Philosophy

Philosophy

We value human life in a way that assumes we possess a sacred something not found in beings like lambs, turkeys, or mosquitoes.
7mins
It’s not a glitch in the matrix. It’s not the Mandela effect. There’s actually a scientific reason you remember things wrong.
greatest ideas in science
The ten greatest ideas in science form the bedrock of modern biology, chemistry, and physics. Everyone should be familiar with them.
A man walking along a woodland path.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the late Vietnamese monk, thought walking could be a profound contemplative practice.
space expanding
Yes, the Universe is expanding, but you might wonder, "How fast is it expanding?"
free speech
Although saying the wrong thing could often get you killed in ancient civilizations, history shows that the ideal of free speech has deep roots.
Saint Ambrose
When Saint Ambrose of Milan was venerated, his life became public property, its meaning expanding with the unique interpretations of each new generation.
The Capture of Blackbeard
Many first-hand accounts from the golden age of piracy were grossly embellished, meaning it's extremely difficult to separate Blackbeard the legend from Edward Thatch the person.
einstein critics
Einstein's theories of relativity faced fierce opposition. One critic claimed he was attempting to subvert the scientific method.
parallel universe
In scientific theories, the Multiverse appears as a bug rather than as a feature. We should squash it.
taboos
According to Sigmund Freud, our revulsion at taboos is an attempt to suppress a part of us that actually wants to do them.
isaac newton
From physics and alchemy to theology and eschatology, Isaac Newton’s research was rooted in a personal pursuit of the Divine.
gender equality paradox
Iceland consistently ranks as the most gender-equal nation. It is also the nation where men and women are most likely to pursue sex-typical jobs.
Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad lasted over two years and claimed nearly a million lives. It also inspired writers to record the bleak conditions in which they lived.
French Revolution
Despite losing most of his extended family to the guillotine, Tocqueville grew up to become a fervent supporter of democratic revolution.
eastern philosophy
Non-Western thought is vast and ancient, so why don't some consider it philosophy?
Sleeping beauty sleeps in an enchanted forest.
The road to happiness is indirect and full of frustration.
The language you speak plays an important role in how you evaluate truth.
place cells
Your brain is remarkably good at mapping out physical spaces — even if it's an imaginary space like Hogwarts. But how does the brain do it?
A person stands in front of a large face, peering into an oversized monocle held by a giant hand, as if searching for traces of free will within the magnified gaze.
5mins
Philosophers have been making the claim that free will is an illusion for hundreds of years. Dr. Uri Maoz shares what modern neuroscience has to say about it.
John Templeton Foundation
James Webb Hubble
Hubble's deepest views of space revealed fewer than 10% of the Universe's galaxies. James Webb will change that forever.
personality tests
The first personality tests revolved around assessing people’s reactions to ambiguous and often unsettling images. Today, the gold standard is a barrage of questions.
Dark Academia
People around the world, mostly Generation Z, are obsessed with the look and feel of gothic, elitist universities. Why?
A woman holding a loudspeaker at a protest.
The problems that Americans face are often too complex for fact-checking alone.
arc of history
We are generally taught that there is an arc of history — an inevitable path of progress that leads to modern society. Maybe it isn't true.
Alexander Friedmann
It is time to give the Russian cosmologist the credit he deserves.
Stendhal syndrome
People who visit Florence seem strangely susceptible to Stendhal syndrome, which is blamed on an overwhelming sense of awe.