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The Philosopher's Diaries

Thoughts on persons and things.

Cognition
Should We Stop Talking About Delusions?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on October 16, 2024

When we call a belief "delusional," we mean to suggest that something is wrong with the person who has it. But are delusions really that different from ordinary beliefs?

When we call a belief "delusional," we mean to suggest that something is wrong with the person who has it. But are delusions really that different from ordinary beliefs?

Friends
Closeness Between Men

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on October 3, 2024

Female friendships tend to be more intimate than male friendships. Is that because men and women prefer different things when it comes to friendship?

Female friendships tend to be more intimate than male friendships. Is that because men and women prefer different things when it comes to friendship?

Child wishing on a dandelion
Happiness
The Broken Promise of Childhood

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 25, 2024

Children often look forward to growing up with excitement only to become adults with broken dreams. Why? What exactly does childhood promise that adulthood fails to deliver?

Children often look forward to growing up with excitement only to become adults with broken dreams. Why? What exactly does childhood promise that adulthood fails to deliver?

Identity
The Shadow Self

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on June 7, 2024

Sometimes, details about our lives that we keep private become a source of anxiety and shame. Silence weighs on us. Our shadow self haunts us.

Sometimes, details about our lives that we keep private become a source of anxiety and shame. Silence weighs on us. Our shadow self haunts us.

Gender
Is There a Widening Rift Between Men and Women?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

It is said that women are increasingly more likely to lean to the left and men to the right, and that this divergence may spell doom for marriage. Is this true?

It is said that women are increasingly more likely to lean to the left and men to the right, and that this divergence may spell doom for marriage. Is this true?

Motivation
How We Can Set Ourselves Up for Failure

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on January 1, 2024

"Margaret" had been trying to lose weight for years without success, and then, one summer, she shed 40 pounds. What happened? What was different that time?

"Margaret" had been trying to lose weight for years without success, and then, one summer, she shed 40 pounds. What happened? What was different that time?

Anxiety
Why We Fall Into Mental Traps

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on December 31, 2023

Sometimes, we submit to the oppressive aspects of life voluntarily, by accepting them as fixed and immutable even when they are not. We fall into a mental trap. Why?

Sometimes, we submit to the oppressive aspects of life voluntarily, by accepting them as fixed and immutable even when they are not. We fall into a mental trap. Why?

Ethics and Morality
Empathy and Madness

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Sometimes our inability to empathize with "the other side" becomes so extreme that we remain unmoved even by the sight of children in body bags. Why?

Sometimes our inability to empathize with "the other side" becomes so extreme that we remain unmoved even by the sight of children in body bags. Why?

Happiness
What Else Do We Want Out of Life?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on October 1, 2023

Sometimes, we are unhappy because we find ourselves in terrible circumstances, but at other times, we seem unhappy for no apparent reason. Why is this?

Sometimes, we are unhappy because we find ourselves in terrible circumstances, but at other times, we seem unhappy for no apparent reason. Why is this?

Philosophy
Do We Matter?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on August 28, 2023

It is often suggested that given how vast the universe is, only hubris can lead us to think that we, humans, matter. But is that right?

It is often suggested that given how vast the universe is, only hubris can lead us to think that we, humans, matter. But is that right?

Relationships
The Unfulfilled Promise of Love

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on April 1, 2023

It is often said that love promises more than it delivers. But does it? What exactly is this unfulfilled promise of love?

It is often said that love promises more than it delivers. But does it? What exactly is this unfulfilled promise of love?

Addiction
How We Enable Self-Destruction Out of Love

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

When a loved one with an addiction asks for money, we often respond to the plea, enabling the addiction. We know that we shouldn't, but we do it anyway. Why?

When a loved one with an addiction asks for money, we often respond to the plea, enabling the addiction. We know that we shouldn't, but we do it anyway. Why?

Mating
Did Queen Elizabeth’s Lady-In-Waiting Show Bad Manners?

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on December 20, 2022

A Personal Perspective: A woman who served as Queen Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting behaved rudely toward a stranger. Was this courtier bad, or did she lack manners?

A Personal Perspective: A woman who served as Queen Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting behaved rudely toward a stranger. Was this courtier bad, or did she lack manners?

Catastrophizing
Why Some People Can't Stop Imagining the Worst

Iskra Fileva Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

Focusing on the worst possible outcome can be psychologically protective, but it can also increase anxiety. Protective pessimism can be explained. What about catastrophizing?

Focusing on the worst possible outcome can be psychologically protective, but it can also increase anxiety. Protective pessimism can be explained. What about catastrophizing?