X CLOSE

Ethics

A young girl, seen from the back, in a museum in China stands before a huge, oval multicoloured image of ‘fossil’ microwave radiation

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

Students in a library, studying at their own private desk in cubicles or at a communal table

Virtues and vices

idea

Why so many plagiarists are in denial about what they did wrong

So often people claim ‘I didn’t mean to’, yet they fail to realise that plagiarism is more like speeding than theft

by Philip Reed

Two people sit meditating on the street in front of a police van, with a crowd and traffic barriers behind them.

Mindfulness and meditation

idea

Here’s what to know about using meditation to be a better person

Meditating has long been thought to enhance morality. But the type of meditation – and the aspects of morality – matter

by Jakob Hohwy & Kevin Berryman

A man with a serious expression sits at a table, eating, wearing a black and white polo shirt, with a bottle and food items in the foreground.

Stories and literature

idea

What is it about film and TV antiheroes that’s so captivating?

They’re entertaining, of course – but research highlights a deeper psychological reason viewers are drawn to the bad guys

by Ana Gantman & Jordan Wylie

The Disney cartoon boy Pinocchio depicted with his nose having grown long as he tells a lie

Communication and language

idea

These are the mental processes required to tell a convincing lie

The cognitive work involved in lying is relevant to lie detection and could help explain why some people are better liars

by Molly MacMillan

Close-up of elderly hands clasped together, with prominent wrinkles, wearing an orange jumper with dark brown trim.

Ageing

idea

Efforts to expand the lifespan ignore what it’s like to get old

As modern medicine extends the human lifespan, quality of life is not keeping up, raising thorny ethical dilemmas

by Robert S Gable

A porcelain statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy, seated in meditation, with a soft-focus background.

Ethics

idea

Morality aside, there’s another good reason to love your enemies

Wishing your antagonists well can be seen as a moral obligation or a misguided ideal. But it might serve your interests

by Alex Moran

Close-up of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion, and sauce in a sesame seed bun.

Ethics

idea

A fake-meat burger, a sex doll and a thought experiment

How is enjoying a burger, even if it’s one made of fake meat, different from enjoying a female, even if she’s a sex doll?

by Rebecca Lowe

A vintage painting of a well-dressed group at a party. A woman offers cheese to others, while a man smokes in the background.

Virtues and vices

idea

Be honest: little white lies are more harmful than you think

Even well-intentioned white lies can foster disconnection and distrust – openness and honesty really are the best policy

by Elena Svetieva & Leanne ten Brinke

Vintage image of a woman and a man looking fearful in front of sheet music, while a shadowy figure with a gun and bouquet looms in the background.

Stories and literature

idea

Why the concept of invisibility so captivates the imagination

From ancient fables to the latest science theory, invisibility represents some of humankind’s deepest fears and desires

by Greg Gbur

A close-up of dry leaves on branches, with the Gewerbezentrum IFANG building and its sign in the background.

Death and dying

idea

Should assisted death be available for intractable mental illness?

As a psychiatrist I am extremely wary of even the most careful provisions of assisted dying for people with mental illness

by Marie Nicolini

People standing and walking near a street corner with a brick building and a colourful mural in the background on a sunny day.

Childhood and adolescence

idea

Adolescence is a ‘use it or lose it’ time for moral development

For certain neural pathways, including those involved in moral decision making, adolescence is a one-shot chance of development

by Brandon Bretl