Blogs

Renegade Philosophers, and the Art of Changing Your Mind

Renegade Philosophers, and the Art of Changing Your Mind

Two philosophers from the ancient world who changed their minds: Timocrates the (former) Epicurean, and Dionysius the (former) Stoic.

Zou Yan, Yin and Yang, and the Nature of Change

Zou Yan, Yin and Yang, and the Nature of Change

The Chinese philosopher Zou Yan is credited with developing theories of Yin and Yang.

Sounds Plausible? The Philosophy of Carneades

Sounds Plausible? The Philosophy of Carneades

The philosopher Carneades advocated giving up on ideas of truth and the good life, arguing that we should focus instead on what is plausible.

Justifying Ritual with Jaimini

Justifying Ritual with Jaimini

The Indian philosopher Jaimini, founder of the Mīmāṃsā tradition, on why religious ritual is its own justification.

Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu and the Possibility of Hope

Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu and the Possibility of Hope

Desmond Tutu, and the idea of ubuntu: we are, because we belong.

Andy West on Philosophy, Prison, Freedom and Shame

Andy West on Philosophy, Prison, Freedom and Shame

A Looking for Wisdom exclusive interview with philosopher Andy West, about prison, shame, freedom and philosophy.

Getting Smart About Pleasure: The Philosophy of Epicurus

Getting Smart About Pleasure: The Philosophy of Epicurus

The trouble with pleasure, according to the philosopher Epicurus, is that we're not very good at it.

The Tastiness of the Gift

The Tastiness of the Gift

An alternative theory of gift-giving, drawing on philosophy from the Tanimbar islands of Indonesia, and from the philosophical traditions of India.

The Philosophy of Giving

The Philosophy of Giving

Christmas is on the way, and you are facing your biggest philosophical challenge of the year: what gift do you get for a man like Uncle Pedro?

Chrysippus on How to Manage Our Emotions

Chrysippus on How to Manage Our Emotions

The philosopher Chrysippus believed that emotions are not things that happen to us, but things that we do. This means that we can bring emotion under the control of reason.

Ritual Shapes the World

Ritual Shapes the World

According to both philosophers of Ancient China and those of the Ancient Maya world, ritual has a powerful role to play in shaping ourselves - and the world.

It's a Kind of Magic: The Philosophy of Ritual

It's a Kind of Magic: The Philosophy of Ritual

Getting philosophical about ritual, from Confucius and spirit sacrifice in Ancient China to the everyday miracle of shaking hands.