History of ideas
Civic life
idea
Don’t be stoic: Roman Stoicism’s origins show its perniciousness
Stoicism might help you as an individual. But we need a philosophy that doesn’t dull us to the injustices of the world
by Henry Gruber
History of emotions
idea
Neuroscience has much to learn from Hume’s philosophy of emotions
According to philosopher David Hume, it takes a lifetime to get our emotions right. Neuroscience has much to learn from him
by Richard C Sha
The self
idea
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
History of ideas
idea
Ancient Indian texts reveal the liberating power of metaphysics
Indian metaphysics presented a philosophical route to a higher level of existence beyond limits of space and time
by Jessica Frazier
Thinkers and theories
idea
To Karl Jaspers, uncertainty is not to be overcome but understood
The existentialist Karl Jaspers believed uncertainty ungirds human existence: better to recognise this than rage against it
by Carmen Lea Dege
Anxiety
idea
Anxiety isn’t a pathology. It drives us to push back the unknown
‘I’m anxious, therefore I enquire.’ Anxiety isn’t a problem to be solved; it drives philosophical enquiry and makes us human
by Samir Chopra
Thinkers and theories
idea
Pseudophilosophy encourages confused, self-indulgent thinking
Pseudophilosophy can result from simple misunderstanding or wilful obscurity. The cure is basic critical thinking skills
by Victor Moberger
Ageing
idea
Simone de Beauvoir recommends we fight for ourselves as we age
Old age, for Simone de Beauvoir, is not shameful or frightening but should be celebrated as an opportunity to be authentic
by Skye C Cleary
History of ideas
idea
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
Human nature
idea
The radical aristocrat who put kindness on a scientific footing
Peter Kropotkin took on social Darwinism, casting evolution in a cooperative light and laying the groundwork for mutual aid
by Lydia Syson
Meaning and the good life
idea
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
Consciousness
idea
Why your consciousness depends on the low-entropy early Universe
What would your time-reverse twin think and feel walking back from the present into the past? And why does it matter?
by Jonathan Simon