It’s Your Choice

Wisdom

Hiding with Zombie Guts

William Irwin Ph.D. on April 30, 2019

Hiding well does not necessarily mean hiding totally. We need to choose wisely.

Hiding well does not necessarily mean hiding totally. We need to choose wisely.

Spirituality

Searching the Stars for Transcendence and Faith

William Irwin Ph.D. on December 3, 2018

Science rests on the unprovable claims, but nothing like the experience of faith is required to believe those fundamental yet defeasible claims.

Science rests on the unprovable claims, but nothing like the experience of faith is required to believe those fundamental yet defeasible claims.

Meditation

Meditation, the Monkey Mind, and Butterflies

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 16, 2018

Minds, like monkeys, can’t seem to stay still. They jump from one place to another in unpredictable ways. Meditation can tame the monkey mind.

Minds, like monkeys, can’t seem to stay still. They jump from one place to another in unpredictable ways. Meditation can tame the monkey mind.

Philosophy

Become Who You Are With Nietzsche and Hesse

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 2, 2018

We become stronger by suffering and overcoming. To become who you are is to always be in the process of dying to one way of being—so that you can become something else.

We become stronger by suffering and overcoming. To become who you are is to always be in the process of dying to one way of being—so that you can become something else.

Dreaming

Sons in Search of Fathers, Fathers in Search of Sons

William Irwin Ph.D. on October 19, 2018

We should not try to make our sons into new and improved versions of ourselves. We need to let them be who they are, let them walk their own paths.

We should not try to make our sons into new and improved versions of ourselves. We need to let them be who they are, let them walk their own paths.

Meditation

Clear the Roadblocks to Meditation

William Irwin Ph.D. on January 11, 2018

Meditation relieves stress, improves health, and augments performance at work. So what’s stopping you? A new book addresses some of the common roadblocks.

Meditation relieves stress, improves health, and augments performance at work. So what’s stopping you? A new book addresses some of the common roadblocks.

Introversion

That’s Awkward

William Irwin Ph.D. on July 6, 2017

Awkward people are not socially fluent because they are often unable to read social cues and follow social scripts. They may be culpably ignorant but they can be awesome.

Awkward people are not socially fluent because they are often unable to read social cues and follow social scripts. They may be culpably ignorant but they can be awesome.

Introversion

The Authentic Introvert

William Irwin Ph.D. on May 3, 2017

Because the introvert may be highly concerned with being authentic, we may wonder whether there is anything wrong with an introvert “passing” as an extrovert.

Because the introvert may be highly concerned with being authentic, we may wonder whether there is anything wrong with an introvert “passing” as an extrovert.

The pursuit of a lofty height diminishes appreciation of the present state of affairs. We need to have a healthy relationship with ambition.

Philosophy

The Libertarian Moment Is Now

William Irwin Ph.D. on May 31, 2016

In a culture that craves choices and options, in which we can order our coffee in 87,000 different ways at Starbucks, shouldn’t we have more than two choices for president?

In a culture that craves choices and options, in which we can order our coffee in 87,000 different ways at Starbucks, shouldn’t we have more than two choices for president?

President Donald Trump

The Manliness of Donald Trump

William Irwin Ph.D. on May 16, 2016

Not since Ronald Reagan has America had a manly president, and maybe that’s a good thing. Trump’s “us vs. them” mentality appeals to our visceral, unthinking instincts.

Not since Ronald Reagan has America had a manly president, and maybe that’s a good thing. Trump’s “us vs. them” mentality appeals to our visceral, unthinking instincts.

Motivation

The Equal Tax

William Irwin Ph.D. on April 14, 2016

Would you join an organization that wanted you to pay more for the same benefits as everyone else just because you have a higher income?

Would you join an organization that wanted you to pay more for the same benefits as everyone else just because you have a higher income?

Philosophy

Marxism at the Existentialist Café

William Irwin Ph.D. on March 23, 2016

Sartre and company would have been more honest if they recognized that their Marxism was at odds with their existentialism.

Sartre and company would have been more honest if they recognized that their Marxism was at odds with their existentialism.

Relationships

Love, Selfishness, and Self-Interest

William Irwin Ph.D. on February 11, 2016

Does one really love the other person, or does one just love the feeling of being in love? Are we doomed to solitude? Or can we build a bridge between the self and other?

Does one really love the other person, or does one just love the feeling of being in love? Are we doomed to solitude? Or can we build a bridge between the self and other?

Optimism

Rational Optimism Illuminates the Evolution of Everything

William Irwin Ph.D. on December 9, 2015

The rational optimist hopes for a future that will bring increasing health, wealth, peace, and prosperity largely as a result of accidental, emergent, and unplanned phenomena.

The rational optimist hopes for a future that will bring increasing health, wealth, peace, and prosperity largely as a result of accidental, emergent, and unplanned phenomena.

Gratitude

The Daily Gratitude List

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 25, 2015

My gratitude list started for me as a cure for self-pity, but it has now become a matter of prevention for all kind of negative thoughts and feelings.

My gratitude list started for me as a cure for self-pity, but it has now become a matter of prevention for all kind of negative thoughts and feelings.

Jealousy

Income Inequality, Fairness, and Envy

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 24, 2015

Life does not guarantee approximate equality of outcomes, and the demand for such equality in the name of fairness is grounded in envy and resentment. You can change your frame of reference to turn envy into gratitude.

Life does not guarantee approximate equality of outcomes, and the demand for such equality in the name of fairness is grounded in envy and resentment. You can change your frame of reference to turn envy into gratitude.

Deception

Income Inequality and Bullsh*t

William Irwin Ph.D. on November 19, 2015

We all need to have enough income, but enough is not determined by how much our neighbors earn. It is incumbent upon each of us to define ourselves as individuals.

We all need to have enough income, but enough is not determined by how much our neighbors earn. It is incumbent upon each of us to define ourselves as individuals.