Cooperation and collaboration

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Ancient stone relief of four figures with intricate facial expressions and draped clothing, displayed against a blue background.

Communication and language

idea

How do good conversations work? Philosophy has something to say

The idea of what makes for a successful conversation is always tricky, and has always been contested by philosophers

by Stephanie Ross

A woman seen from behind is advising another woman on something. They are standing at the edge of a wide road

Communication and language

idea

Recognise the point of giving advice and you can do it better

A philosophical look at advising highlights what makes it a distinct form of interaction – and why it often goes wrong

by Joshua Habgood-Coote

A crowded Tube carriage with passengers standing and sitting, some holding onto blue handrails, others using their phones.

Communication and language

guide

How to ask for help

You’re not weak or lazy – everyone needs support. Follow these steps to learn when to reach out, who to go to and what to say

by Debbie Sorensen

Photo of people on a makeshift raft, constructed from various items and barrels, floating on water under a grey, foggy sky.

Altered states

film

After an apocalyptic storm, survivors band together on a surreal journey

Directed by Benh Zeitlin

Three women communicate across windows of different buildings, one in the foreground with glasses, two others in the background with an open window.

Compassion and empathy

idea

Improve your relationships with the science of perspective-taking

Social psychology research is breaking down the process of perspective-taking and revealing ways to help us get along better

by Hunter Gehlbach

Photo of a waiter serving pizza to a smiling man and woman at a table with beer, against a wood-panelled background.

Cooperation and collaboration

idea

If smiles are so easy to fake, why do we trust them?

Smiles can be a way to dupe people because they’re easy to fake – but we’ve figured out which smiles can be trusted

by Alexander Danvers

Two men in conversation on a city street, gesturing expressively. A building and pedestrians are visible in the background. Black and white image.

Cooperation and collaboration

guide

How to have better arguments

Arguing well isn’t just about winning. A philosophical approach will help you and the other person get much more out of it

by Scott Aikin & John Casey

History of emotions

idea

The politics of internationalism rest on the intimacy of feelings

Political communities are based on feelings of familiarity and affinity, so how do you make people internationalists?

by Ilaria Scaglia

Wooden artist’s mannequin posed mid-step against a black background, photo.

Technology and media

idea

What falling robots reveal about the absurdity of human trust

A ‘trust fall’ prompts an absurd state of simultaneous vulnerability and safety – a paradox that robots can’t compute

by Amy LaViers & Ilya Vidrin

Volunteers in blue vests handing out hot meals to people on a city street.

Civic life

guide

How to be a hands-on citizen

You can be so much more than a well-informed consumer: it is in your (and our) power to change society from the ground up

by Jon Alexander