Philosophy

Philosophy

Illustration depicting human evolution from a primate to an early human holding a spear, advancing from left to right.
8mins
Biological evolution in humans has slowed. Can AI, culture wars, and modern tech explain why?
A hand is tossing two white dice with black dots against a dark background.
3mins
Don’t fall into the determinism trap. Everything is, in fact, random, says chemist Lee Cronin:
A man in a black leather outfit sits on an ornate, gold-trimmed chair, with one hand touching his temple and the other resting on the armrest.
7mins
90’s kids know him from All That, Kenan & Kel, and Good Burger. This is Kel Mitchell, who sat down with us to share how he persevered through some of the hardest moments of his life.
Unlikely Collaborators
A pencil fills in the first answer bubble on a multiple-choice test sheet, option "1" for question 90.
1mins
Testing is an attempt to measure intelligence. But is intelligence really what’s getting measured? A neuroscientist weighs in:
Five people of diverse backgrounds are lined up against a white background with the text "Question Your Perception Box" displayed below them.
1mins
In the series, guests read aloud questions that pop out from a gumball machine [literally!]. The questions, like “who would you be if you stripped away all of your identities?”, […]
Unlikely Collaborators
Close-up of the lower face from a classic oil painting, showing a subtle smile, cracked paint texture, and part of wavy brown hair.
3mins
“Not only does Mother Nature not care about your happiness, she knows that we need lots of negative emotions to keep us alive.” Harvard happiness professor on why suffering IS necessary:
A young woman with long hair rests her head on her hand, eyes closed, wearing a loose white garment and a headband, against a dark background.
2mins
Traditional definitions of wellbeing focus on the absence of mental illness or disease. But true wellbeing goes beyond that, says this neuroscientist.
A solitary figure is suspended in midair above a textured ground, set against a yellow background.
7mins
Finding meaning isn’t just personally fulfilling — it’s critical to our brain’s development, explains USC neuroscientist.
A close-up of two people with rosy cheeks, smiling and laughing together, wearing historical clothing and ornate collars.
7mins
“Happiness is NOT about feelings.” Harvard happiness expert Arthur Brooks debunks the biggest myths about humanity’s most sought-after state, and explains how to actually get it.
10mins
“We control nothing but influence everything.” Political scientist Brian Klaas on how every decision we make - both massive and miniscule - shapes our futures.
Text 'Period Myths' in bold white letters on a black background, surrounded by various-sized red spheres.
10mins
Dr. Jen Gunter debunks the most common myths about menstruation.
A mosaic of 36 square tiles, each showing a different fragment of various human faces, combined to create a composite image of diverse facial features.
12mins
Is “identity synthesis” the remedy for racial injustice? This political scientist says no.
A person with long, light brown hair is looking at the camera with a soft smile, wearing a dark colored outfit.
9mins
The Grammy-nominated artist reflects on a life of heartbreak and a future full of hope.
Unlikely Collaborators
A marble statue with feet and draped clothing stands next to a wall outlet, connected by a white power cord against a black background.
3mins
Journalist Steven Kotler on digital immortality and the tech that could keep us “alive,” forever.
A detailed image contrasting a fiery asteroid on the left with a cool, intricate snowflake on the right against a dark background.
11mins
Humanity has two giant collisions to thank for its existence, explains biologist Sean B. Carroll.
Elderly man with a full white beard and glasses, wearing a brown jacket, against a white background.
11mins
“Forget about essences.” Philosopher Daniel Dennett on how modern-day philosophers should be more collaborative with scientists if they want to make revolutionary developments in their fields.
Black cave-painting style drawing of a person shooting arrows at a deer with antlers on a red-orange background.
8mins
James Suzman lived with a tribe of hunter-gatherers to witness how an ancient culture survives one of the most brutal climates on Earth. His learnings may surprise you.
A woman holding up a picture of a smiling mouth.
6mins
Pathologically busy people clamoring for happiness. Founder of HATCH Monica Parker explains how we can do so much better than that.
A star is being stretched and pulled apart by the gravity of a black hole in the middle of a field of stars.
7mins
Is information intrinsic in our universe? NASA’s Michelle Thaller explains.
A close up of a man with curly hair.
9mins
Actor, author, and director Jesse Eisenberg demystifies the role of anxiety and self-doubt in leadership.
A muscular, shirtless figure is shown pushing a large boulder upward against a dark, textured background.
4mins
When one path is blocked, a new one must be paved. How Einstein, Heisenberg and Gödel used constraints to make life-changing discoveries:
A person holding a match in front of a colorful background.
5mins
James Fadiman PhD, who has 60 years of experience in the field, believes they are.
Unlikely Collaborators
The cover of colorblind philosophy.
37mins
Coleman Hughes advocates for a colorblind America, presenting compelling arguments in favor of treating all individuals without regard to race.
A white lotus flower on a black background.
5mins
Enlightenment: After the ecstasy, the laundry. Why enlightenment is never an end in itself.
A human eye is drawn in pencil on the left, blending into a stylized version of the same eye overlaid with blue and red concentric circles on the right.
3mins
What is perception, really? Philosopher Alva Noë on why perception is a puzzling phenomenon:
Barbed wire with the word free speech on it.
31mins
Author of the Canceling of the American Mind Greg Lukianoff explains the current state of free speech in the United States.
A woman sitting on a chair in a living room.
7mins
The creative force behind The Vampire Diaries explains how she learned to deal with her insecurities.
Unlikely Collaborators
Two men sit closely together, one smiling and the other reclining with a relaxed posture against a dark background.
6mins
Science writer George Musser on the unsung role of friendship in science’s biggest discoveries.
A man sitting at a desk on a phone.
9mins
From hunter-gatherers to the American Dream: This is how humanity’s definition of “work” has developed over time.
A man with dreadlocks standing in front of a bush.
6mins
“I was incarcerated well before I was in prison and I was free before the gates of prison opened up and let me out.”
Unlikely Collaborators