The breeze drifted through the silent night. The woman walked home as it past from behind her and carried on to the oaks that lined both sides of her street. The oaks touched high above, forming a giant tunnel, one which even streetlights found difficult to penetrate. Although the breeze disturbed the woman’s clothing, the... Continue Reading →
You Should Be Able To Say Why You Believe What You Believe
Several times a day, usually every day, we state our beliefs about the world to other people. It could be small things like, “My work sucks/is awesome” or “Pewdiepie is the best YouTuber”, or perhaps bigger things like, “We should all have freedom of speech” or “I like/dislike what the current government is doing with... Continue Reading →
Everyone Is Playing The Same Game of Make-Believe
We are all playing the same game of make believe. We are expected to, and expect others, to act in accordance with the societal norms. But these norms are fixed relatively. Anyone who has been to other countries knows that, in general, they will have a very different experience in Mexico than in Japan. Going... Continue Reading →
We Dislike What We Don’t Understand
Personal preference is a part of what makes us all unique. We all have different likes and dislikes. But could we dislike things simply because we don’t understand them?The philosopher John Stuart Mill theorises that if one has experienced both higher and lower pleasures then they will always choose the higher pleasure. One would always... Continue Reading →
The Problem of Knowledge
When we have a comprehensive understanding of a topic we often think that we would also be the best person to teach that topic. If you know a lot about physical training and diet then your friends might ask you frequently how to get fit or lose weight. Whatever your job is, people will ask... Continue Reading →
Excuses to Avoid Criticism
Criticism is one of the best ways to validate our ideas. In order for us to truly develop an idea to it’s logical conclusion we must expose that idea to criticism and even argument. But most of us have many ways we avoid sharing a dialog over our ideas. The most common things we say... Continue Reading →
Perceived Truth or Objective Truth
What is more important, people’s perception of truth or objective truth? The answer will depend on what we value the most. If we value truth the most then what is objectively true is going to be the most important. But what if we value wellbeing the most? And what if we are talking about things... Continue Reading →
The Benefits of Impersonality
We are each the centre of the universe. At least this is how we experience the world from our own unique and subjective point of view. This is something that we all have in common. We are each the centre of our own universe. What most of us fail to realise is that we are... Continue Reading →
On Tragedy and Appreciation
We will all experience tragedy. Every one of us will lose someone or some thing we love. The only people to escape this pain are the ones who leave us early, leaving us to experience the pain of not just loss, but the loss of someone who has gone too soon.Having lost several friends and... Continue Reading →
Beliefs and Social Influences
It’s easy to forget what it was like when you were a child and an adult’s word was law. I remember asking a family member if Hell was real when I was a child and they replied “yes” with such certainty that I was instantly compelled to know that it must be true. When we... Continue Reading →