Philosophy Archives

Absolute Time: Newton’s Oversight

What is absolute time? How does the location of the observer affect the speed of time? Originally coined by Isaac Newton, the concept of absolute time refers to the idea that time flows without regard for anything external, progressing at a consistent speed throughout the universe. As it turned out, Newton was wrong. Albert Einstein established that time is relative, that is, it moves at different speeds for different observers. Keep reading to understand why time is not absolute, but relative.

Werner Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle

What is the uncertainty principle? Why is it impossible to measure both the position and the velocity of a subatomic particle simultaneously? The uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to determine both particle velocity and position with certainty. In order to gauge the position and speed of a subatomic particle, we’d need to expose it to light, but doing that would alter both properties. Keep reading to understand the uncertainty principle and its implications for the study of our universe.

Accepting Death Will Enhance Your Life

How can accepting death help you focus on what matters in life? What are some things people do to compensate for the fear of death? When you accept the reality of death, you will realize that time spent feeling fear, shame, and embarrassment is time wasted. Instead, you should make decisions and choose your values with the reality of death in mind. Keep reading to learn how accepting death will enhance your life.

Seneca: Stoicism and Early Antifragility Theories

What were Seneca’s stoicism teachings? What do Seneca and Stoicism have to do with antifragility? Long before Nassim Nicholas Taleb wrote Antifragility, thinkers and philosophers were searching for the idea of antifragility. One of the philosophers was Seneca, whose views on stoicism promoted indifference. Read more about Seneca, stoicism, and how they were an early form of antifragility.

Antifragile: Book Overview, Key Concepts & More

What is the book Antifragile about? What is antifragility, and how does the Antifragile book explain this concept and teach us how to actually be antifragile? Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book Antifragile talks about a major misconception we have about how to be strong. Instead of focusing on resilience, we should build antifragility—a defense against things going wrong, and the ability to withstand it when they do. Read more about Antifragile, book concepts, and how to build antifragility below.

Path Dependence Theory: The Sequence Matters

What is path dependence theory? How can understanding path dependence help us create antifragile systems? Path dependence theory is the idea that in order for an event to happen, a specific sequence of events must be followed and performed correctly. The outcome depends on the entire sequence. Read more about path dependence theory and antifragility.

What Is Vipassana Meditation? Pure Observation

What is vipassana meditation? What is the ultimate goal that vipassana practitioners try to achieve? Vipassana is perhaps one of the most practiced forms of meditation in the mainstream yoga culture. But what is vipassana meditation exactly? In simple terms, vipassana meditation is the type of meditation where you practice observing your stream of consciousness without entertaining what comes up. In this article, you will learn what vipassana meditation is, the purpose of vipassana practice, and its ultimate objective.

Do Checks and Balances in U.S. Government Work?

What are checks and balances in the U.S. government? Are they effective? Checks and balances in the U.S. government is a system intended to prevent authoritarianism by distributing power equally. Each branch has its own norms and means of operating. Read more about checks and balances in the U.S. government and what they do.

Political Norms in America: Effective Partisanship

What are political norms? How do norms help keep democracy safe? In America, political norms are a critical part of the nation’s history. Politics in the U.S. have always been characterized by fierce party rivalries and difficult elections. But even so, norms held the country together throughout its early history. Read more about U.S. political norms and what they mean.

How to Live a Balanced Life With Taoism

Why is there no such thing as “good” and “evil” in Taoism? How can one achieve balance through objectivity? The Taoist belief is that one must live a balanced life and can achieve this by living objectively. This means that a Taoist master must embrace all people without labeling or defining them. Continue on to learn more about objectivity and balance in Taoism.