Hide and Seek

Understanding self-deception, self-sabotage, and more

Sexual Orientation

The History of Gay Liberation

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 16, 2021

The documentary Cured chronicles the years-long campaign which led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders.

The documentary Cured chronicles the years-long campaign which led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders.

Fear

How to Cope With Noise

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 3, 2021

Seneca’s timeless advice for dealing with noise.

Seneca’s timeless advice for dealing with noise.

Creativity

Hate Noise? You Might Be a Genius

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 28, 2021

Is sensitivity to noise associated with creative thinking?

Is sensitivity to noise associated with creative thinking?

Psychiatry

Is Psychiatry the New "Opium of the People"?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 13, 2021

A review of "Sedated," the latest book by medical anthropologist James Davis.

A review of "Sedated," the latest book by medical anthropologist James Davis.

Creativity

"Make Brilliant Work" Teaches Us How to Put Creativity Into Practice

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on July 5, 2021

Rod Judkins' new book, "Make Brilliant Work," asserts that creativity is the road to freedom — and then shows us the way.

Rod Judkins' new book, "Make Brilliant Work," asserts that creativity is the road to freedom — and then shows us the way.

Psychology

The History and Psychology of Labyrinths

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 20, 2021

The labyrinth is a Jungian archetype that has been reinvented through the ages.

The labyrinth is a Jungian archetype that has been reinvented through the ages.

Fear

The Symbolism of Snakes

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on May 11, 2021

How did the medical profession come to be represented by snakes?

How did the medical profession come to be represented by snakes?

Psychology

The Psychology of Allegory and Metaphor

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on April 28, 2021

What's the difference between an allegory, a metaphor, a simile, and an analogy?

What's the difference between an allegory, a metaphor, a simile, and an analogy?

Wisdom

The Myth of Chiron, the Wounded Healer

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on February 20, 2021

What can the centaur Chiron teach us about the human condition?

What can the centaur Chiron teach us about the human condition?

Psychology

How to Create a Monster

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on January 4, 2021

The psychology and philosophy of horror.

The psychology and philosophy of horror.

Happiness

Aristotle on the Meaning of Life

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on January 1, 2021

The meaning of life is surprisingly simple, according to Arisotle.

The meaning of life is surprisingly simple, according to Arisotle.

Anxiety

Should We Always Obey the Law?

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on December 20, 2020

An introduction to Kierkegaard's three types of lives.

An introduction to Kierkegaard's three types of lives.

Anger

How to Deal with Anger

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on November 28, 2020

Anger arises from poor perspective, and makes it poorer still.

Anger arises from poor perspective, and makes it poorer still.

Self-Esteem

How to Increase Self-Esteem

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 31, 2020

What's the difference between confidence and self-esteem?

What's the difference between confidence and self-esteem?

Health

Why Mental Health Is Even More Important Than We Think

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on October 24, 2020

There is much more to mental health than mental health.

There is much more to mental health than mental health.

Laughter

The 7 Real Reasons for Laughing

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 20, 2020

The psychology and philosophy of laughter.

The psychology and philosophy of laughter.

Deception

How to Think

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 13, 2020

The 5 enemies of rational thought.

The 5 enemies of rational thought.

Placebo

The Meaning of Magic

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on August 28, 2020

The psychology and philosophy of magic.

The psychology and philosophy of magic.

Religion

The History of Magic

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on August 26, 2020

Magic, it is said, is older than science, and older even than religion.

Magic, it is said, is older than science, and older even than religion.

Laughter

Why We Laugh

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on August 19, 2020

The psychology and philosophy of laughter.

The psychology and philosophy of laughter.