Pura Vida

Environment

Send in the Clowns (and the Artists, Singers, Poets, Etc.)

David P. Barash Ph.D. on September 13, 2021

When it comes to arousing the public to the threats we all face, science and appeal to rationality alone just isn't enough. We need those who speak to human passions.

When it comes to arousing the public to the threats we all face, science and appeal to rationality alone just isn't enough. We need those who speak to human passions.

Law and Crime

Threats: A Non-Threatening Introduction

David P. Barash Ph.D. on August 2, 2021

Threats, threats, everywhere and hardly a chance to think! Which makes it all the more important that we do so.

Threats, threats, everywhere and hardly a chance to think! Which makes it all the more important that we do so.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Thomas Mann's Writings Mirror Our Not-So-Magic COVID Reality

David P. Barash Ph.D. on April 8, 2021

If you're interested in entering a COVID-like pandemic-mirroring world, you might want to consider climbing "The Magic Mountain."

If you're interested in entering a COVID-like pandemic-mirroring world, you might want to consider climbing "The Magic Mountain."

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Pied Piper of the Pandemic

David P. Barash Ph.D. on November 19, 2020

The Pied Piper led his victims out of Hamelin-town, to their deaths. COVID-19 denial is having a similar effect, and who do you suppose is the Pied Piper?

The Pied Piper led his victims out of Hamelin-town, to their deaths. COVID-19 denial is having a similar effect, and who do you suppose is the Pied Piper?

Sex

The Queen's Gambit Made Real

David P. Barash Ph.D. on November 17, 2020

'The Queen's Gambit' presents viewers with a fictional story of a young woman chess genius. A real-life family story is even more stunning.

'The Queen's Gambit' presents viewers with a fictional story of a young woman chess genius. A real-life family story is even more stunning.

President Donald Trump

Is It Wrong To Wish Trump Ill?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on October 3, 2020

Public pronouncements have been nearly universal in wishing Trump a full and prompt recovery. What about dissenting?

Public pronouncements have been nearly universal in wishing Trump a full and prompt recovery. What about dissenting?

Meditation

She's Blind? Impossible!

David P. Barash Ph.D. on May 6, 2020

We named her Rima, an homage to the magical forest being from "Green Mansions." We had no idea how magical she really is.

We named her Rima, an homage to the magical forest being from "Green Mansions." We had no idea how magical she really is.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Novel Coronavirus Has Its Own Evolutionary Strategy

David P. Barash Ph.D. on April 30, 2020

We normally think of diseases as things that happen to us. In the case of COVID-19, it helps to consider what the virus is "trying" to do, and how it is doing it.

We normally think of diseases as things that happen to us. In the case of COVID-19, it helps to consider what the virus is "trying" to do, and how it is doing it.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

In a Dark Time, the Eye Begins to See

David P. Barash Ph.D. on March 17, 2020

Is there anything that we will perceive more clearly as a result of the coronavirus crisis?

Is there anything that we will perceive more clearly as a result of the coronavirus crisis?

Family Dynamics

The Evolutionary Basis of Parent-Child Trouble

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 26, 2020

Part 2: Are you upset about trouble with your kids? Join the parade: Animal parents have similar problems, and evolutionary biology helps explain why.

Part 2: Are you upset about trouble with your kids? Join the parade: Animal parents have similar problems, and evolutionary biology helps explain why.

Human logic is not necessarily as straightforwardly logical as pure logic would suggest.

Play

Only Part of Us Is Sane

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 3, 2020

Human beings are notable for their ability to use reason, but also for some surprising departures therefrom.

Human beings are notable for their ability to use reason, but also for some surprising departures therefrom.

Environment

Tolstoy's Insight from a Stinging Bee

David P. Barash Ph.D. on December 20, 2019

In a little-noticed but profound riff in "War and Peace," Tolstoy pointed out that "ultimate purpose" isn't easy to grasp—although his argument is.

In a little-noticed but profound riff in "War and Peace," Tolstoy pointed out that "ultimate purpose" isn't easy to grasp—although his argument is.

Intelligence

Alex and Other Brilliant Beasts

David P. Barash Ph.D. on December 15, 2019

The intelligence of animals, once taken for granted, is finally being recognized—and not just in mammals.

The intelligence of animals, once taken for granted, is finally being recognized—and not just in mammals.

Empathy

Invisible Disabilities and Service Animals

Judith Eve Lipton M.D. on December 5, 2019

There is a big hullabaloo about service animals. Who has a service animal? Who is entitled to a service animal? What is the social impact of service animals. I say, bring them on!

There is a big hullabaloo about service animals. Who has a service animal? Who is entitled to a service animal? What is the social impact of service animals. I say, bring them on!

Environment

Let'em Litter? What Is the Right Role for Individuals?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on December 2, 2019

Each if us is responsible for what we do, and we are barraged with the need to reduce our carbon footprints, and the like. But is there a sneaky downside to this pressure?

Each if us is responsible for what we do, and we are barraged with the need to reduce our carbon footprints, and the like. But is there a sneaky downside to this pressure?

Cognition

Intelligent Mr. Toad

David P. Barash Ph.D. on November 6, 2019

People are smart, but so are many animals. Time for us Homo sapiens to "get over it."

People are smart, but so are many animals. Time for us Homo sapiens to "get over it."

Intelligence

Are We Uniquely Sapient?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on October 30, 2019

Among the persistent arguments for enthroning human uniqueness, intellect has been especially popular. But uniqueness is in the eye of the beholder.

Among the persistent arguments for enthroning human uniqueness, intellect has been especially popular. But uniqueness is in the eye of the beholder.

President Donald Trump

Did an Early Equivalent of Impeachment Help Make Us Human?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on September 27, 2019

A recent hypothesis suggests that within-group murder may, paradoxically, have made our species less violent.

A recent hypothesis suggests that within-group murder may, paradoxically, have made our species less violent.

Freudian Psychology

Id, Shmid; Ego, Shmego

David P. Barash Ph.D. on August 24, 2019

Psychoanalysis provides a potential window into our deeper selves, and also, perhaps, into the current president.

Psychoanalysis provides a potential window into our deeper selves, and also, perhaps, into the current president.