while we’ll probably still do whatever publishing is, more or less in the same way it’s always been done.

 — — — 

Thanks for taking part, James! If you’d like to star in your very own publisher interview, contact us at publisher@exacteditions.com 🌟