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What Would Aristotle Do?

The power of reason.

Aging
The Commodification of the Elderly

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on September 18, 2024

Jokes about the elderly are socially acceptable, but it's not so funny when an elder is abused or neglected. In all seriousness, there is a connection.

Jokes about the elderly are socially acceptable, but it's not so funny when an elder is abused or neglected. In all seriousness, there is a connection.

Catastrophizing
What Is Your Catastrophizing Index?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on September 2, 2024

Do you catastrophize about things? This post shows how to measure your degree of catastrophizing and track your progress in overcoming this self-destructive cognitive distortion.

Do you catastrophize about things? This post shows how to measure your degree of catastrophizing and track your progress in overcoming this self-destructive cognitive distortion.

Cognition
The Noble Path of Logic-Based Therapy

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on July 31, 2024

Studies link Buddhist thinking with mental health. Logic-based therapy, a type of philosophical therapy, embraces this thinking, leading to a healthy sense of security.

Studies link Buddhist thinking with mental health. Logic-based therapy, a type of philosophical therapy, embraces this thinking, leading to a healthy sense of security.

Beaumont
Grief
Grieving the Loss of My Dog

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Recently, my dog passed away from adrenal cancer. I'm using philosophy to try to work through my grief.

A Personal Perspective: Recently, my dog passed away from adrenal cancer. I'm using philosophy to try to work through my grief.

Social Media
Morality, Violence, and Free Speech on Social Media

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on November 19, 2023

With the rise of social media, "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" takes on new meaning. What are the moral obligations of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X?

With the rise of social media, "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" takes on new meaning. What are the moral obligations of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X?

Anxiety
Using Modal Logic to Address Anxiety

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on May 12, 2023

Anxiety arises from the capacity of your imagination to frame dreaded possible worlds and then demand that they not be possible. Find out how to navigate such possible worlds.

Anxiety arises from the capacity of your imagination to frame dreaded possible worlds and then demand that they not be possible. Find out how to navigate such possible worlds.

Animal Behavior
Should Pet Euthanasia Against Owners' Wishes Be Legal?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on April 28, 2023

“They killed my dog against my will ... If I had known for one moment that they could legally do that without my permission, there's no way that I would have even brought him there.”

“They killed my dog against my will ... If I had known for one moment that they could legally do that without my permission, there's no way that I would have even brought him there.”

Imposter Syndrome
Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on June 9, 2022

You may be making yourself a slave to irrational thinking that keeps you in perpetual anxiety about being "exposed" as a fraud. Learn more about how to overcome it.

You may be making yourself a slave to irrational thinking that keeps you in perpetual anxiety about being "exposed" as a fraud. Learn more about how to overcome it.

Anxiety
How Contradiction Can Generate Mental Disorder

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on May 17, 2021

Humans are hard-wired to seek consistency. When a contradiction persists in their decisional reasoning premises, this can generate serious mental illness.

Humans are hard-wired to seek consistency. When a contradiction persists in their decisional reasoning premises, this can generate serious mental illness.

Decision-Making
Can Dogs Make Decisions?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on February 15, 2021

Dogs appear to have the native neurological endowment to draw practical inferences, and therefore to make decisions.

Dogs appear to have the native neurological endowment to draw practical inferences, and therefore to make decisions.

Wisdom
The Soul of a Nation

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on November 11, 2020

What did Joe Biden mean when he said he is fighting for the "soul of the nation"? A philosopher weighs in.

What did Joe Biden mean when he said he is fighting for the "soul of the nation"? A philosopher weighs in.

Anxiety
The Pandemic May Make Your Sexual Anxiety Worse

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on August 10, 2020

If you have sexual anxiety, the pandemic may be creating even more anxiety. Fortunately, there are still things you can do to safely improve your potential for sexual intimacy.

If you have sexual anxiety, the pandemic may be creating even more anxiety. Fortunately, there are still things you can do to safely improve your potential for sexual intimacy.