Mind and brain
idea
Why do we make snap judgments based on facial appearance?
by Richard Cook & Harriet Over
Stories and literature
idea
In Viking sagas, the ‘truth’ is a tangle of history and fiction
by Anatoly Liberman
Knowledge and reason
guide
How to think about truth
In a world of disagreement, what should you believe? These ideas will help you take a philosophically informed perspective
by Jeremy Wyatt & Joseph Ulatowski
Popular this month
Music
idea
They’re playing our song! The philosophical puzzle of cover songs
by P D Magnus
Mental health
idea
How a feeling that you belong could protect your mental health
by Janine M Dutcher & Amber Quinn
Emerging therapies
idea
A personalised alternative to antidepressants is on the way
by Paul Fitzgerald
Spirituality and religion
film
An ancient ritual is a window to Mayan culture’s deep past and vibrant present
Directed by Ricky Lopez Bruni
Poetry
idea
The long poem is just right for our confounding, fractured age
by Tess Somervell
Mind-body interactions
guide
How to trust your body
Your heart, lungs, abdomen and gut are trying to tell you something. Learning to tune in can significantly boost your health
by Saga Briggs
Beauty and aesthetics
idea
What happens if we make the Mona Lisa more symmetrical?
by Manil Suri
Food and drink
idea
La cucina povera delivers the fare we need to sustain us now
by Louise Fabiani
Addiction
idea
I made professor before Ritalin. Now I can’t work without it
by Gordon Marino
Food and drink
guide
How to go vegetarian or vegan
Quitting animal foods needn’t be a hardship. Relish your new diet and make it stick with this nutritionist’s approach
by Reed Mangels
Nature and the environment
idea
What does water want? Most humans seem to have forgotten
by Erica Gies
Stories and literature
idea
Ovid’s tales of mutual love show he was more than a poet of rape
by Stephanie McCarter