What Would Aristotle Do?

Grief

Grieving the Loss of My Dog

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Recently, my dog passed away from adrenal cancer. I'm using philosophy to try to work through my grief.

A Personal Perspective: Recently, my dog passed away from adrenal cancer. I'm using philosophy to try to work through my grief.

Social Media

Morality, Violence, and Free Speech on Social Media

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on November 19, 2023

With the rise of social media, "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" takes on new meaning. What are the moral obligations of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X?

With the rise of social media, "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" takes on new meaning. What are the moral obligations of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X?

Suicide

Anti-LGBTQ Laws Increase Youth Suicide Risk

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ legislation has serious mental health consequences for LGBTQ youth.

Anti-LGBTQ legislation has serious mental health consequences for LGBTQ youth.

Empathy

Gaining Cognitive Empathy in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

People who struggle with emotional empathy can still experience the emotive force of what another is feeling.

People who struggle with emotional empathy can still experience the emotive force of what another is feeling.

Anxiety

Using Modal Logic to Address Anxiety

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on May 12, 2023

Anxiety arises from the capacity of your imagination to frame dreaded possible worlds and then demand that they not be possible. Find out how to navigate such possible worlds.

Anxiety arises from the capacity of your imagination to frame dreaded possible worlds and then demand that they not be possible. Find out how to navigate such possible worlds.

Animal Behavior

Should Pet Euthanasia Against Owners' Wishes Be Legal?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on April 28, 2023

“They killed my dog against my will ... If I had known for one moment that they could legally do that without my permission, there's no way that I would have even brought him there.” 

“They killed my dog against my will ... If I had known for one moment that they could legally do that without my permission, there's no way that I would have even brought him there.” 

Intelligence

Elon Musk's New Brain Interface Technology

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

A company run by Elon Musk is on the verge of implanting computer chips in human brains. Is this a good idea?

A company run by Elon Musk is on the verge of implanting computer chips in human brains. Is this a good idea?

Productivity

The Myth of Productivity in America

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on September 28, 2022

Personal Perspective: Do you feel an insatiable need to be productive that gets in the way of relaxing?

Personal Perspective: Do you feel an insatiable need to be productive that gets in the way of relaxing?

Imposter Syndrome

Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on June 9, 2022

You may be making yourself a slave to irrational thinking that keeps you in perpetual anxiety about being "exposed" as a fraud. Learn more about how to overcome it.

You may be making yourself a slave to irrational thinking that keeps you in perpetual anxiety about being "exposed" as a fraud. Learn more about how to overcome it.

Happiness

6 Uses of “I Can’t” That May Be Undermining Your Happiness

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on February 3, 2022

How often do you tell yourself “I can’t”? With these little words, you may be talking yourself out of a lot of exciting life opportunities.

How often do you tell yourself “I can’t”? With these little words, you may be talking yourself out of a lot of exciting life opportunities.

Neuroscience

On the Psychodynamics of Intrusive, Wicked Thoughts

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on October 29, 2021

Troubled by intrusive, wicked thoughts? Deal with an oppressive superego by philosophically reframing its demands, and build new neural pathways.

Troubled by intrusive, wicked thoughts? Deal with an oppressive superego by philosophically reframing its demands, and build new neural pathways.

OCD

OCD and the Need for Certainty

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on August 26, 2021

Your OCD may stem from a false need for certainty. What can you do about it?

Your OCD may stem from a false need for certainty. What can you do about it?

Anxiety

How Contradiction Can Generate Mental Disorder

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on May 17, 2021

Humans are hard-wired to seek consistency. When a contradiction persists in their decisional reasoning premises, this can generate serious mental illness.

Humans are hard-wired to seek consistency. When a contradiction persists in their decisional reasoning premises, this can generate serious mental illness.

Decision-Making

Can Dogs Make Decisions?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on February 15, 2021

Dogs appear to have the native neurological endowment to draw practical inferences, and therefore to make decisions.

Dogs appear to have the native neurological endowment to draw practical inferences, and therefore to make decisions.

Wisdom

The Soul of a Nation

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on November 11, 2020

What did Joe Biden mean when he said he is fighting for the "soul of the nation"? A philosopher weighs in.

What did Joe Biden mean when he said he is fighting for the "soul of the nation"? A philosopher weighs in.

Anxiety

The Pandemic May Make Your Sexual Anxiety Worse

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on August 10, 2020

If you have sexual anxiety, the pandemic may be creating even more anxiety. Fortunately, there are still things you can do to safely improve your potential for sexual intimacy.

If you have sexual anxiety, the pandemic may be creating even more anxiety. Fortunately, there are still things you can do to safely improve your potential for sexual intimacy.

Psychology

Is Psychology Prepared to Help Us Confront the Pandemic?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on May 7, 2020

As forlorn pandemic survivors turn to psychologists, they may not have answers.

As forlorn pandemic survivors turn to psychologists, they may not have answers.

Freudian Psychology

Freud's Brain

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on March 18, 2020

Neuroscience suggests that the brain has "id," "ego," and "superego" substrates. Such information may prove valuable in the treatment of mental illness.

Neuroscience suggests that the brain has "id," "ego," and "superego" substrates. Such information may prove valuable in the treatment of mental illness.

Freudian Psychology

Did Plato Lay the Groundwork for Freud’s Psychoanalysis?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on December 12, 2019

Freud may not have gone far enough in crediting Plato for his theory.

Freud may not have gone far enough in crediting Plato for his theory.

Deception

Are Guile and Deception Our New Virtues?

Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D. on September 3, 2019

Western civilization may be undergoing a major cultural change toward praising guile and deception as virtuous character traits rather than as vices.

Western civilization may be undergoing a major cultural change toward praising guile and deception as virtuous character traits rather than as vices.