Philosophy

Philosophy

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

Nuns in Renaissance Italy
"Immodest Acts" tells the story of Benedetta Carlini, a lesbian nun who claimed to be a mystic visionary but failed to convince the leaders of her faith. 
quantum steampunk
How efficiently could quantum engines operate?
Inflection points veer life in unexpected directions. While unnerving, they provide opportunities for those who can navigate them.
Satire and an inflated sense of self-importance collide in a series of maps that goes back more than 100 years in American history.
benjamin franklin lightning rod
Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod saved countless lives, but some religious leaders denounced his invention.
Plants are very sensitive to touch, with research showing that touching a plant can change its genome and launch a cascade of plant hormones.
When was the last time you spent some quality time with yourself?
quasar-galaxy hybrid
Single objects rarely change the course of an entire scientific field. Distant object GNz7q, a galaxy-quasar hybrid, might do exactly that.
Studies show that feelings of ease and comfort in a given situation are tied to feelings of authenticity.
Many atheists think of themselves as intellectually gifted individuals, guiding humanity on the path of reason. Scientific data shows otherwise.
John Templeton Foundation
For some reason, the charges on the electron and proton are equal and opposite, and their numbers are equal, too. But why?
what aliens look like
We should not expect aliens to look anything like us. Creatures that resemble octopuses or birds or even robots are legitimate possibilities.
finite or infinite
As far as we can tell, there's no limit to how far it goes on; only a limit to how far we can see. Could the Universe truly be infinite?
Successful romantic relationships require desire, but that desire doesn't have to be sexual.
In the pursuit of happiness, money probably trumps meaning.
If we are wreaking havoc on ourselves and the world, it is because we have become mesmerized by a mechanistic, reductionist way of thinking.
Will all robots think like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg?
I hate grading. I love teaching, though, and giving students feedback is teaching.
kama sutra
There is much more to the Kama Sutra than just sex. It's a guide to anyone wanting more pleasure in life, however they take it.
ancient smells
Most cities reeked of death, defecation, and industrial waste. Still, focusing only on stench means turning a blind eye (or nose) to the many other smells that helped shape human history.