Hide and Seek

Understanding self-deception, self-sabotage, and more

Mania

Ego Defenses: The Manic Defense

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 22, 2024

The most modern, and American, form of self-deception.

The most modern, and American, form of self-deception.

Freudian Psychology

The Life of Carl Jung

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 29, 2023

How Jung’s life holds all the keys to his theory.

How Jung’s life holds all the keys to his theory.

Philosophy

Jean-Paul Sartre's Bad Faith: The Danger of Denying Freedom

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 17, 2023

Jean-Paul Sartre defined "bad faith."

Jean-Paul Sartre defined "bad faith."

Depression

Could Depression Possibly Serve a Purpose?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 15, 2023

... and why our approach to depression may be misguided.

... and why our approach to depression may be misguided.

Philosophy

The Psychology and Philosophy of Tyranny

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 10, 2023

Why the tyrant is the unhappiest of people.

Why the tyrant is the unhappiest of people.

Ethics and Morality

Socrates at War: Philosopher and Soldier

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on July 5, 2023

Not content with discussing courage, Socrates also demonstrated it in battle.

Not content with discussing courage, Socrates also demonstrated it in battle.

Philosophy

Meet the Ultimate Hedonist

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on July 1, 2023

Aristippus was far more radical than the more famous Epicurus.

Aristippus was far more radical than the more famous Epicurus.

Philosophy

Why Marcus Aurelius Really Wrote the Meditations

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 26, 2023

The Stoic ruler never intended his work for publication. So why did he write it?

The Stoic ruler never intended his work for publication. So why did he write it?

Philosophy

The Arithmetics of Pleasure

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 22, 2023

The philosophy of Epicurus.

The philosophy of Epicurus.

Philosophy

Diogenes the Cynic: A Socrates Gone Mad?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 20, 2023

The life and philosophy, and radical freedom, of Diogenes the Cynic.

The life and philosophy, and radical freedom, of Diogenes the Cynic.

Depression

Psychological Treatments for Depression

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 7, 2023

Which type of talking treatment is right for someone with depression? Here are some factors to consider.

Which type of talking treatment is right for someone with depression? Here are some factors to consider.

Depression

Has the Concept of Depression Been Overextended?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 2, 2023

Pushing us towards doctors and drugs can prevent us from identifying and addressing the important real-life problems or psychological issues at the root of our distress.

Pushing us towards doctors and drugs can prevent us from identifying and addressing the important real-life problems or psychological issues at the root of our distress.

Depression

12 Quick Self-Help Steps for Depression

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 29, 2023

12 simple ways to lift your mood.

12 simple ways to lift your mood.

Philosophy

Why Wisdom Is Better Than Beauty

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 26, 2023

What we can learn from the love story between Socrates and Alcibiades.

What we can learn from the love story between Socrates and Alcibiades.

King Pentheus torn apart by Maenads in a Bacchic frenzy. Roman wall painting from the House of the Vettii, Pompeii. The Dionysian rite of sparagmos involved dismembering a living animal or even a human being. The flesh was then eaten raw, while still warm and dripping with blood. Pentheus, like Pythagoras and Empedocles, had refused to embrace Dionysus.

Diet

How Vegetarianism Was Born Out of Philosophy and Mysticism

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 19, 2023

Pythagoras was a pacifist and vegetarian long before the hippies came around.

Pythagoras was a pacifist and vegetarian long before the hippies came around.

Happiness

Aristotle on Leisure

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 9, 2023

And the critical difference between relaxation and leisure.

And the critical difference between relaxation and leisure.

Relationships

How Ugly Was Socrates?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on April 25, 2023

Why his repulsiveness may have been exaggerated.

Why his repulsiveness may have been exaggerated.

Happiness

How to Be Good and Happy, According to Aristotle

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on April 18, 2023

Exploring Aristotle's "golden mean."

Exploring Aristotle's "golden mean."

Relationships

How Romantic Love Originated in Metaphysics and Cosmology

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on April 14, 2023

The early beginnings of the concept of romantic love.

The early beginnings of the concept of romantic love.

Relationships

The True Meaning of Platonic Love

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on March 28, 2023

Love, said Plato, is the highest form of madness.

Love, said Plato, is the highest form of madness.