Philosophy

Big Think Home

Philosophy

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

Happiness Ethics Consciousness Metaphysics Philosophy Of Religion Philosophy of Art Philosophy Of Science Identity Meaning & Purpose Language
Everything Articles Videos Classes
Illustration of the top view of a human brain, showing detailed grooves and folds, with a textured, etched style on a dark background—evoking the complexity of mental feedback loops.
The Well
Why confirmation bias kills your brain
Humans tend to hunker down in our own minds and trust what we already believe to be true. This emotion-based way of thought isn't often the best way to think about anything, and often leads to gridlock.
Barbara Oakley
John Templeton Foundation
A silhouetted figure with outstretched arms appears in bright, radiant light against a blue sky, evoking an ethereal effect that invites reflection on arguments against God.
The Well
3 arguments against God, explained by a Catholic bishop
“The very best arguments against God have been formulated by believers.”
Bishop Robert Barron
John Templeton Foundation
A softly colored illustration of a double rainbow arches over a calm blue sea under a pastel sky, evoking harmony between religion and science.
4mins
The Well
Is religion a threat to science?
Some scientists see religion as a threat to the scientific method that should be resisted. But faith "is really asking a different set of questions," says Collins.
Francis Collins
John Templeton Foundation
A figure with wings kneels and gestures toward a standing, robed figure against a red background, evoking the question: what is hell like? Both appear in a detailed, engraved style.
4mins
The Well
Why this bishop hopes hell is empty
What’s hell really like?
Bishop Robert Barron
John Templeton Foundation
A bearded man with outstretched arms and blue drapery appears to be in motion, depicted in a classical painting style that evokes the search for evidence for God.
4mins
The Well
Can God exist in a scientific world?
There is no evidence for God as a “big being.” Is God something else?
Bishop Robert Barron
John Templeton Foundation
A metallic, blindfolded bust of a person is shown against a black background, symbolizing justice, impartiality, and the resolve to turn the other cheek in the face of adversity.
5mins
The Well
Why ‘turning the other cheek’ is fundamentally misunderstood
When should we seek justice, and when should we forgive? A bishop explains.
Bishop Robert Barron
John Templeton Foundation
5mins
Latest Videos
NASA astronaut explains humanity’s trajectory to Mars
The first human that isn’t an Earthling could be in our lifetime.
Robert Curbeam
Maxar
A close-up of a painted human arm and hand reaching out with extended fingers against a light, cracked background.
5mins
The Well
What kind of atheist are you?
Atheists are not immune from supernatural thinking.
Clay Routledge
history of music
8mins
The Big Think Interview
40,000 years of music explained in 8 minutes
The history of music from bone flutes to Beyoncé.
Michael Spitzer
A nude figure with outstretched arms stands against a sky with rainbows and flying birds, evoking a sense of belief in the supernatural.
4mins
The Well
Why do we believe in the supernatural?
From superstition to religion, we are surrounded by supernatural thinking. Is that a bad thing?
Clay Routledge
John Templeton Foundation
Two figures embrace in the foreground as celestial bodies or stars, evoking supernatural thinking, tumble from a dark sky; in the background, a crowd with raised arms watches in awe.
7mins
The Well
Why our minds crave the supernatural
"Supernatural thinking is actually an important part of being a complete human being."
Clay Routledge
John Templeton Foundation
4mins
Explain It Like I’m Smart
How Earth’s 23.4° tilt makes life beautiful
Rituals come as much from religion as they do from the way Earth spins around the Sun.
Sasha Sagan
A bronze Buddha head sculpture with ornate crown and elongated earlobes, set against a black background, embodies the philosophies of self through its serene expression and timeless artistry.
3mins
The Well
Philosophies of self: East-West distinctions
People in the East and West really do think differently, especially when it comes to self-identity. Depending where you live, either associative or distinctive thinking will shape your sense of self.
Gish Jen
John Templeton Foundation
Two hands reaching towards each other against a bright blue sky with clouds, subtly exploring why empathy is bad when it leads to emotional overwhelm.
4mins
The Well
Why I’m against empathy
Not an empathetic person? Here’s why that might be a good thing.
Paul Bloom
John Templeton Foundation
A woman cradles a baby while surrounded by four children in a rustic kitchen, with dishes on shelves and blue sky outside—a heartwarming scene that might inspire thoughts like, should I have kids?.
4mins
The Well
Should I have kids? A psychologist explains how to decide
Kids don’t always make you happier. Here’s why people have them anyway.
Paul Bloom
John Templeton Foundation
A hand holding a whip with multiple knotted tails against a solid orange background, subtly hinting at themes of discipline and exploring why suffering is good.
5mins
The Well
Why you should want to suffer — just a little bit
There are two kinds of suffering. One is pure pain. The other makes life worth living.
Paul Bloom
John Templeton Foundation
A glowing, radiant figure stands atop dark rocks near a mountain, with bright light illuminating the scene in a monochrome, sketch-like style.
The Well
Will we download our minds into new bodies?
According to author and entrepreneur Steven Kotler, at some point this century, we will confront the prospect of immortality.
Steven Kotler
John Templeton Foundation
Illustration of a black hole in space with a glowing accretion disk and a stream of stars or gas being pulled toward it.
The Well
Do black holes “bleach” cosmic history?
According to renowned physicist Christophe Galfard, physics can’t explain our universe – yet.
Christophe Galfard
John Templeton Foundation
Devil’s Advocate
Are near-death experiences just dreams or hallucinations?
Are dreams, hallucinations, and near death experiences all connected?
Dr. Bruce Greyson
Two men in athletic clothing stand against a black background, with glowing light trails swirling around them—symbolizing the energy and persistence involved in forming habits through dedication and motion.
3mins
The Well
How do elite performers automate their habits?
Practice doesn’t actually make perfect. Here’s the willpower equation necessary for elite athletes and musicians.
Wendy Wood
John Templeton Foundation
Learn from the world’s biggest thinkers.
© Copyright 2007-2026 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved.