Philosophy for Everyone was suggested by Professor Duncan Pritchard

As part of the Ragged Library, Professor Duncan Pritchard FRSE, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences, suggested ‘Philosophy for Everyone by Matthew Chrisman, Duncan Pritchard, Jane Suilin Lavelle, Michela Massimi, Alasdair Richmond and Dave Ward (Routledge, 2013)’…

This book was a collaborative effort by a group of philosophy faculty from the University of Edinburgh. It arose out of a ‘MOOC’ (a Massive Open Online Course) that the Edinburgh Department of Philosophy began running in 2013 (entitled, ‘Introduction to Philosophy’). This course, which was entirely free and open to all, was designed to introduce people, whatever their background, to the basic issues of philosophy.
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Aye Minister; What Civil Servants Do: A Podcast of Colin MacLean's Talk

On the 3rd of October 2013, Colin MacLean gave a talk on ‘what civil servants do’.  This is a summary and podcast of the event where Colin was kind enough to take the time to share his thoughts and insights with everyone:

The role of civil servants in Scotland is to support Ministers, to support the democratic process and to improve outcomes for Scotland.  These are not in conflict but they all need to be addressed.  The work of the civil service is governed by a Code of Values: impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty.
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Sustainable Energy: Without The Hot Air was recommended by Dr Neil Robertson

Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air

As part of the Ragged Library, Dr Neil Robertson, at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry suggested “Sustainable energy – without the hot air” by David J. C. MacKay

Sustainable energy is set to be the defining challenge of the 21st century, hence everyone needs to read a clear and accurate book on the subject. This book systematically examines the main options for renewable energy and sets out to realistically estimate how much energy we could obtain and what steps we would have to take to get there. The key to the book is its approach of “Numbers, not adjectives” combined with its accessible, non-technical style.

This book is also available as a free ebook (in multiple formats) from the authors website at

www.withouthotair.com

Independent Business: An Interview With Ali Gower Owner Of The Chocolate Tree

This is an interview with Ali Gower exploring various aspects of The Chocolate Tree as a sustainable, ethical business in the 21st century:

The two owners, Alastair Gower & Friederike Matthis, met whilst performing as “red men” in the Beltane festival of Edinburgh. The positive reactions we received at the festivals highly motivated us, and we progressed The Chocolate Tree to become our full time passion and business. Read more…

Peoples Leith Heritage Centre Project by Sandra Marshall

My Name is Sandra Marshall. A group of colleagues and myself have put together a Community Development Project called the Leith Heritage Centre project. The steering group comprises myself Sandra Marshall (Co-ordinator), Adam McVey (Leith Councillor), Imran Hussein (Solicitor), Alexander Heron (Youth Co-ordinator), Garry Miller (Artist and Community Worker) and Colin MacDougall (Business Expert and Community Worker).
We also have an extended group of supporters/partners which includes The Leith Gallery, Living Memories, Leith, The Leith Business Association, The Arts Complex, The Persevere Community Flat, The Bugle, Bethany, ActiveInquiry, Karen Toscani, Alchemy Arts, Leith Festival, The Himalayan Centre, and Ragged University. Read more…

Systems Thinking: Purpose by Andy Lipok

The first in a series of blogs to investigate new or different approaches to how we make our work, work better for staff and customers. This week we start with the concept of purpose.  In the midst of social and economic unrest across the globe, in combination with advancing technology creating instant collaboration and news on a global scale, the views of social groups & entire populations are being heard on an ever more forceful scale.
As a result of this backdrop the question of purpose, of banks in particular, has been challenging the Chairs of major companies, presumably not helped by Lloyd Blankfein suggesting Goldman Sachs was doing ‘God’s work’! Whilst the question of ‘What is our purpose?’ should be seemingly easy to ascertain for a Retail Bank, the question of how we focus on this purpose and the subsequent questions this raises holds a more complex series of challenges to traditional management practices.
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