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Philosophy and pop culture

Philosophy
Why I Believe in Bigfoot

William Irwin Ph.D. on May 15, 2015

No, I don’t believe THAT Bigfoot exists. I just believe it is possible. What’s more, I believe IN Bigfoot. I believe IN Bigfoot the way I would believe IN a friend’s innocence even if I didn’t believe THAT he was innocent. I believe IN Bigfoot precisely because I don’t believe IN much else.

No, I don’t believe THAT Bigfoot exists. I just believe it is possible. What’s more, I believe IN Bigfoot. I believe IN Bigfoot the way I would believe IN a friend’s innocence even if I didn’t believe THAT he was innocent. I believe IN Bigfoot precisely because I don’t believe IN much else.

Flow
Transcendence with The Boys in the Boat

William Irwin Ph.D. on April 1, 2015

Being part of something greater than ourselves not only displaces suffering but lifts us up, giving an exultant sense of purpose.

Being part of something greater than ourselves not only displaces suffering but lifts us up, giving an exultant sense of purpose.

Philosophy
Does Santa Exist? A Review

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on December 5, 2014

Hollywood writer Eric Kaplan, known for his work on "The Big Bang Theory," has a book that (it's been said) uses philosophy to hilariously examine the question of Santa's existence. Unfortunately, it's ultimately just a thinly veiled attempt to argue for God's existence and his variety of Jewish Mysticism.

Hollywood writer Eric Kaplan, known for his work on "The Big Bang Theory," has a book that (it's been said) uses philosophy to hilariously examine the question of Santa's existence. Unfortunately, it's ultimately just a thinly veiled attempt to argue for God's existence and his variety of Jewish Mysticism.

Happiness
How to Be Happy with Adam Smith

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 14, 2014

Perhaps surprisingly, Adam Smith does not recommend the pursuit of fame and fortune. Instead, he says that we naturally desire to be loved and to be lovely. Happiness requires being worthy of respect and esteem.

Perhaps surprisingly, Adam Smith does not recommend the pursuit of fame and fortune. Instead, he says that we naturally desire to be loved and to be lovely. Happiness requires being worthy of respect and esteem.

Punishment
Unbroken Hope

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 3, 2014

Louis Zamperini, the Olympic runner who was brutalized as a prisoner of war in Japan, teaches us the importance of hope in hopeless situations.

Louis Zamperini, the Olympic runner who was brutalized as a prisoner of war in Japan, teaches us the importance of hope in hopeless situations.

Artificial Intelligence
Transcending the Criticisms of Transcendence

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on July 25, 2014

The critics lampooned Transcendence as just another movie about the idea that technology and computers are dangerous. But, it turns out, it’s a movie about just how dangerous that idea is.

The critics lampooned Transcendence as just another movie about the idea that technology and computers are dangerous. But, it turns out, it’s a movie about just how dangerous that idea is.

Friends
How to Be 1 Percent Happier

William Irwin Ph.D. on June 4, 2014

Listening to happy songs in the morning has made me 1 percent happier. Try it. Your results may vary.

Listening to happy songs in the morning has made me 1 percent happier. Try it. Your results may vary.

Forgiveness
Loathe Thy Neighbor?

William Irwin Ph.D. on May 8, 2014

Loathing is closely tied to feelings of disgust or annoyance, and it does not necessarily involve resentment. Additionally, loathing seems to be triggered by direct stimulation whereas hatred can persist without direct stimulation. There’s a subjective and irrational element to loathing. So what’s the solution? Tolerance? Loathe and let loathe?

Loathing is closely tied to feelings of disgust or annoyance, and it does not necessarily involve resentment. Additionally, loathing seems to be triggered by direct stimulation whereas hatred can persist without direct stimulation. There’s a subjective and irrational element to loathing. So what’s the solution? Tolerance? Loathe and let loathe?

Meditation
How to Be 10% Happier

William Irwin Ph.D. on April 9, 2014

Essentially what meditation delivers is the ability to respond rather than react. It provides a fraction of a second delay, just enough time to reconsider whether I really want to do or say what the voice in my head is urging. It’s the mental equivalent of the seven-second delay that awards shows use to guard against profanity-laced rants by Kanye West and his ilk.

