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Mind & Behavior

Study the science of how we think, feel, and act, with insights that help you better understand yourself and others.

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A digital illustration of a hermit crab with a shell resembling a human brain, shown in two square sections over the shell.
Mini Philosophy
Think like a crow, choose like a crab: The animals inside our minds
A conversation about intelligence and consciousness with philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith.
Jonny Thomson
Black and white close-up of an older man with glasses, a bushy mustache, and beard, resting his chin on his hand and looking directly at the camera.
Thinking
Daniel Dennett: Consciousness is no miracle. It’s a magic trick.
"For many people, the idea that consciousness is a set of tricks is offensive," the late philosopher told Big Think in 2012. "I think that's a prime mistake."
Jonny Thomson
Abstract illustration of a human figure with glowing neural-like lines and bright light concentrated around the head, set against a red and orange gradient background.
Thinking
A letter from the editor
Introducing Big Think's Consciousness Issue.
Stephen Johnson
Three circles show, from left to right, an oyster shell, a Vitruvian-style human figure, and a swirling spiral, linked together on a textured lavender background.
The Past
The philosophers who predicted “ultimate” forms of consciousness
Philosophers once prophesied that evolution would lead to minds far greater — and stranger — than our own.
Thomas Moynihan
A minimalist drawing of a duck outlined in white against a gradient background, with an orange star shape marking the eye, invites you to question your perception.
The Learning Curve
Why you should always question your perceptions
“Who ya gonna believe: me or your own eyes?” Until you can assess your perception, the answer should be neither.
Kevin Dickinson
A grayscale portrait of David Senra is centered on a collage background featuring a marble statue, abstract black-and-white swirls, and purple book spines.
Business
The David Senra interview: “Use history as a form of leverage”
The host of the Founders podcast joins Big Think for a chat about success, obsession, business genius, human nature, and more.
Tim Brinkhof
Close-up of a human eye with a digital interface overlay and a red laser beam targeting the pupil, illustrating the science of LASIK and advanced vision correction technology.
Starts With A Bang
The science behind LASIK
For many of us, our imperfect vision compels us to wear corrective lenses to see properly. Here's what everyone should know about LASIK.
Ethan Siegel
Book cover of "The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life" by Arthur C. Brooks, featuring a yellow background with white steps, Harvard Business Review branding, and insights from renowned author Arthur C. Brooks.
Business
How to give compliments and criticism for a happier work life
Harvard Kennedy School professor and author Arthur C. Brooks guides us through the give-and-take of feedback — even when it is negative.
Arthur C. Brooks
A hand pulls a green book from a library shelf, surrounded by tsundoku—the gentle art of collecting more books than you can read—with the silhouette of a person formed from the bookshelf and books.
Neuropsych
What our shelves of unread books teach us about ourselves
The Japanese practice of "tsundoku" bestows joy and lasting benefits to those who make books an important part of their lives.
Kevin Dickinson
Two men in suits sit side by side, each holding a white cup and saucer, with only their torsos and hands visible—one could easily imagine Aaron Hurst sharing a thoughtful conversation over coffee.
Business
How “6 points of connection” can repair our shared trust
Social entrepreneur Aaron Hurst explains why the decline of social connection is the greatest challenge of our time — and offers a roadmap for restoration.
Aaron Hurst
A man with a bald head and beard sits on a chair with arms resting on his lap, in front of a yellow rectangle with black lines and dots extending outward.
Big Think+
4 requirements for high performance
Why talent alone isn’t enough to achieve your goals.
Josh Browning
Illustration of a skateboarder in mid-air performing a trick, with labeled rotation angles (720°, 900°) and the term “McTwist” on a blue sky background with clouds.
Smart Skills
How to instantly be better at things
Just pretend you're someone else.
Cate Hall
Collage with a man in a suit, stacked mugs, an upside-down creature, dice, and the text "THE NIGHTCRAWLER" at the top on a dark grid background—hinting at the power of intuition amid surreal imagery.
Business
The importance of intuition and the limits of rationalism
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Eric Markowitz
A person wearing a wide-brim hat and vest crouches beside a tree stump covered with various fungi, gazing in wonder at the fascinating growths in the green forested area.
Mini Philosophy
3 ways to find and invite more wonder
Wonder is like a guest you haven’t planned for.
Jonny Thomson
An older man with white hair and a suit receives a document from another man in a robe during an event, as several people look on in the background. In the age of viral misquotes, capturing such moments accurately becomes ever more crucial.
High Culture
Einstein didn’t say that: How viral misquotes evolve and replicate
From Einstein to Twain, Garson O’Toole investigates the truth behind your favorite — and often misattributed — quotes.
Kevin Dickinson
A group of people in ancient attire react to shadows cast on a wall, referencing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.
Thinking
The thought experiments that test your life, not your logic
Why some of philosophy’s strangest scenarios are more than mental games.
Shai Tubali
Alex Partridge, a man with short hair and light facial hair, poses for a portrait. The background features abstract geometric and textured patterns in green, black, white, and blue.
Business
The Alex Partridge interview: “Humans thrive through storytelling”
The UNILAD founder followed a rocky road to success — and his 2023 ADHD diagnosis proved revelatory.
Mike Hodgkinson
A digital collage with overlapping purple-tinted images, including a traditional building and a sculpture, explores panpsychism under the title "The Nightcrawler" on a black grid background.
Business
On consciousness, AI, and panpsychism
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Eric Markowitz
Pixelated grayscale close-up of an AI prince's face with strong contrast and visible mosaic-like squares.
Business
Leadership philosophy: Why Machiavelli’s “virtù” fits hand-in-glove with AI
Author and geopolitical strategist Paulo Cardoso do Amaral urges us to ask: Will we shape AI with wisdom, or will AI reshape us with strategy?
Paulo Cardoso do Amaral
A man with a bald head and gray goatee smiles at the camera. Above his head, a thought bubble filled with red scribbles hints at the inner thoughts of John Amaechi.
Books
John Amaechi shares the 6 books that changed his thinking
The psychologist, educator, and former NBA player discusses the professional volumes and childhood stories that shaped his life and his approach to it.
Big Think+
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