Spreading the Word: Feeling Lonely When Not Alone

Loneliness is a vulnerability we all, as human beings, are exposed to. While there are different ways each of us experiences loneliness, what we all share is the risk of feeling lonely. Perhaps it is an unavoidable risk, as much as we might want to escape it. But loneliness is not a single kind of … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Feeling Lonely When Not Alone

Philosophical Quote About Aging

Just as philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre was writing fiction, so did his lifelong partner, philosopher and feminist activist Simone de Beauvoir. Here is a short quote from her story "The Age of Discretion", in the voice of the main character, a recently retired former teacher, intellectual, active writer, mother, and wife. "Reflexions, echoes, reverberating back and … Continue reading Philosophical Quote About Aging

Philosophical Quote From Philosophical Novel

This is a short quote from Jean-Paul Sartre's novel "Nausea", thought by the novel's main (and practically only) character, a disillusioned historian. "I am beginning to believe that nothing can ever be proved. These are reasonable hypotheses which take the facts into account: but I am only too well aware that they come from me, … Continue reading Philosophical Quote From Philosophical Novel

Spreading the Word: How Events ‘Sink In’

What do we mean when we say that something important that happened to us has not yet 'sunk in'? What does this dynamic and extended process of 'sinking in' reveal about the nature of our emotional experiences? These are some of the fascinating questions that Matthew Ratcliffe (professor of philosophy at the University of York … Continue reading Spreading the Word: How Events ‘Sink In’

Spreading the Word: Reading for Unfamiliar

When we read a text looking for what is familiar (feels safe) to us, we run the risk of missing that which can expand our worldviews. How can we approach the unfamiliar in our reading practice? What can we reveal by venturing into the overlooked, underexplored, and, admittedly, sometimes intimidating aspects of books we read? … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Reading for Unfamiliar

What Is Philosophy – Part 4 (Final)

Last week, I began discussing the ‘way’ of philosophy as part of my series of articles that follow a recently published academic paper by philosopher Kuzin Vasily*. If you missed it, I recommend you start with part one and then proceed to the next, one after another (it will make more sense that way). In … Continue reading What Is Philosophy – Part 4 (Final)

What Is Philosophy – Part 3

Last week, I wrote about ‘the way of art’, the second post in a series exploring the question ‘what is philosophy’. The series follows a recently published academic article by philosopher Kuzin Vasily*. In case you missed it, I recommend you start with part one and part two before continuing with this post (it will … Continue reading What Is Philosophy – Part 3

What Is Philosophy – Part 2

Last week, I introduced a series of posts exploring the question ‘what is philosophy’. It follows a recently published academic article of the same title by philosopher Kuzin Vasily*. In case you missed it, I recommend you start with part one before continuing with this post (it will make more sense that way). Here, in … Continue reading What Is Philosophy – Part 2

Spreading the Word: Thinking When Reading and Listening

Have you noticed a difference in your thought process when reading and listening? Recent research suggests there is indeed a difference. We tend to think more intuitively, more automatically when we listen to something and more deliberately and analytically when we read something. While it is not entirely clear why this is so, one possible … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Thinking When Reading and Listening

What Is Philosophy – Part 1

Many of us think we know what philosophy or art is. At least until we are asked to explain them. A universal, clear definition eludes us. That does not mean we should stop reflecting on it. On the contrary, it makes things more interesting! Earlier this year, one more contribution to the debate arrived in … Continue reading What Is Philosophy – Part 1