Thinkers and theories
History and philosophy of mental health
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One woman’s six-word mantra that has helped to calm millions
Ahead of her time, yet largely ignored by psychiatry, Claire Weekes taught millions of readers how to overcome anxiety
by Judith Hoare
Thinkers and theories
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Learning to be a loser: a philosopher’s case for doing nothing
For Emil Cioran, a life devoid of action, practical ambitions and busyness is a life in which room has been made for meaning
by Costica Bradatan
Habits and routines
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Sprinkle a little ancient philosophy into your daily routines
Long before the psychology research was in, ancient philosophers knew the importance of spiritual exercise for wellbeing
by Joel Owen
Freedom and choice
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In a pandemic we learn again what Sartre meant by being free
What the Nazi occupation was for Sartre, the COVID-19 pandemic is for us: an opportunity to relearn what it means to be free
by Julian Baggini
History of ideas
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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
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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
Thinkers and theories
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For Nietzsche, nihilism goes deeper than ‘life is pointless’
For Friedrich Nietzsche, nihilism is a terrible psychological problem – a coping mechanism with deadly consequences
by Kaitlyn Creasy
Thinkers and theories
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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
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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
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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
Habits and routines
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In praise of habits – so much more than mindless reflexes
Rather than mindless mechanisms for routines, habits are a species of belief that display a great deal of intelligence
by Ian Robertson & Katsunori Miyahara
Fairness and equality
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Adam Smith warned us about sympathising with the elites
Sympathy is both key to human psychology and source of much of our misery. For Adam Smith, the philosophical life is the cure
by Blake Smith