History of ideas
Communication and language
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Censoring offensive language threatens our freedom to think
The modern obsession with textual purity stems from a misapplication of the philosophies of Wittgenstein and Derrida
by Paul Ham
Virtues and vices
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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
History of ideas
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I smell, therefore I am. On the philosophy of the olfactory
To truly grip us, philosophy must engage with the practical and animalistic. It’s time to stop turning its nose up at smell
by Simon Hajdini
Thinkers and theories
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How the feminist philosopher Helene Stöcker canonised Nietzsche
Despite Nietzsche’s reputation for misogyny, his work inspired a leading women’s rights activist of the early 20th century
by Lydia Moland
History of ideas
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Five timeless lessons for life from the Athenian tragedies
In a world filled with grief-fuelled rage, cultivating a tragic mindset can help you to live with grace and dignity
by Andy Owen
Learning and education
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Lessons about learning from ancient Greek philosophers
What Aristotle and Epicurus can teach us about learning through collaboration, movement, place and embodiment
by Tom Bielik
Mindfulness and meditation
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When mindfulness meets capitalism, it loses its way
The modern business of mindfulness strips the practice of both its spiritual meaning and much of its practical value
by Chris Wheatley
Work and vocation
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Why do so many people think they are in a bullshit job?
Researchers continue to debate whether some jobs are inherently useless – but all agree it’s harmful to see your job this way
by Shayla Love
Freedom and choice
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The three reasons why it’s good for you to believe in free will
Regardless of whether humans do or don’t have free will, psychological research shows it’s beneficial to act as if you do
by Kennon Sheldon
Human rights and justice
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Hidden in translation – Jewish resistance to Spanish empire
Translation as a powerful form of resistance: how a 16th-century Sephardic Jew conquered the colonial narrative from Spain
by Flora Cassen
History of ideas
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How the ancient philosophers imagined the end of the world
How the ancient Greeks and Romans imagined the end of the world, and what we can learn from them today about catastrophe
by Christopher Star
Meaning and the good life
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What’s a life worth living? For the ancients, it depends
What the ancient philosophers thought was a life worth living will likely surprise you. But don’t be too quick to judge
by David Machek