Philosophy

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Philosophy

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

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6mins
The Well
The false reality of loneliness
Scientists can't define spirituality. But we can study its healing effects, says this Columbia psychologist.
Lisa Miller
Ancient headless stone Buddha statue with one arm missing, seated cross-legged against a solid dark purple background.
9mins
The Well
How we lost collective spirituality — and why we need it back
Spirituality declines, depression rises. Is there a link?
Lisa Miller
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1hr 13mins
The Big Think Interview
Argue smarter, not harder, with Harvard’s former debate coach Bo Seo
This two-time debate world champion gives three tips for constructing the perfect argument.
Bo Seo
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The Big Think Interview
Harvard debate coach’s masterclass on arguing
Two-time debate world champion Bo Seo gives 3 tips for constructing the perfect argument.
Bo Seo
A black silhouette with two overlapping human profiles facing opposite directions on a green background.
6mins
The Well
How your brain creates reality, explained by a neuroscientist
Your "social reality" isn’t an absolute reality. A leading neuroscientist explains why.
Lisa Feldman Barrett
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie.
6mins
Great Question
Hitler, Churchill, and the real trolley problem
University College London professor Brian Klaas exposes the ugly truth about world leaders.
Brian Klaas
a close up of a monkey with its mouth open.
7mins
Legends
The “alpha male” myth, debunked
Primatologist Frans de Waal inadvertently popularized the term "alpha male." Now, he’s debunking common stereotypes to explain what an "alpha male" really is — empathetic and protective.
Frans de Waal
Black and white vintage illustration of a human brain viewed from the side, set against a solid light pink background.
7mins
The Well
An evolutionary history of the human brain, in 7 minutes
Plato and Carl Sagan were wrong about the human brain, says a top neuroscientist.
Lisa Feldman Barrett
A person with short gray hair, wearing a dark jacket and a gray-blue scarf, looks at the camera against a plain light background.
13mins
Legends
Berkeley professor explains gender theory
Sex, gender, and the debate over identity explained by Berkeley professor Judith Butler.
Judith Butler
a green peace sign on a black background.
5mins
The Big Think Interview
Fix hidden conflict — before it’s too late
Not all conflict is bad. Expert Priya Parker explains how “heat” can be harnessed for good.
Priya Parker
A vintage-style illustration of a child holding up a plate and looking at a ball or orb floating above it, set against a solid blue background.
5mins
The Well
The case against specializing
Geniuses and prodigies are captivating. But generalists rule the world.
David Epstein
John Templeton Foundation
a close up of a fish under water.
7mins
The Big Think Interview
What is life?
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Nurse defines the 5 core principles of life.
Paul Nurse
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6mins
The Well
How to live a life you won’t regret
Aimless wandering is essential for understanding yourself. Here’s why.
Bryan Cranston
A hand pinches a small spiral galaxy between its fingers against a background of stars in space.
4mins
The Well
Can you separate science from the scientist?
Science has opened so many doors to humanity’s understanding of the world. Scientism shuts them. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Agustín Fuentes
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4mins
The Big Think Interview
Ask smarter questions in 5 minutes
Asking the wrong questions can hold you back. Natalie Nixon explains how to ask divergent questions to become a great thinker.
Natalie Nixon
Close-up of a painted eye on a textured surface, featuring green, white, black, and a small area of orange.
5mins
The Well
Why we want the wrong things
Humans, like animals, are driven by instincts. But we also have wants. Here’s what that means for our lives.
Luke Burgis
the cover of a magazine with a picture of a man's face.
5mins
Explain It Like I’m Smart
Why high-ranking leaders should be psych tested
Why do the worst people rise to power? University College London professor Brian Klaas responds.
Brian Klaas
a person standing in the middle of a body of water.
9mins
The Big Think Interview
The “afterlife” according to Einstein’s special relativity
Sabine Hossenfelder discusses the physics of… dead grandmothers?
Sabine Hossenfelder
White handwritten text reading "I am not a robot" appears distorted and crossed with a horizontal line, set against a black background with scattered small white dots.
5mins
The Well
AI is smart — but can it think?
How World War II codebreaker Alan Turing invented modern AI.
Michael Wooldridge
Illustration showing human evolution from an ape-like ancestor on all fours to an upright human holding a spear, against a green background.
4mins
The Well
We need a new measure of evolutionary success. Here’s why.
People say we are better off than ever. Are they right?
Agustín Fuentes
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