By Jamie Paik Ask anyone what image comes to mind when you say the word ‘robot’, and there’s no doubt you’ll receive responses inspired by popular culture. For example, the liquid metal, shape-shifting T-1000 from the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991); or Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and the main character in the…
The Adversarial Culture in Philosophy Does Not Serve the Truth
The more we can toy and tinker around with a claim, the more we can understand its implications.
The more we can toy and tinker around with a claim, the more we can understand its implications.
Reasons Not to Scoff at Ghosts, Visions and Near-Death Experiences
By Andreas Sommer ‘If the fruits for life of the state of conversion are good, we ought to idealise and venerate it, even though it be a piece of natural psychology; if not, we ought to make short work with it, no matter what supernatural being may have infused it.’ From The Varieties of Religious…
Kama Muta: A New Term for That Warm, Fuzzy Feeling We All Get
Kama muta is recognisable by six co-occurring features.
Kama muta is recognisable by six co-occurring features.
Personality Is Not Only About Who, But Also Where You Are
What if patience, and maybe other personality features too, are more a product of where we are than who we are?
What if patience, and maybe other personality features too, are more a product of where we are than who we are?
Investigating Homo Floresiensis and the Myth of the Ebu Gogo
Though the science points more and more to a complex genetic history for H. Floresiensis, the association with the myth of Ebu Gogo is enduring in the small communities where fossils have been found.
Though the science points more and more to a complex genetic history for H. Floresiensis, the association with the myth of Ebu Gogo is enduring in the small communities where fossils have been found.
The Meaning to Life? a Darwinian Existentialist Has His Answers
Darwinian evolutionary theory shows how this all came about, historically, through the forces of nature.
Darwinian evolutionary theory shows how this all came about, historically, through the forces of nature.
How Pottering About in the Garden Creates a Time Warp
By Harriet Gross What’s not to like about gardening? It’s a great way to get outdoors, away from everyday routines, and to exercise your creativity. It’s good for your health, whatever your age, and gardeners tend to be happier on average. But gardening is more than just a relaxing hobby. Psychology research suggests that tending…
Despite Their Dangers, Pro-Anorexia Forums Have Much to Teach Us
Recent research, including my own, has taken a nuanced view, suggesting that, alongside the risks, participation in pro-ana sites has some benefits, including social support, a way to cope with a stigmatised illness, and a means of self-expression.
Recent research, including my own, has taken a nuanced view, suggesting that, alongside the risks, participation in pro-ana sites has some benefits, including social support, a way to cope with a stigmatised illness, and a means of self-expression.
How Mengzi Came up With Something Better Than the Golden Rule
Mengzian extension starts from the assumption that you are already concerned about nearby others, and takes the challenge to be extending that concern beyond a narrow circle.
Mengzian extension starts from the assumption that you are already concerned about nearby others, and takes the challenge to be extending that concern beyond a narrow circle.
We All Know That We Will Die, so Why Do We Struggle to Believe It?
Tolstoy’s story would not be the masterpiece that it is were it describing an anomaly, a psychological quirk of a fictional character with no analogue in real life.
Tolstoy’s story would not be the masterpiece that it is were it describing an anomaly, a psychological quirk of a fictional character with no analogue in real life.
Solidarity Is Not Dead: How Workers Can Force Progressive Change
While many organisations as a matter of orthodoxy prize both managerial control and consensus, justice requires combatting that control through dissent.
While many organisations as a matter of orthodoxy prize both managerial control and consensus, justice requires combatting that control through dissent.
The Smart Move: We Learn More by Trusting Than by Not Trusting
Social scientists have a variety of tools to study how trusting, and how trustworthy, people are. The most popular is the trust game, in which two participants play, usually anonymously.
Social scientists have a variety of tools to study how trusting, and how trustworthy, people are. The most popular is the trust game, in which two participants play, usually anonymously.
The Self in Dementia Is Not Lost, and Can Be Reached With Care
The view that without our memories we are no longer ourselves is pervasive, and has led to the use of stigmatising language, even within the dementia-care setting, such as ‘loss’, ‘disintegration’ and ‘unbecoming’.
The view that without our memories we are no longer ourselves is pervasive, and has led to the use of stigmatising language, even within the dementia-care setting, such as ‘loss’, ‘disintegration’ and ‘unbecoming’.
What Is to Be Done About the Problem of Creepy Men?
Conventional wisdom tells us to ‘trust our gut’, but researchers say that our gut is concerned more with regulating the boundaries of social mores than keeping us safe.
Conventional wisdom tells us to ‘trust our gut’, but researchers say that our gut is concerned more with regulating the boundaries of social mores than keeping us safe.
Thinking About One’s Birth Is as Uncanny as Thinking of Death
Whereas philosophers have said a lot about our anxiety about death, they have said little about birth anxiety.
Whereas philosophers have said a lot about our anxiety about death, they have said little about birth anxiety.