Illustration of a balancing scale with gears and a dove, symbolizing the debate on free will versus determinism.

Does Free Will Exist?

by PhilosophySelf-Helps

⚫Scientific experiments suggest brain activity precedes conscious decisions, challenging the traditional notion of free will.
⚫Compatibilism argues that free will and determinism can coexist, allowing for choice within constraints.
⚫Incompatibilism claims true free will requires freedom from all causal chains, rejecting determinism.
⚫Quantum physics introduces uncertainty and probabilistic events, complicating deterministic interpretations and supporting potential free will.
⚫Various religious philosophies affirm the existence of free will despite acknowledging divine foreknowledge and predestination.

Illustration of "The Nicomachean Man" in a modern cityscape, holding a scroll with "Ethics" written on it, surrounded by symbols of ethics like scales of justice, a heart, and a brain.

Top 5 Philosophy Books on Ethics and Morality for Beginners

by PhilosophySelf-Helps

⚫’Nicomachean Ethics’ by Aristotle explores ethical virtue through habit and the importance of moral self-improvement.
⚫’Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals’ by Immanuel Kant introduces rule-based ethics and the concept of moral autonomy.
⚫’The Ethics of Ambiguity’ by Simone De Beauvoir offers an existentialist view on ethics, emphasizing freedom and the role of societal roles.
⚫’Utilitarianism’ by John Stuart Mill discusses maximizing utility for collective happiness, differentiating between higher and lower pleasures.
⚫’After Virtue’ by Alasdair MacIntyre critiques modern moral philosophy and advocates for a return to virtue ethics and moral traditions.

iconic symbols for philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, and Nietzsche.

Who are the greatest philosophers of all time?

by BooksFeaturedPhilosophy

⚫The list of greatest philosophers often includes ancient thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle who shaped Western philosophy.
⚫Eastern philosophy is greatly influenced by figures like Confucius and Laozi, who emphasized moral values and natural harmony, respectively.
⚫Christian philosophy was profoundly shaped by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, who explored themes of faith and reason.
⚫Modern philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre have significantly influenced metaphysics, ethics, and existentialist thought.
⚫Political philosophers like Karl Marx and John Locke have had a profound impact on socio-economic structures, while other thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir and Leibniz have made contributions to feminism and metaphysics.

Comic illustration depicting the evolution of moral thought from ancient Greek philosophy, through medieval religious teachings, the Enlightenment era, to modern digital challenges with symbols like justice scales, a globalisation globe, and technology icons.

The Decline of Ethics in the Digital Era

by FeaturedHandpickedPhilosophy

⚫Moral decay in modern times is influenced by various factors such as erosion of family structures, reliance on state institutions, and the rise of corporate greed and media portrayals.

⚫Technological advancements and the digital age have introduced new ethical concerns, including online privacy, machine morality, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

⚫Social media plays a significant role in shaping morality, with concerns about privacy invasion, cyberbullying, online addiction, and the manipulation of perceptions and beliefs by influencers.

⚫Cultural shifts and modernization have challenged traditional norms and brought about tensions between religious traditions and human rights, as well as the prioritization of material wealth over ethical standards.

Illustration of a thoughtful person standing in a crowded room, where everyone else is absorbed in their smartphones or shallow conversations, highlighting the contrast between contemplation and digital distraction in contemporary society.

Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity Explained

by PhilosophySelf-Helps

⚫Stupidity encompasses a wilful disregard for critical thinking and a refusal to learn from experience.
⚫Cognitive biases contribute to the perpetuation of foolish actions and beliefs.
⚫Bonhoeffer’s theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding individual psychology and cognitive biases.
⚫The prevalence of stupidity in modern society is influenced by social media, echo chambers, and information manipulation.

A comic caricature depicting a close-up of a human brain, overlaid with a clock and intertwined with healing herbs, all under a soft, calming light. This scene artistically symbolizes the profound influence of psychological factors, like time perception, on healing.

Perception of Time and Accelerated Wound Healing

by HandpickedHealthScience

⚫Healing happens faster when the person believes that time is progressing more quickly than it actually is.
⚫The study conducted by Harvard University psychologists suggests that psychological factors should be considered when helping people recover from injury and illness
⚫The relationship between the brain and the body is broader than previously thought, supporting the theory of mind-body unity.
⚫The perception of time can directly affect the physical healing process, independent of the actual elapsed time.

The Broken Column, 1944 self-portrait by Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo

Existentialism and Search for the Individual

by FeaturedSelf-Helps

⚫Embrace existentialism to find individual purpose through personal freedom and self-determination.
⚫Existentialism asserts life’s meaning is created by our own actions, fostering self-discovery and fulfilment.
⚫Emphasizing free will and choice, existentialism empowers individuals to consciously shape their destinies.
⚫Existentialism aids in understanding the human condition, promoting personal growth amid life’s complexities.