Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is oft regarded as a satirical, romantic iconoclast. Unlike many philosophers of his era, his prose was lyrical and poetic and the use of pseudonyms, paradox and irony were among his trademarks. Kierkegaard’s works explored such things as personal identity, duty, freedom, objective & subjective truths,…
There is no doubt that positive emotions are worth cultivating. But must we be upbeat all of the time? Is there a healthy side of negative emotions and some value in experiencing them? Many philosophers (Schopenhauer comes to mind here) argue that embracing the full range of our emotions (including…
In an older (but not outdated) article in the Atlantic, Hope Reese interviews Rebecca Newberger Goldstein — philosopher and author of Plato at the Googleplex — who discusses the value of studying philosophy and why it is critical to our lives. From helping us increase our humanity to becoming responsible…
Does surveillance contribute or detract from our moral growth? Alfred University Professor of Philosophy Emrys Westacott discusses the complicated relationship between surveillance and moral edification by exploring the following questions: What is the impact of ubiquitous surveillance on our moral character? How might the advent of a surveillance society affect…
Can bringing philosophy into the classroom yield benefits for kids? Yes. There have been numerous studies supporting the claim that philosophy for kids is a worthwhile venture, including a recent study conducted by the Education Endowment Foundation in the UK and reported by Peter Dockrill of Science Alert. With over…
Feeling is human! And that goes for boys just as much as girls. Being able to embrace and express your feelings is an important part of experiencing life to its fullest. It is also intimately connected to our mental, physical, and emotional health. Lena Aburdene Derhally, psychotherapist at Washington D.C.’s…
Who says philosophy can’t help you with major life issues? Author and Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at U.C. Berkeley, Alison Gopnik, talks about how mid-century philosopher David Hume (coupled with a healthy does of Buddhism) helped her solve her mid-life crisis. Read more…
Think empathy is overrated? Think again! Empathy is crucial to our and others’ well-being in countless ways. In this article, Dr. Elliot D. Cohen, one of the principal founders of philosophical counseling in the United States & Executive Director of the National Philosophical Counseling Association, helps to clarify the nature…
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