What if There’s No Free Will? 3 Implications if It’s True

People walking in a bustling city scene illustrate life without free will

What would life be like there’s no free will? How would society function if we accepted that our actions are predetermined? In his book Determined, Robert Sapolsky explores the concept of life without free will and its implications for society. He argues that embracing determinism could lead to a fairer and kinder world, despite the challenges it presents to our traditional notions of praise, reward, blame, and personal responsibility. Read on to learn Sapolsky’s perspective on human behavior.

Plato’s Analogy of the Divided Line: Why Knowledge Is King

A diagram of Plato’s analogy of the divided line with Thought and Reality on opposing sides

What’s the nature of knowledge and reality? What makes some ideas more true or valuable than others? Plato’s analogy of the divided line explores these questions in his seminal work The Republic. This thought-provoking concept categorizes different levels of understanding, from illusions to ultimate truth. It offers insights into how we perceive the world and what constitutes genuine knowledge. Keep reading for an exploration of Plato’s philosophy, and discover how it still influences our thinking today.

Plato: Society Deteriorates in 4 Steps (The Republic)

A view from above of a city square in ancient Greece illustrates Plato's society model

How do societies evolve over time? What did ancient philosophers think about the progression of political systems? Plato’s vision of societal change is explored in his seminal work The Republic. The Greek thinker outlines a descent from an ideal city-state through four increasingly flawed forms of government. His theory offers insights into the nature of power, justice, and human behavior. Keep reading to understand Plato’s society model, and discover how his ideas still resonate in modern political discourse.

The Self in Western Thought: A Spiritual Neuroscientist Explains

the reflection of a young man in a mirror illustrates contemplation of the self in Western thought

Is there more to you than your thoughts and actions? What if the self you’ve always known isn’t as real as you think? In No Self, No Problem, Chris Niebauer challenges the understanding of the self in Western thought. He explores how our beliefs about identity, consciousness, and free will might be based on illusions. This book offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be human. Keep reading to discover why your sense of self might be more fluid than you ever imagined.

Anatta in Buddhism: The View of the Self in Eastern Thought

a man looking into a mirror with an undefined reflection illustrates the concept of anatta in Buddhism

Have you ever questioned the nature of your self? What if your sense of identity was just an illusion? In his book No Self, No Problem, Chris Niebauer explores Eastern perspectives on the self. He discusses concepts such as anatta in Buddhism, which challenges our Western notions of identity. Niebauer offers insights into how our understanding of self shapes our experiences. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and explore a different way of perceiving yourself.

The Self in Western and Eastern Thought (Chris Niebauer)

drawing of two heads—one with gears and one blending into the surroundings—illustrate the self in western and eastern thought

Is your sense of self real, or is it just an illusion? How does your cultural background shape your perception of who you are? In his book No Self, No Problem, Chris Niebauer explores the concept of the self in Western and Eastern thought. He compares the contrasting views of the self and their implications for our understanding of consciousness and identity. Keep reading to discover how different cultures approach the idea of self and what modern science has to say about it.

Why a Neuroscientist Recommends the Middle Way of Buddhism

a person standing on a path that splits into three paths ahead illustrates the middle way of Buddhism

What’s the true nature of your self? What if science could confirm ancient Buddhist wisdom about the illusion of identity? In his book No Self, No Problem, Chris Niebauer explores how neuroscience aligns with Buddhist teachings on the non-existence of the self. He presents three potential paths for navigating this revelation, focusing on the middle way of Buddhism as a balanced approach to life. Read on to discover how embracing this middle way could transform your perspective and bring more peace to your daily experiences.

The Stoic Challenge by William B. Irvine: Book Overview

A woman with long brown hair reading a book in a library.

What’s The Stoic Challenge by William B. Irvine about? How did the Stoics face adversity? Every one of us experiences hardship, often daily. In The Stoic Challenge, William B. Irvine argues that minimizing suffering isn’t just possible—it’s something that people have been doing since the Stoics pioneered a strategy to approach adversity as opportunity. Read below for a brief overview of The Stoic Challenge.