Philosophy

Philosophy

Examine life’s biggest questions, from ethics to existence, with curiosity and critical thinking.

A juxtaposition of photos featuring individuals reflecting the philosophy of science through a book.
Philosophy is often seen as little more than armchair speculation. This is a shame, as philosophy often has helped science reach new heights.
JADES galaxies
For many years, cosmologists have claimed the Universe is 13.8 billion years old. A new paper says no, it's 26.7 billion. How do we decide?
a painting depicting an angel and a woman showing fear while holding a scythe.
“It is healthy and normal to be afraid of death."
A portrayal of a bespectacled man with a serpent inspired by Carl Jung's theories.
Aiming to unlock the secrets of his unconscious mind, Jung experimented with intensive daydreaming.
string theory e(8)
If you've found yourself befuddled by extraordinary scientific-sounding claims, you're not alone. But this centuries-old lesson can help.
A Tolkien-inspired painting portraying a man and woman amidst a mystical forest.
Ignoring the legacy of William Shakespeare is difficult for any writer, let alone one as quintessentially English as "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien.
a painting of a group of people drinking in a room, depicting the extinction of gatherings.
The separation of pleasure from procreation may occur throughout the cosmos, providing an explanation for the Fermi Paradox.
breakthrough starshot
A Harvard astronomer went to the bottom of the ocean, claiming he recovered alien technology. But what does the science actually indicate?
A man's head symbolizing consciousness with a red heart on it.
Our minds seem both physical and intangible. That paradox has gripped this neuroscientist since childhood.
Outrage machine fueled by emojis with expressions on a black background.
The outrage machine is fueled by toxicity. But there are practical steps that we can take to recapture control over our emotions.
an image of consciousness represented by a brain on a pink background.
Will we ever unravel the mystery of consciousness? Two academics made a 25-year bet on it. The scientist lost.
A pacifist's explosive, adorned with blooming flowers.
No, Gandhi did not single-handedly bring about Indian independence. Pacifism alone usually gets you killed.
An aztec calendar on a white background.
The answer largely centers on crops and cows.
A group of people engaged in dark humor while standing around a skeleton.
When done right, dark humor can help us face inconvenient truths and question stifling social conventions.
A man in a suit and tie showcasing a hat
Roosevelt had become president but not in the way he wanted. Still, he understood that he had been given the rare opportunity to make history.
A medieval painting featuring a man holding a beaker and a book.
Perhaps there was something theatrically satisfying about a learned man waving around a flask of pee, looking at it from all angles, sniffing it, and making bold proclamations.
an image of a man with glasses.
If you want to write and speak well, use common words, not grandiose ones. Unless you're Shakespeare, you're more likely to annoy people.
A painting of two sophists engrossed in a book.
Debate is a verbal sport with winners and losers. As such, it is less about the truth and more about who looks and sounds the best.
A depiction of Jesus surrounded by angels, affirming the existence of God.
A philosophical debate spanning creation, free will, and a sneaky teapot.