Latest posts from @philosophyminis on Instagram
I explain philosophical ideas.
I write for @bigthinkers.
What they post about
The account focuses on explaining various philosophical concepts and ideas, often relating them to contemporary life situations. It discusses themes such as happiness during midlife crises, the impact of small decisions, and historical philosophical concepts like the devil's advocate. Additionally, it explores the cyclical nature of empires and their eventual decline. The content aims to provoke thought and reflection on personal and societal issues through a philosophical lens.
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Mary's Colorful Discovery: A Thought Experiment
In a compelling thought experiment by Frank Jackson, a woman named Mary, who has lived her entire life in a black and white room, becomes the world's leading expert on color without ever seeing it. Upon escaping, she sees a red rose for the first time, raising the question: Does she learn something new? Jackson argues that there are two types of knowledge: theoretical and experiential.
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Mencius' Timeless Wisdom for Modern Parenting
Fourth-century philosopher Mencius offers enduring advice for parents: model the behaviors you wish to instill and be the stable core of the family. His teachings on nurturing and strength resonate deeply with today's parenting challenges.
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Darwin's Dilemma: The Problem of Natural Evil
Charles Darwin grappled with the existence of evil in the natural world, questioning the role of a benevolent deity. He cited the example of parasitic wasps, which lay eggs inside caterpillars, leading to a slow, cruel consumption of the host. This natural cruelty challenged the notion of an all-loving, all-powerful God, raising the age-old philosophical question of why evil exists if such a deity governs the universe.
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Rethinking Regret: A Philosophical Perspective
Philosopher Derek Parfit argues against the common warning of future regret for big decisions. He suggests that current decisions are based on present circumstances and future regret is irrelevant as the future self is a different person with different values.
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Rethinking the Golden Rule: Kant's Perspective
The Golden Rule, a widely recognized ethical principle, suggests treating others as we wish to be treated. However, philosopher Immanuel Kant challenges this notion, arguing for a more empathetic approach where we consider how others wish to be treated. Kant emphasizes the importance of understanding individual desires rather than projecting our own preferences onto others.
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Cioran's Challenge to the Good vs Evil Myth
Philosopher Emil Cioran disputes the popular belief that good will always triumph over evil. He argues that the dichotomy of good and evil is misleading, as survival and progress often require embracing our darker instincts. Cioran suggests that life inherently involves consumption and taking from others, challenging the notion of a cosmic battle between light and dark.
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Amathia: The Ignorance That Threatens Civilization
Hunter Ash highlights a concept known as 'amathia,' an ancient Greek term for a willful ignorance that hinders true understanding. Unlike ordinary ignorance, amathia involves a deliberate refusal to learn or accept new information. This mindset, according to the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, poses a significant threat to societal progress and personal growth.
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Finding Purpose: Lessons from Nietzsche and Greek Philosophy
Exploring the philosophical idea that having a purpose can help endure life's challenges, this post delves into Nietzsche's existentialism and contrasts it with ancient Greek philosophies. It highlights the importance of creating one's own 'why' to navigate life's complexities.
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Debunking Misunderstood Philosophies: A Fresh Perspective
In collaboration with Headway, this post addresses common misconceptions about Stoicism and evolution, emphasizing the true essence of these philosophies. It encourages readers to explore philosophical ideas with a clearer understanding.
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The Allure of the Forbidden: Reactance Theory Explained
Analyzing the psychological concept of reactance, this post explores why people are drawn to forbidden things, using examples from literature and real-world experiments. It highlights the paradox of attraction to what is prohibited.
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The Power of Amae: Rethinking Dependence
This post explores the Japanese concept of 'amae,' which emphasizes the positive aspects of dependence and trust in relationships. It contrasts Western ideals of self-reliance with the meaningful connections fostered by interdependence.
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The Tinkerbell Effect: Belief and Reality
Exploring the Tinkerbell effect, this post discusses how collective belief can shape reality, from the value of money to political authority. It examines how societal constructs rely on shared belief to maintain their existence.
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Embrace Your Inner Hero: The Batman Effect
The Batman effect suggests adopting an alter ego can enhance performance. This post outlines the benefits of self-talk and creating a detailed alter ego to improve task execution, emphasizing the importance of distance, specificity, and choice.
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The New Class Divide: Understanding the Precariat
Economist Guy Standing's theory of a new class system highlights the precariat, a group facing job insecurity and lack of identity. This post examines the implications of this division and its impact on society.
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Life's Choices and Inevitable Regrets
Explore the idea that every life choice leads to a new version of ourselves, often accompanied by regret. Inspired by Matt Haig's 'The Midnight Train', this reflection delves into the unavoidable losses and the importance of cherishing life as it is.
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The True Essence of Leisure
Discover Joseph Pieper's perspective on leisure as more than just a break from work. True leisure involves engaging with life's deeper aspects, such as meaning and beauty, and is essential for genuine human connection.
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Understanding Social Anxiety
Krista Thomason's insights into social anxiety reveal the conflict between our curated self-conception and our true identity. This exploration highlights the commonality of overthinking social interactions and the authenticity of our unfiltered selves.
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The Pitfalls of Pseudo-Profoundness
Examine the phenomenon of pseudo-profound BS, where deep-sounding words mask a lack of genuine meaning. Inspired by Gordon Pennycook's research, this post warns against the allure of seemingly profound statements that lack clarity.
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discovering zugunruhe: a bird's restless journey
This post delves into the concept of 'Zugunruhe', a term used to describe the migratory restlessness observed in birds. It connects this phenomenon to broader philosophical themes and includes references to works by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane.
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the doorman fallacy: beyond job descriptions
This narrative recounts the story of a London hotel doorman, illustrating the 'doorman fallacy'—the mistake of reducing roles to their most visible functions and ignoring their broader impact. It critiques modern business practices that overlook the intangible contributions of employees.
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