New findings in psychology and neuroscience are pushing philosophers to rethink such big questions as the relationship between mind and body, the meaning of free will, just exactly what faith is, the nature of consciousness, and what constitutes happiness. There's some evidence that issues such as free will itself reflect temperament and personality. There's even more evidence that we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy, which is why we have such a hard time finding durable happiness.

Recent posts on Philosophy

Writing Women Into Psychology

Women and people of color were underrepresented relative to men and white people in a sample study of social psychology textbooks.

Toward a Big Theory of Knowledge

By Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on January 05, 2018 in Theory of Knowledge
The 21st century needs to see a return to big ideas about knowledge.

The Art of Loving in the 21st Century

Our days can be filled with love and happiness—if we really want it.

The Unbearable Conundrum of AI Consciousness

By Cami Rosso on January 04, 2018 in The Future Brain
As artificial intelligence becomes as cognitively powerful as humans, can machines become self-aware?

Growing Up and Growing Old

By continuing to live an active life as long as physically possible, the mind intensifies its quest.

New Year’s Reflections Inspired by Three Haiku Poets

Here are four haiku with the new year as their themes. My commentary focuses on chronic illness (which includes chronic pain), but this piece is for everyone.

Iceland "Cures" Down Syndrome: Should America Do the Same?

When--and how--should society decide who should--and should not be born"

How Much Does Your Soul Weigh?

By Mario D Garrett Ph.D. on December 31, 2017 in iAge
We have a great interest in “proving” things. The problem with science is that it is necessarily finicky with details and the problem with belief is that it is necessarily not.

Are There Reasons for Loving One Person Rather Than Another?

If you hang onto memories of the "good old times" and ignore the red flags rippling right in front of you, you risk staying in a toxic relationship for much too long.

Rape by Deception

Deceiving another person in order to have sex with them is morally wrong when it prevents the other person from giving fully informed consent to the act.

4 Keys to Understanding Our Weird, Inconsistent Morality

By Rob Henderson on December 26, 2017 in After Service
What science reveals about morality, and how to make better moral decisions.
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On Genius and Meaning

By Moses Ma on December 26, 2017 in The Tao of Innovation
The beauty by an aging man.

Morality Is Objective

By Eric Dietrich Ph.D. on December 23, 2017 in Excellent Beauty
Many people think that morality varies from culture to culture, person to person. But morality is as objective as mathematics or physics.

Utilitarianism

By Marty Nemko Ph.D. on December 21, 2017 in How To Do Life
Whether you choose pure libertarianism, Rawlianism, selfish/contributory balance, or pure hedonism, this article can help you make a conscious choice.
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When the Extraterrestrials Arrive

By John Nosta on December 20, 2017 in The Digital Self
When the extraterrestrials arrive, who will represent you and planet in the ultimate political discussion?

A Gameplan for Combating Oppression

How work on race can inform efforts to combat class divisions.

Revisiting Preempting the Holocaust: Frankl versus Levi

How I came to develop a phenomenology of Holocaust survival.

Why Do We Struggle With Love?

Is love a choice? What does our perception of self-worth have to do with love?

The Psychology of Hipsterdom

By Bence Nanay Ph.D. on December 18, 2017 in Psychology Tomorrow
Just why do hipsters do what they do?
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Life Doesn't Just Happen to Us

By Alex Pattakos Ph.D. on December 18, 2017 in The Meaningful Life
Are you resistant to change? If you want things to stay the same, then something is going to have to change.

Toward a More Self-Correcting Psychological Science

By Lee Jussim Ph.D. on December 14, 2017 in Rabble Rouser
How to make psychology the true science it has always aspired to be.

What Role Does Dehumanization Play in Human Cruelty?

How are we supposed to square the humanizing conception of those targeted for oppression with the dehumanizing and othering tendencies that feed the motivation to oppress?

Why Poetry Will Make Your Life Better

The best poetry has always made us gasp and laugh and has always relied on psychological and spiritual revelation.

The Costs of Publishing in Some Journals

Low impact, vanity e-journals flood the inboxes of academic scientists every day with flattering emails in search of new articles to publish for a fee.

Triumph or Tragedy: How You Tell Your Story Matters

While making mistakes is not an especially pleasurable experience, when people become depressed, it is usually because they mistake difficult chapters for the entire plotline. They also under-value the important lessons that come from harder chapters which, if we read them correctly, can help us move on to happier ones.

The World Responds to Our Emotions: Evidence from Physics

Albertus Maximus: the world responds to our emotions.

Is Psychology a "Self-Correcting" Science?

By Lee Jussim Ph.D. on December 06, 2017 in Rabble Rouser
Is psychology a science? If so, where is the "scientific self-correction"?

Could Morality Have a Transcendent Evolved Purpose?

Evolutionary theory can explain morality in terms of survival and reproduction. Could it also explain morality in terms of some larger purpose?

Winning Love

By Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on December 05, 2017 in In the Name of Love
Attempting to change the beloved and surrendering to the beloved are common practices. Although each has some value, neither is effective in guiding our romantic path.

Does Science Require a Leap of Faith?

By David Ludden Ph.D. on December 04, 2017 in Talking Apes
No one has ever changed their essential beliefs on the basis of rational arguments.