Ethics
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
Virtues and vices
idea
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
Civic life
idea
You want people to do the right thing? Save them the guilt trip
If you want to inspire people to do the right thing, don’t guilt-trip them. Positive emotions are a more powerful motivator
by Claudia R Schneider
Traditional arts
idea
Could the art of ‘sashiko’ help to mend our frayed world?
The Japanese art of ‘sashiko’ celebrates the rough edges of life. Could this be the patchwork solution for our frayed selves?
by Melanie McGrath
Change and self-development
idea
Why doing your best is sometimes the worst thing you can do
The injunction to ‘do your best’ can get in the way of moral self-development. Instead, plant deep roots and learn to wait
by Mavis Biss
Personality
idea
Your sense of right and wrong is interwoven with your personality
Personality traits such as agreeableness and openness to experience can help explain differences in moral judgment
by Luke D Smillie & Milan Andrejević
Values and beliefs
idea
Marge and Homer’s ice cream argument, or why metaethics matters
Metaethics is about the meaning of our moral concepts, which are so consequential for moral debates and behaviour
by Rachel Handley
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
Virtues and vices
idea
‘Moral molecules’ – a new theory of what goodness is made of
Seven basic moral elements could be the building blocks of morality, recombining as needed to form new moral molecules
by Oliver Scott Curry, Mark Alfano, Mark Brandt & Christine Pelican
Ethics
idea
Sikh ethics sees self-centredness as the source of human evil
Sikhism places unity over individualism, offering a different perspective on the big questions of Western moral philosophy
by Keshav Singh
Ethics
idea
Future generations deserve good ancestors. Will you be one?
The living, the dead and the unborn are all here with us: we must respect their interests and their world as much as our own
by Roman Krznaric
Laughter and comedy
idea
A sense of humour – even a dark one – is a moral virtue
A sense of humour is a moral virtue that can help people flourish, even in dire conditions that are conducive to unhappiness
by Mark Alfano & Mandi Astola