Thought as therapy 2008-05-16T08:59:17+02:00 DotClear daily 1 2008-05-16T08:59:17+02:00 2008-05-16T08:59:17+02:00 2008-05-16T08:59:17+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/16/940-atheism-and-theism-have-much-in-common Mark Journalism

The cartoon accompanies a piece that I have in the Church Times today, based upon the blog here....

The cartoon accompanies a piece that I have in the Church Times today, based upon the blog here.... 2008-05-15T19:53:01+02:00 2008-05-15T19:53:01+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/15/939-art-great-and-small Mark In the news

There was something pleasing about news of a great picture, 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping', by a great artist, Lucian Freud, being sold for a record sum, breaking the day after the ephemeral hype about the Turner Prize shortlist....

There was something pleasing about news of a great picture, 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping', by a great artist, Lucian Freud, being sold for a record sum, breaking the day after the ephemeral hype about the Turner Prize shortlist.... 2008-05-14T10:08:04+02:00 2008-05-14T10:08:04+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/14/938-do-you-believe-in-ufos Mark In the news

The British National Archives has released a dossier on UFO sightings, prompting a round of speculation on whether or not we are alone. It's a fascinating discussion, not so much because of what it reveals about ET, but because, as Jung realised, of what it reveals about modern individuals: UFOs...

The British National Archives has released a dossier on UFO sightings, prompting a round of speculation on whether or not we are alone. It's a fascinating discussion, not so much because of what it reveals about ET, but because, as Jung realised, of what it reveals about modern individuals: UFOs... 2008-05-13T09:59:33+02:00 2008-05-13T09:59:33+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/13/937-top-tips-for-wellbeing Mark Happiness

A tricky moment for me, yesterday. In my book, Wellbeing, I'm pretty sniffy about the texts on happiness that offer tips on how to boost your positive emotion - from saying thank you, through working less, to building strengths. My problem is that whilst based on a certain kind of evidence they...

A tricky moment for me, yesterday. In my book, Wellbeing, I'm pretty sniffy about the texts on happiness that offer tips on how to boost your positive emotion - from saying thank you, through working less, to building strengths. My problem is that whilst based on a certain kind of evidence they... 2008-05-12T10:20:02+02:00 2008-05-12T10:20:02+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/12/936-reasons-for-giving Mark Moral matters

Peter Singer is so impressive as a philosopher because he puts his money where his mouth is - literally, in the case of his giving to charity: he confesses here that he gives away a full one third of his income because his utilitarian philosophy says he should. The power of utilitarianism is that...

Peter Singer is so impressive as a philosopher because he puts his money where his mouth is - literally, in the case of his giving to charity: he confesses here that he gives away a full one third of his income because his utilitarian philosophy says he should. The power of utilitarianism is that... 2008-05-11T11:02:58+02:00 2008-05-11T11:02:58+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/11/935-a-philosophical-approach-to-illness Mark Wisdom

Havi Carel loves life but, now 37, she knows that she may not live to be 45. She has a serious illness. It has sharpened her focus on her mortality, though in truth it is a focus which, if they had it, might result in anyone living more fully. Philosophy has helped her develop a way of...

Havi Carel loves life but, now 37, she knows that she may not live to be 45. She has a serious illness. It has sharpened her focus on her mortality, though in truth it is a focus which, if they had it, might result in anyone living more fully. Philosophy has helped her develop a way of... 2008-05-10T11:31:28+02:00 2008-05-10T11:31:28+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/10/934-the-brave-robin-an-altruistic-tale Mark Moral matters

There is a robin raising her young just outside my window. I know because every time we let the cats out, she becomes very agitated, hopping from perch to perch, chattering loudly, presumably as she tries to distract the cats away from the nest. Evolutionary psychology would suggest that this...

There is a robin raising her young just outside my window. I know because every time we let the cats out, she becomes very agitated, hopping from perch to perch, chattering loudly, presumably as she tries to distract the cats away from the nest. Evolutionary psychology would suggest that this... 2008-05-09T10:36:26+02:00 2008-05-09T10:36:26+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/09/933-fromm-on-standing-in-love Mark Happiness

So we had, here, something of Fromm on falling in love. What of the contrast he makes between that essentially romantic conception of love and his preferred form of love, standing in love? Standing in love differs because unlike falling in love, which is premised on the fact that the lovers are...

So we had, here, something of Fromm on falling in love. What of the contrast he makes between that essentially romantic conception of love and his preferred form of love, standing in love? Standing in love differs because unlike falling in love, which is premised on the fact that the lovers are... 2008-05-07T13:03:42+02:00 2008-05-07T13:03:42+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/07/932-standing-in-love Mark Happiness

Fromm's classic, The Art of Loving, is full of arresting ideas, if a little dated now, what with his complementary idea of gender and poor understanding of homosexuality. I particularly like the distinction he draws between falling in love and standing in love. Falling in love is perhaps the...

Fromm's classic, The Art of Loving, is full of arresting ideas, if a little dated now, what with his complementary idea of gender and poor understanding of homosexuality. I particularly like the distinction he draws between falling in love and standing in love. Falling in love is perhaps the... 2008-05-06T09:23:32+02:00 2008-05-06T09:23:32+02:00 http://www.markvernon.com/friendshiponline/dotclear/index.php?2008/05/06/931-einstein-god-hume-and-spinoza Mark Science

Published in paperback today, though I bought a copy over the weekend, Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson is an excellent biography of the man. He presents a joyous blend of Einstein's life with lovers and friends, employers and events, physics and philosophy. It would serve as a...

Published in paperback today, though I bought a copy over the weekend, Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson is an excellent biography of the man. He presents a joyous blend of Einstein's life with lovers and friends, employers and events, physics and philosophy. It would serve as a...