Our Human Condition

Suicide

Despair and the Crisis of Meaning

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on May 3, 2024

Despair is a common experience. For some thinkers, despair arises from the desire not to be yourself. Nevertheless, it is possible to find joy in the face of profound suffering.

Despair is a common experience. For some thinkers, despair arises from the desire not to be yourself. Nevertheless, it is possible to find joy in the face of profound suffering.

Resilience

It’s Good to Fail

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

Our fixation with success convinces us that we are independent and self-sufficient. An honest acknowledgment of failure, however, allows us to humbly accept our need for others.

Our fixation with success convinces us that we are independent and self-sufficient. An honest acknowledgment of failure, however, allows us to humbly accept our need for others.

Philosophy

We Overthink Things

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on February 27, 2024

We all experience anxiety but struggle to understand it. For existential philosophers, anxiety is rooted in self-awareness. Yet, self-awareness may provide a path beyond it.

We all experience anxiety but struggle to understand it. For existential philosophers, anxiety is rooted in self-awareness. Yet, self-awareness may provide a path beyond it.

Freudian Psychology

Failed Resolutions and Broken Promises

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on January 30, 2024

Humans often find themselves making the same mistakes. Such self-defeating behavior can only be reckoned with if one is willing to remember and work through past traumas.

Humans often find themselves making the same mistakes. Such self-defeating behavior can only be reckoned with if one is willing to remember and work through past traumas.

Philosophy

Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on January 8, 2024

We are meaning-seeking creatures. Yet our desire for understanding is often stifled. This awakens us to the painful absurdity of existence. Candor and humor can help.

We are meaning-seeking creatures. Yet our desire for understanding is often stifled. This awakens us to the painful absurdity of existence. Candor and humor can help.

Religion

The Fear of God in Therapy

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Though rarely discussed, religious experiences are far from rare. Theology provides a language for the feelings of awe and dread that result from a run-in with the wholly other.

Though rarely discussed, religious experiences are far from rare. Theology provides a language for the feelings of awe and dread that result from a run-in with the wholly other.

Imagination

How Literature Teaches Compassion Over Condescension

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on October 30, 2023

Today, fuller notions of compassion seem to be on the wane. Reading great literature, however, can reverse the trend by inviting us to imagine our way into the minds of others.

Today, fuller notions of compassion seem to be on the wane. Reading great literature, however, can reverse the trend by inviting us to imagine our way into the minds of others.

Philosophy

Remember, Thou Art Dust

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Every therapist will see a client wrestling with questions of death. Philosophy can help us to be more present to the suffering of others by reminding us of our own mortality.

Every therapist will see a client wrestling with questions of death. Philosophy can help us to be more present to the suffering of others by reminding us of our own mortality.

Psychology

Inviting Psychology to the Cocktail Party

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on August 30, 2023

In recent decades, psychology has become the dominant means of making sense of experience and forming identity. This comes with responsibility and opportunity.

In recent decades, psychology has become the dominant means of making sense of experience and forming identity. This comes with responsibility and opportunity.