Everyday Philosophy: The contrasting merits of pessimism and optimism
Introducing a new weekly column by Nigel Warburton, one of the world’s most-read philosophers.
«Most great philosophers have been pessimists»
More from The New European - Think Without Borders
Trussonomics is dead already ... strangled at birth by ferocious market forces
The schoolboy errors in Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget have put the UK economy at risk and dealt the PM a self-inflicted blow from which she may not recover
Everyday Philosophy: How much intolerance should a tolerant society tolerate?
Can be the rise in intolerance in Europe be attributed to dog-whistle politics, or is there more to it?
«Historically, tolerant societies have not been very successful at stemming intolerance or choosing when or how to act.»
Everyday Philosophy: Anger - is it always a bad emotion?
There are different kinds of anger - some good and some bad. The right kind of anger can be valuable.
«Seneca was heavily influenced by Stoicism, a philosophy that holds that we should control our emotions, not be their victims.»
Everyday Philosophy: Derek Parfit, Star Trek and the self
The philosopher turned to Star Trek to tackle some of life's biggest questions
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Good Grief
Fortunate is the person who has reached the age of 50 without having had to grieve. To be among the grieving, the bereaved, is an experience most of us go through, excepting only those who die…
«Grief presents us with a rare opportunity to relate to ourselves more fully, rationally, and lovingly.»
The Last Time Always Happens Now
We're constantly doing things for what will be the last time -- and we have no idea.
A Philosopher's Case Against Death
The acceptance of death is deeply embedded in our culture; it's time to overthrow that idea.
Solitude is not loneliness. Here's the key philosophical difference.
Being alone can be the fertile ground of great creativity. For others, it's the door to a dark, spiralling depression.
«When we take time to ourselves, we give ourselves space to imagine. When our mind is not constantly bombarded with content, it can create.»
Life Is Hard. And That’s Good
When the going gets tough, the tough get philosophical.
«The right perspective in which to think about grief is that it is a manifestation of persisting love,”»
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