Philosophy

Philosophy

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

Collage of images featuring a classical sculpture, a close-up of a human ear, and a woman in a cafe expressing surprise with children nearby.
Irene is on a bus with her young kids when two men come on, cussing like sailors. Should Irene step in and say something?
Woman wearing pixelated sunglasses sits at a desk, with graphic overlays of a line graph demonstrating workplace equality, classical figures in discussion, and a clock indicating 2 o'clock.
Rich is brilliant at his job. He completes work in half the time of his coworkers. Should he have to sit at his desk just as long?
Abstract illustration of orange arrows soaring upwards from converging lines, symbolizing growth, progress, or success.
It’s not enough just to stay current and competitive with AI — you’ll also need to build a long-term strategy.
A toothbrush with blue and white bristles, topped with a large dollop of minty toothpaste.
Claims circulating on the Internet — some from dentists' websites — suggest toothpaste isn't necessary for dental health. Is that true?
A collage depicting a radio telescope on the left and an abstract celestial body on the right, separated by a vertical band of black and white dashes.
Since 1962, humanity has been sending messages into space with the intent to make contact with intelligent extraterrestrials. Are those efforts worth the risks?
Collage of a man's face superimposed on a graphic background with geometric patterns and abstract white shapes overlaying his image, symbolizing better communication.
When is a rabbit not a rabbit? When it's a thought experiment designed to reveal the tricky tango of language and concepts.
travel straight line
Is the Universe finite or infinite? Does it go on forever or loop back on itself? Here's what would happen if you traveled forever.
A stylized silhouette of a person under an umbrella amidst falling snow, depicted in black against a speckled beige background, embodying elements of Japanese philosophy.
Japanese thought can’t be easily characterized by just a few books — but this essential guide is a great place to start.
heavy neutral atom
No matter how good our measurement devices get, certain quantum properties always possess an inherent uncertainty. Can we figure out why?
Painting of Prometheus holding a flaming torch aloft.
"Hardcore History" host Dan Carlin recently spoke with Big Think about the history of humanity's drive to create — and whether or not we can control it.
Elderly man with a full white beard and glasses, wearing a brown jacket, against a white background.
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“Forget about essences.” Philosopher Daniel Dennett on how modern-day philosophers should be more collaborative with scientists if they want to make revolutionary developments in their fields.
There are so many problems, all across planet Earth, that harm and threaten humanity. Why invest in researching the Universe?
Vintage portrait of a man, embodying the philosophy of AI, superimposed on an abstract cosmic background.
Step back from the AI maelstrom and explore Lem’s "Summa Technologiae" for a detached look at technology’s role in human evolution.
This map samples some of the digits that make up the DDC system, invented by the brilliant but flawed Melvil Dewey.
An office chair, symbolizing leadership through volatility, placed on a textured blue background.
The old certainties of “business as usual” have been crushed by disruption — here's a strategy for resilience.
cosmic epochs lookback hubble 13.8 billion
The Universe is 13.8 billion years old, going back to the hot Big Bang. But was that truly the beginning, and is that truly its age?
Abstract representation of a cosmic event with a burst of particles emanating from a central point, blending astrophysical imagery with geometric designs.
The "first cause" problem may forever remain unsolved, as it doesn’t fit with the way we do science.
A senior man, Daniel Kahneman, with glasses, wearing a dark suit and a blue shirt, standing against a gray background.
Kahneman was a world-changing psychologist — even with his lesser known ideas on life satisfaction.
Four earth-like planets from a multiverse, in varying colors, aligned in space against a starry background.
Some physicists are besot with the multiverse, but if we can't detect these other universes, how seriously should we take them?