Philosophy

Philosophy

Examine life’s biggest questions, from ethics to existence, with curiosity and critical thinking.

Close-up view of a marble sculpture's lower face, showing a smile with detailed lips and chin against a dark background.
10mins
“If we're to be happy at all, it has to be found outside of this notion of pleasure. We have to step beyond hedonia. But the problem is that we risk going too far.”
A close-up of the quantum AI processor labeled "Willow" rests on a textured metallic surface, hinting at the mysteries of quantum computation and whispers of parallel universes.
By improving quantum error correction, quantum computations are now faster than ever. But parallel universes? That's utter nonsense here.
Google logo in large letters displayed on a glass building facade.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
A collage featuring hands holding a plant, additional hands in sepia tone, a grid background, orange accents, and the text "Reclaim Meaning" with the number 4.
What if the barrier to a fulfilled life isn’t technology but culture?
A digital vortex with glowing cyan concentric circles and geometric shapes giving a sense of depth and motion.
The problem for galactic-scale civilizations comes down to two numbers.
atoms
If atoms are mostly empty space, then why can't two objects made of atoms simply pass through each other? Quantum physics explains why.
Black and white portrait of a man with a thick mustache and short hair, looking slightly to the side.
“Could you create a god?” Nietzsche's titular character asks in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra."
A grand, ornate setting with three figures in flowing attire standing before a large, luminous circular window overlooking a vibrant cityscape.
With no reliable way to discern the author of an artwork, we may eventually abandon the question of whether something was made by humans or not.
A painting on an easel at the entrance of Plato's cave overlooks misty mountains, with a small fire flickering nearby.
Plato's cave metaphor illustrates the cognitive trap of ignorance, where we may be unaware of the limitations of our understanding.
A man looking at a mirror.
"Personhood" credentials could cleanse the internet of bots — but are the costs worth it?
A sepia-toned illustration of a man with wavy hair, reminiscent of Keats, resting his chin on his hand and gazing thoughtfully into the distance, embodying the contemplative patience of playing the long game.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Poster for the 1939 New York World's Fair, featuring a stylized skyline, ocean liner, and the slogan "The World of Tomorrow," encapsulating future visions that captivate imaginations and inspire exploration.
By looking back at future dreams we can see our current hopes and visions in a whole new light.
einstein general relativity curved spacetime
Most waves need a medium to travel through. But the way that light and gravitational waves travel shows that space can't be a medium at all.
A drawing of a dragon on a pile of gold, symbolizing hope.
For J.R.R. Tolkien, the single most important element of a fairy tale was the dramatic reversal of misfortune in the story's ending.
Close-up of a weathered wooden utility pole, marked with the number "2," standing resolute against cloudy skies—a testament to the enduring habits of nature and time.
This supremely simple hack can help you establish good habits, break bad ones, and guard against failure.
Diagram of atomic orbitals showing various shapes and labels, including s, p, d, and f orbitals, organized in a triangular structure with coordinate axes x, y, z.
One of the fundamental constants of nature, the fine-structure constant, determines so much about our Universe. Here's why it matters.
A classical marble statue's head embodies Roman resilience, adorned with an orange construction helmet against a teal background.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.