The Charisma of No-Charisma: Han Fei, Law, and the Art of Politics
For the philosopher Han Fei, the ultimate form of charisma was to have no charisma. His ideas were instrumental in cementing the power of Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor.
Blogs
Renegade Philosophers, and the Art of Changing Your Mind
Two philosophers from the ancient world who changed their minds: Timocrates the (former) Epicurean, and Dionysius the (former) Stoic.
Zou Yan, Yin and Yang, and the Nature of Change
The Chinese philosopher Zou Yan is credited with developing theories of Yin and Yang.
Sounds Plausible? The Philosophy of Carneades
The philosopher Carneades advocated giving up on ideas of truth and the good life, arguing that we should focus instead on what is plausible.
Justifying Ritual with Jaimini
The Indian philosopher Jaimini, founder of the Mīmāṃsā tradition, on why religious ritual is its own justification.
Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu and the Possibility of Hope
Desmond Tutu, and the idea of ubuntu: we are, because we belong.
Andy West on Philosophy, Prison, Freedom and Shame
A Looking for Wisdom exclusive interview with philosopher Andy West, about prison, shame, freedom and philosophy.
Getting Smart About Pleasure: The Philosophy of Epicurus
The trouble with pleasure, according to the philosopher Epicurus, is that we're not very good at it.
The Tastiness of the Gift
An alternative theory of gift-giving, drawing on philosophy from the Tanimbar islands of Indonesia, and from the philosophical traditions of India.
The Philosophy of Giving
Christmas is on the way, and you are facing your biggest philosophical challenge of the year: what gift do you get for a man like Uncle Pedro?
Chrysippus on How to Manage Our Emotions
The philosopher Chrysippus believed that emotions are not things that happen to us, but things that we do. This means that we can bring emotion under the control of reason.
Ritual Shapes the World
According to both philosophers of Ancient China and those of the Ancient Maya world, ritual has a powerful role to play in shaping ourselves - and the world.