What is Cynicism?
Cynicism is a philosophical attitude that is generally characterized by skepticism, disbelief, and a negative view of the world and human nature. Cynics often see others as motivated primarily by Continue Reading
The Lessons of Plato, applied to Modernity
Plato’s ideas and philosophy have had a significant impact on Western thought and continue to be studied and debated today. Indeed it’s often said that the entirety of Western Civilisation Continue Reading
What is Aesthetics?
Introduction Aesthetics is a philosophical discipline that seeks to understand and appreciate beauty, art, and taste. It is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of art and how Continue Reading
Who was Arthur Schopenhauer?
Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher who lived in the 19th century and is known for his philosophical system that emphasizes the futility of human existence and the pessimistic nature Continue Reading
Thoughts on Locke’s ideas on solidity
One major philosopher sired by the British isles we call all be proud of is John Locke, who was born in Somerset, England, and educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where Continue Reading
Cicero, the Roman I most admire…
Marcus Tullius Cicero, was a man of exceptional talent, intelligence and integrity, who I like to call Rome’s most learned man. A polymath skilled in a range of areas such Continue Reading
Jungian Psychology: What is the Collective Unconscious?
In Jungian psychology, the collective unconscious is a term used to describe a level of the psyche that is shared by all human beings and is made up of archetypes, Continue Reading
The Will To Power
The “will to power” is a magnificent concept anyone will find within the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. It refers to the innate drive that plays a crucial role in the Continue Reading
Who was Plato and why is he important in the Western Canon?
Plato (428 – 348BC) is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the development of Western Continue Reading
The Lotus-eaters and the static utopia
Within the entertaining world that is Greek Mythology, there is of course the great classic of Homer’s Odyssey. The story focuses on the titular protagonist, Odysseus, Greek hero of the Continue Reading
The Origin of Love…
We’ve all had those moments when without warning we meet the gaze of a random stranger and time seems to stop. Without so much as a word they empty their Continue Reading
The psychological reason why you shouldn’t force your religious beliefs on anyone.
When I was a kid growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s there was a popular saying doing the rounds that went along the lines of ‘never discuss religion and Continue Reading
What is philosophy for?
Let’s begin by saying something bold, philosophy is first and foremost about using the rational faculty that all human beings possess to determine personal happiness. In order to find happiness, Continue Reading
Why am I Anxious?
Why am I anxious? Your conscious mind is like an ant that rides on top of an elephant. It might think that it’s in charge, but it isn’t! Continue Reading
What is a philosophy?
There is a great deal of information present within all of reality, so much so that the sensory input of it all can be overwhelming. Human brains, minds and sensory Continue Reading
No Ship of Theseus
Theseus’ paradox has been a contested thought puzzle throughout the ages of Western philosophy. The Ancient Greek philosophers were known for having heated debates circling in about the ship’s Continue Reading
Schopenhauer and Presentism
While reading On the Vanity of Existence, an essay by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, I came across this which I will share the excerpt: “That which has been exists no Continue Reading
A stab in Schopenhauerian pessimism – enjoy youth while you can…
“In early youth, as we contemplate our coming life, we are like children in a theatre before the curtain is raised, sitting there in high spirits and eagerly waiting Continue Reading