Empathy v. Sympathy

Merlin | Empathy v. Sympathy

On a recent ‘Little Philosopher’s Walk’, one of our fun ‘Merlin Meanderings’ that we held here at Merlin Nature Preserve, we discussed & explored the importance and value of imagination.  In the course of our conversation, the work of Dr. Brené Brown, Research Professor at the University of Houston Graduate…

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Why a Walk in the Park is Good for Our Brains

Can walking in green, natural spaces (parks, outdoors, natural environments) improve your mental health?  Yes!  A growing body of research shows that being in nature does in fact lower stress levels, improve memory & enhance affect (mood).  But how exactly does it do this?  According to a recent study in…

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Why Walking Can Make You a Better Thinker

Merlin MCC | Why Walking Can Make You a Better Thinker

Ancient Greek philosophers believed there to be a deep, intuitive connection between walking and thinking (and writing).  Getting up and walking about (especially outdoors in nature) can make us better thinkers.  But is such a belief justified? In this pithy and insightful article, Feris Jabr (of the New Yorker) discusses…

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The Power of Ideas

Merlin MCC | The Power of Ideas

Do ideas really matter?  If so, why and how?  Here is an insightful & awe-inspiring look from philosopher and filmmaker Jason Silva at some of the biological and cultural reasons behind the power of ideas…and why and how they have significance.  Buckle your seat-belts, kids…we promise you’re going to enjoy…

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Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (In Clay)

Allegory of the Cave

Bar none…..one of the best adaptations of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave you’ll ever find.  Creative, imaginative, thought-provoking,  and just plain fun (it’s in clay after all!)…hmm, dare we say “Clayto?”  Enjoy and become enlightened by this Plato & Socrates inspired gem of a short film from the Bullhead Entertainment…

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What is Philosophy?

The Death of Socrates | Picture

Wondering what philosophy is?  Or why and how it is relevant?  The word ‘philosophy’ (philosophía) is Greek in origin and means a friend or lover (phílos) of wisdom (sophía).  Philosophy’s investigations are led by reason & the general maxim that the unexamined life is not worth living.  It pertains to…

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