Virtues and vices

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

Bioethics Civic life Cultural diversity Ethics Fairness and equality Human rights and justice Meaning and the good life Nature and the environment Neurodiversity Progress and the future Race and ethnicity Values and beliefs Virtues and vices Wisdom

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A group of people shown through reflective surfaces creating a layered effect, one wears a purple ribbon.

Communication and language

idea

To have deeper conversations, try being more of an asshole

Conversation is a game with rules about politeness and norms. To move beyond small talk, you need to risk breaking them

by Idil Çakmur

Photo of a woman with tattoos taking a selfie on a smartphone wearing an off-shoulder dress in front of glass doors.

Virtues and vices

idea

Social comparison is driving us to despair. It doesn’t have to

In the social media age, it seems impossible not to measure ourselves against others – but we can dodge the worst pitfalls

by Wojciech Kaftański

Photo of a policeman helping a child on the road with spilled eggs from cartons next to a motorcycle.

Ethics

guide

How to think about ethical dilemmas

Learning about ethical theories won’t give you easy answers, but will increase your confidence in how you choose to live

by Timm Triplett

Painting of a woman in a flowing white dress and a man lying on a black background with ornamental corners.

Love

film

A girl upends her grandparents’ ‘love story’ in this hilarious animation

Directed by Maryam Mohajer

Illustration of diverse people in warm tones, depicting a crowded scene with varied clothing and hairstyles.

Wisdom

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Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it?

Our team explored who is considered wise in cultures with contrasting philosophical traditions. The results surprised us

by Maksim Rudnev & Igor Grossmann

Painting of a bundle of American banknotes tied with a green ribbon pinned to a wall on a brown background.

Virtues and vices

idea

Greedy people might be frowned upon, but are they the winners?

Some individuals have a persistent tendency to want ever more stuff and status. Psychologists are examining the lives they lead

by Karlijn Hoyer

Photo of a large orange pumpkin on a table with a red first prize card in front, indoors with plants in the background.

Difficult emotions

guide

How to put your envy to good use

Envious feelings can eat you up, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to transform envy into a guide and motivator

by Josh Gressel

Abstract painting of people in a park; a man in a suit walks, a woman in a green dress stands, and another person sits on a bench reading.

Virtues and vices

film

A simple morality tale finds rich depth in the hands of a master animator

A film by Georges Schwizgebel

Black and white photo of a man smiling next to a woman laughing at a formal event. Other guests visible in the background.

Sex and sexuality

idea

Everything I know about flirting, I learned from the Cold War

The rewards of flirtation go beyond sex or romance. But, as in other exchanges, you have to know where the red line is

by Youngbin Yoon

Photo of a person standing before a large, colourful cosmic map display with clumps of blue and orange speckles.

Virtues and vices

idea

The medieval notion that shows why even experts should be humble

Nicholas of Cusa and others saw the importance of ‘learned ignorance’ or recognising there is always something more to learn

by Christopher M Bellitto

Travel

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How to be a more ethical traveller

You are itching to get out there and want to do it with care. How do you avoid traps like voluntourism and greenwashing?

by Carolin Lusby