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The Philosopher's Diaries

Thoughts on persons and things.

Philosophy
Stoicism as a Fad and a Philosophy

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on August 4, 2022

Popularizers of Stoicism are said to sell the teaching "as a life hack, without apology." Is Stoicism a life hack? If not, why is it trending?

Popularizers of Stoicism are said to sell the teaching "as a life hack, without apology." Is Stoicism a life hack? If not, why is it trending?

Therapy
When Therapy Is Unsuccessful

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 7, 2022

Many who try therapy say that the process does nothing for them. What leads to therapy failures, and how can a client find success?

Many who try therapy say that the process does nothing for them. What leads to therapy failures, and how can a client find success?

Media
Is Social Media Validation an Illusion?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 5, 2022

When you are looking for social validation, the reactions of two thousand strangers online may have more weight than those of the two friends you are having coffee with.

When you are looking for social validation, the reactions of two thousand strangers online may have more weight than those of the two friends you are having coffee with.

Neuroscience
Can You Split the Mind by Splitting the Brain?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on October 5, 2021

Nobel Prize-winning research has purported to show that when you split a person's brain in two, you split the mind. New research casts doubt on those findings.

Nobel Prize-winning research has purported to show that when you split a person's brain in two, you split the mind. New research casts doubt on those findings.

Environment
Is the Meaning of Life an Illusion?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on October 3, 2021

Jean-Paul Sartre once suggested that the moment we realize we are not immortal, we see the meaning of life as an illusion. But perhaps, that's not quite right.

Jean-Paul Sartre once suggested that the moment we realize we are not immortal, we see the meaning of life as an illusion. But perhaps, that's not quite right.

Deception
The Need to Be Always Right

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on September 19, 2021

Some people need to be right always. They won’t admit defeat even in the face of compelling contrary evidence. But what does a person achieve by insisting on being always right?

Some people need to be right always. They won’t admit defeat even in the face of compelling contrary evidence. But what does a person achieve by insisting on being always right?

Resilience
After Failure

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on September 4, 2021

Some people find failure so painful and unpleasant that they never undertake a project when failure is a probable outcome. Why?

Some people find failure so painful and unpleasant that they never undertake a project when failure is a probable outcome. Why?

Forgiveness
Why We Say Hurtful Things We Don't Mean

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 26, 2021

Occasionally, we say hurtful things we don't really mean. We wish we could take it all back but cannot. Yet perhaps, while the past cannot be changed, something can be done.

Occasionally, we say hurtful things we don't really mean. We wish we could take it all back but cannot. Yet perhaps, while the past cannot be changed, something can be done.

Cognition
Are We Afraid of Freedom?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 17, 2021

We often avoid thinking and choosing for ourselves. Instead, we adopt other people's opinions and ways of life. Why?

We often avoid thinking and choosing for ourselves. Instead, we adopt other people's opinions and ways of life. Why?

Procrastination
I Procrastinated by Writing This Post

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 4, 2021

I may be procrastinating in writing this post. You may be procrastinating in reading it. Should both of us be doing something else instead?

I may be procrastinating in writing this post. You may be procrastinating in reading it. Should both of us be doing something else instead?

Gratitude
Would You Change Your Past if You Could?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on July 2, 2021

We often come to embrace the bad parts of our past. For instance, in an interview, a Portland biker reports feeling grateful for an accident that nearly killed him. Why?

We often come to embrace the bad parts of our past. For instance, in an interview, a Portland biker reports feeling grateful for an accident that nearly killed him. Why?

Emotions
Where Suppressed Emotions Go

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Sometimes, a terrible thing happens to us, but we go on as if nothing happened. We do not allow ourselves to feel. What happens to those emotions?

Sometimes, a terrible thing happens to us, but we go on as if nothing happened. We do not allow ourselves to feel. What happens to those emotions?

Authenticity
How People Become Pretentious

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 22, 2021

We profess to dislike pretentiousness and to prefer authenticity. But often, we do not discourage pretentiousness and may do the opposite: adopt the mannerisms of the snobs.

We profess to dislike pretentiousness and to prefer authenticity. But often, we do not discourage pretentiousness and may do the opposite: adopt the mannerisms of the snobs.

Happiness
What Is a Child?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 20, 2021

We imagine that children do not belong to the same species as adults -- that they have needs and desires different from ours. But a child's psychology is rather like our own.

We imagine that children do not belong to the same species as adults -- that they have needs and desires different from ours. But a child's psychology is rather like our own.

Freudian Psychology
Why We Choose to Act Against Our Own Interests

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 15, 2021

We do not always act in our own interest. There are forces in the human psyche, inner demons, that may propel us to act contrary to reason. What are they? Why do we have them?

We do not always act in our own interest. There are forces in the human psyche, inner demons, that may propel us to act contrary to reason. What are they? Why do we have them?