Verified by Psychology Today

The Philosopher Is In

Prescriptions for sanity in an insane world

Narcissism
Narcissism and Materialism: A Match Made in Hell

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on January 30, 2024

Ever wonder about the connection between narcissism and materialism? People who feel empty on the inside are prone to try and fill that void with lots of stuff. But does it work?

Ever wonder about the connection between narcissism and materialism? People who feel empty on the inside are prone to try and fill that void with lots of stuff. But does it work?

Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom
Narcissism
What If You're Too Smart for the Narcissist?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on October 29, 2023

Narcissists are clever at manipulating those around them with criticism, guilt trips, and a childish emotional need for validation. But what if you're smarter than the narcissist?

Narcissists are clever at manipulating those around them with criticism, guilt trips, and a childish emotional need for validation. But what if you're smarter than the narcissist?

Narcissism
Why Narcissists Are the Black Holes of Humanity

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on October 31, 2022

Narcissists are the black holes of humanity, sucking others into their darkness. But we can learn to get better at resisting their pull and staying strong in our own bright love-light.

Narcissists are the black holes of humanity, sucking others into their darkness. But we can learn to get better at resisting their pull and staying strong in our own bright love-light.

Anxiety
The Anxiety Boom

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on October 10, 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic heightened everyone's stress levels, not just Gen Z's, and reminded us that anxiety is a natural emotion woven into the fabric of human nature.

The Covid-19 pandemic heightened everyone's stress levels, not just Gen Z's, and reminded us that anxiety is a natural emotion woven into the fabric of human nature.

Environment
Philosophical Insights on the Climate Change Catastrophe

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on September 12, 2022

The sharpest minds in science urge us to change our collective behavior now to manage climate change. Peart's principle of integrity might help us reach the staunch holdouts.

The sharpest minds in science urge us to change our collective behavior now to manage climate change. Peart's principle of integrity might help us reach the staunch holdouts.

Narcissism
Are Narcissists Philosophical Zombies?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on January 1, 2022

Philosophical zombies defy evolutionary theory and common sense but might help conceptualize anomalies in human psychology marked by a fundamental lack of inner worlds.

Philosophical zombies defy evolutionary theory and common sense but might help conceptualize anomalies in human psychology marked by a fundamental lack of inner worlds.

Narcissism
So, You Think You've Identified the Narcissist in Your Life

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on August 27, 2021

If you've identified the toxic person in your life as a possible narcissist, what do you do now? Talking to friends and extended family members can be therapeutic for moving on.

If you've identified the toxic person in your life as a possible narcissist, what do you do now? Talking to friends and extended family members can be therapeutic for moving on.

Narcissism
How to Detect the Narcissists in Your Life

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on August 21, 2021

Is there someone in life who is difficult, toxic, mean, and tries to make it all your fault? This person could be a narcissist. Here are some clues to help figure it out.

Is there someone in life who is difficult, toxic, mean, and tries to make it all your fault? This person could be a narcissist. Here are some clues to help figure it out.

Narcissism
Narcissism and the Gift of Resilience

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on August 3, 2021

Narcissists are often toxic, deeply insecure people who can be a drag on human energy. But is there a silver lining to being entangled with one? A discussion on resilience.

Narcissists are often toxic, deeply insecure people who can be a drag on human energy. But is there a silver lining to being entangled with one? A discussion on resilience.

Resilience
What Is Resilience?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on July 12, 2021

Many people — from parents, to teachers, to corporate thought leaders — praise the elusive trait of resilience. But what is it? And how can we foster more of it?

Many people — from parents, to teachers, to corporate thought leaders — praise the elusive trait of resilience. But what is it? And how can we foster more of it?

President Donald Trump
Is Donald Trump Sabotaging Himself?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on October 27, 2020

Donald Trump often claims he's the best at everything: women, business, politics, and beating COVID-19. But it turns out he may be the best at one thing only: self-sabotage.

Donald Trump often claims he's the best at everything: women, business, politics, and beating COVID-19. But it turns out he may be the best at one thing only: self-sabotage.

Bias
We All Know Racism When We See It. Don't We?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on July 12, 2020

A philosopher's take on how questioning and re-questioning our assumptions is useful in identifying real instances of racism and sexism.

A philosopher's take on how questioning and re-questioning our assumptions is useful in identifying real instances of racism and sexism.

Bias
A White Woman's Take on Black Lives Matter

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on July 4, 2020

What do white people think about Black Lives Matter? Probably lots of stuff. But here's one white woman's perspective on her progress so far and why we have so much further to go.

What do white people think about Black Lives Matter? Probably lots of stuff. But here's one white woman's perspective on her progress so far and why we have so much further to go.