Eudaimonia

On the perennial puzzle of how to live well in our complex world

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Photo of a café interior showing a person working on a laptop inside by the window while another person is entering through the door.

Goals and motivation

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How temptation works, and why it nearly stopped me writing this

Temptation can be sneaky – a rationalising voice that subtly undermines your resolve. But there are ways to outsmart it

by John Schwenkler

Photo of a man in a yellow T-shirt with a large black letter “Q” standing among seated people at an indoor event.

Thinking and intelligence

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The surprising role of deep thinking in conspiracy theories

People who endorse and spread outlandish theories aren’t gullible, they’re drawn to the intoxicating lure of discovery

by Stephen Gadsby & Sander Van de Cruys

Photo of a person driving a car, seen through a car window, lit by warm sunlight, wearing glasses, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand resting in front of their face.

Consciousness

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How to think about consciousness

What is it like to be you? Dive into the philosophical puzzle of consciousness and see yourself and the world in new ways

by Amy Kind

Painting of lilac flowers with green leaves on a dark background. The flowers vary in shades of purple, pink, and white.

Beauty and aesthetics

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‘Nothing renders their beauty’ – can art ever capture the splendour of a flower?

A film by Miléna Trivier

A person in an orange sweater with arms crossed, sitting at a table with a closed orange phone case on it.

Technology and media

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A psychologist’s tips for getting a grip on your social media use

Is social media causing you problems? Here are some personal and practical ways to reap its benefits with fewer drawbacks

by Daria J Kuss

Photo of green leaves on branches against a bright blue sky with wispy clouds behind.

Wonder and the sublime

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The most profound wonder is stirred by what is most ordinary

Rare moments of wonder at the mere existence of things – rather than the dramatic or new – involve perceiving with the soul

by Maria Balaska

Black-and-white photograph of a person in a jacket standing outdoors in a foggy environment, looking up with eyes closed.

Spirituality and religion

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How to find new spiritual practices

Even if religion isn’t for you, there’s a world of rituals and tools to lift yourself up and connect to something greater

by Morgan Shipley

Two people enjoying a scenic sunset with one raising their arms and the other looking sideways, in an outdoor setting.

Identity

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Three sisters craft a lyrical tribute to their mother from old family VHS tapes

Directed by Jay Stephen and Ralph Briscoe

A young woman and an older man at a poker table with colourful chips, the man wears a suit and lights a cigar, the woman wears jeans and a fluffy turquoise top.

Work and vocation

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The ways Sugar Babies navigate two roles: lover and employee

‘Sugaring’ involves the commodification of romance – presenting a puzzle of love, labour and autonomy for those involved

by Brynn Valentine

Photo of a child in a pink shirt concentrating on writing in a notebook while an adult assists, showing a learning activity.

Parenting and families

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Why are tiger parents willing to trade love for success?

Growing up under tiger parenting, I’ve seen that pushing a child to succeed often fails – and isn’t worth the emotional cost

by Louis Li

Two women in printed dresses stand at a concrete railing, overlooking a beach and cliffs with the sea stretching into the horizon.

Emerging therapies

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How to look after your emotional health

Find out which of your emotional needs you’ve been neglecting and use tips from human givens therapy to address them

by Denise Winn

Brightly coloured, psychedelic illustration of a boy in a field holding a prosthetic arm with a blue sky in the background.

Altered states

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A boy’s universe becomes strange and wondrous in this enchanting short

Directed by Gabriel Gabriel Garble