Essentially what meditation delivers is the ability to respond rather than react. It provides a fraction of a second delay, just enough time to reconsider whether I really want to do or say what the voice in my head is urging. It’s the mental equivalent of the seven-second delay that awards shows use to guard against profanity-laced rants by Kanye West and his ilk.

Self-Control
The Triple Package and Nietzsche

William Irwin Ph.D. on February 14, 2014

Chua and Rubenfeld argue that a triple-package culture, characterized by a superiority complex, a sense of insecurity, and impulse control, leads to success. That may be, but Nietzsche shows us that it's an even better explanation of individual success.

Chua and Rubenfeld argue that a triple-package culture, characterized by a superiority complex, a sense of insecurity, and impulse control, leads to success. That may be, but Nietzsche shows us that it's an even better explanation of individual success.

Relapse
Philip Seymour Hoffman and the Russian Roulette of Relapse

William Irwin Ph.D. on February 7, 2014

When Mr. Hoffman took heroin for the first time in 23 years he was, in effect, playing Russian roulette. No amount of time away from the addictive substance is enough to erase the addiction. Addiction can be treated but it cannot be cured. It’s not okay to have a relapse, but if you have a relapse it’s okay to come back into recovery.

When Mr. Hoffman took heroin for the first time in 23 years he was, in effect, playing Russian roulette. No amount of time away from the addictive substance is enough to erase the addiction. Addiction can be treated but it cannot be cured. It’s not okay to have a relapse, but if you have a relapse it’s okay to come back into recovery.

Child Development
In Praise of Snake Handling

William Irwin Ph.D. on January 19, 2014

Snake handlers are following verses that were not in the original version of the Gospel of Mark. Scholars reason that Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were added in Mark 16: 9-20 because second-century scribes were uncomfortable with the Gospel ending without them. But I say that kind of discomfort is good for faith because it introduces an element of the absurd.

Snake handlers are following verses that were not in the original version of the Gospel of Mark. Scholars reason that Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were added in Mark 16: 9-20 because second-century scribes were uncomfortable with the Gospel ending without them. But I say that kind of discomfort is good for faith because it introduces an element of the absurd.

Career
Who Is The War Doctor? Part Two (Renumbering the Doctors)

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on November 25, 2013

The 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who raises serious questions. Do we now have to renumber the doctors? Yes, in fact, we do. Despite what Steven Moffat says, John Hurt is the 9th doctor.

The 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who raises serious questions. Do we now have to renumber the doctors? Yes, in fact, we do. Despite what Steven Moffat says, John Hurt is the 9th doctor.

Fantasies
Who Is The War Doctor? Part One

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on November 19, 2013

John Hurt is playing "The War Doctor" in the upcoming 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, “The Day of the Doctor.” But who is The War Doctor? Is he the Doctor? And if not, who might he be instead?

John Hurt is playing "The War Doctor" in the upcoming 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, “The Day of the Doctor.” But who is The War Doctor? Is he the Doctor? And if not, who might he be instead?

Philosophy
Black Sabbath, Shakespeare, and Existentialism

William Irwin Ph.D. on June 14, 2013

Black Sabbath and philosophy are the best combination since peanut butter and chocolate. When Ozzy wails “dying is easy it’s living that’s hard” over Iommi’s surreal, bluesy riff you know it’s true. And you know in a flash what existentialism is in a way you never could by reading Sartre.

Black Sabbath and philosophy are the best combination since peanut butter and chocolate. When Ozzy wails “dying is easy it’s living that’s hard” over Iommi’s surreal, bluesy riff you know it’s true. And you know in a flash what existentialism is in a way you never could by reading Sartre.

Ethics and Morality
The Ethics of Star Trek: Into Darkness

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D. on May 18, 2013

In Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Enterprise crew struggles to decide what is morally right and wrong. How can philosophy shed light on their questions, and the moral questions that we face in our own lives?

In Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Enterprise crew struggles to decide what is morally right and wrong. How can philosophy shed light on their questions, and the moral questions that we face in our own lives?