Emotions

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

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A Renaissance portrait of a man with long hair and a beard, wearing a dark robe, holding a cloth, with a window showing a cityscape in the background.

Emotions

idea

What makes hate a unique emotion – and why that matters

How does hating someone compare with anger, contempt or disgust? A clearer picture of what makes it unique is emerging

by Cristhian A Martínez

A man playing the violin in an architectural setting with mosaic pillars and a couple of people walking in the background.

Music

idea

Music is a philosophy, rich in ideas that language cannot say

Musical thinking offers a means for composing our lives and a philosophical foundation that embraces both sound and silence

by Xenia Hanusiak

Stone statue against a black background, depicting head and shoulders of a male figure with a severe expression.

Gender

guide

How to be a man

Old ideas of manliness make us miserable. Being labelled ‘toxic’ doesn’t help. A reimagined masculinity is the way forward

by Andrew Reiner

Elderly man in a weathered hat and coat, with a grey beard, lighting a cigarette, set against a blurred outdoor background.

Emotions

film

Scenes unfold like Romantic paintings in a touching meditation on grief

Directed by Hayk Matevosyan

Painting of three women, one holding a hat, standing on a bridge with a blurred landscape in the background.

Emotions

idea

For young people, emotions are highly contagious social viruses

Like viruses, our internal mental states are socially transmissible, and it’s easier to catch happiness than depression

by Jack Andrews

Man in jeans and trainers falls backwards as he avoids three charging bulls on a cobblestone street. Top-down perspective captures the chaos of the scene.

History of emotions

idea

Schadenfreude: why do we find joy in the pain felt by others?

A brief history of schadenfreude – taking pleasure in the misfortune of another – from ancient China to Charlie Chaplin

by David P Barash

A man recently released from prison standing on a rock by a tranquil lake, surrounded by dense green trees and under a partly cloudy sky.

Freedom and choice

film

After decades in prison, Jack navigates the strange, beautiful outside world

Directed by Pete Quandt

A photo from the set of the film Edward Scissorhands of Johnny Depp and Diane Wiest as the characters Edward and Peg

Artists and art history

idea

Love the art, disgusted by the artist? Maybe philosophy can help

Rather than trying to leave behind beloved art by immoral artists, let philosophy offer you a model for engaging with it

by Erich Hatala Matthes

A woman with long blonde hair and a striped blue and yellow jumper takes a selfie, smiling broadly. Behind her, a living room is visible with a large potted plant, a grey couch, and wall shelves with small plants and decor items. A clock is fixed on the wall in the background.

Emotions

idea

What makes ‘toxic positivity’ different from a healthy attitude

Influencers and self-help gurus are preaching a form of positive psychology that risks doing more harm than good

by Lucas Dixon

Abstract red line drawing of a person lying on the ground with one hand reaching towards a large shoe. Curved lines form an overhead shape.

Dance

film

Dancing through emotions, a figure embodies all that can be said without words

A film by Nadia Micault