Virtues and vices

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

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Thinking and intelligence

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Why some of the smartest people can be so very stupid

Struggling to understand is perfectly honourable. Being wilfully stupid is something else and we should strive to fix it

by Sacha Golob

Personality disorders

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What the new science of narcissism says about narcissists

What the new science of narcissism tells us about its nuances, and how to avoid its darts while gaining from its strengths

by W Keith Campbell & Carolyn Crist

Photo of a man skateboarding beside the ocean with an old car watching a woman in a swimsuit on a sunny day.

Virtues and vices

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How to think about pleasure

Weirdly hard to define, much less to feel OK about it, pleasure is a tricky creature. Can philosophy help us lighten up?

by Sam Dresser

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

Photo of a tattooed barber trimming a man’s hair in a striped cape, with a reflection in the mirror.

The self

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When your authenticity is an act, something’s gone wrong

Authenticity has changed from an inward gaze to a social display. Can we reconcile the performance with the real thing?

by Joseph E Davis

A countryside landscape with a homemade box sign reading “EGGS £1.00” in the foreground, surrounded by fields and trees.

Virtues and vices

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The virtue of honesty requires more than just telling the truth

Honesty has fallen out of fashion, yet it is essential to self-improvement. How can we cultivate this neglected virtue?

by Christian B Miller

Abstract collage with statues, a horse head and surreal elements in a vibrant mash-up of historical and dreamlike imagery.

Virtues and vices

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How to be excellent

Plato and Aristotle can help you resist conventional worldly success, direct your energy and find your own highest calling

by Benjamin Studebaker

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

Love

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

Directed by Maryam Mohajer

Black and white photo of a woman at a desk with a typewriter and a phone, deep in thought, holding a pen to her cheek.

Personality

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Assertiveness is a virtue that anyone can develop with practice

You can’t stop people making demands on your time and energy, but you can develop assertiveness skills to protect yourself

by Rebecca Roache

Black and white photo of two policemen, a man in dark clothing, and a priest standing in a dimly lit setting.

Virtues and vices

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Are people with dark personality traits more likely to succeed?

Turn towards the light: contrary to popular belief, nice guys have more success and happiness in the long run

by Craig Neumann & Scott Barry Kaufman

A marble statue of a man covering his face with his hand set against a dark blue background.

Shame and guilt

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How to save yourself another pointless guilt trip

Just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Relax the rules you live by and set yourself free

by Aziz Gazipura