Recent Posts

Theory of Mind Is the Building Block of Human Interaction

"Theory of mind" is a clunky scientific term to describe that we cannot see someone else's mind so we have to guess, to theorize, what they think or feel — especially about us.

"Theory of mind" is a clunky scientific term to describe that we cannot see someone else's mind so we have to guess, to theorize, what they think or feel — especially about us.

Terminal Lucidity, Brain Injury, and the Self

Personal Perspective: Terminal lucidity challenges orthodoxy by asking how a person with severe or prolonged brain damage can suddenly be their pre-morbid self.

Personal Perspective: Terminal lucidity challenges orthodoxy by asking how a person with severe or prolonged brain damage can suddenly be their pre-morbid self.

The Winding Path to Achievement

The road to achievement is rarely a straight line. It is a journey filled with twists and turns, shaped by the relationships we cultivate and the experiences we share.

The road to achievement is rarely a straight line. It is a journey filled with twists and turns, shaped by the relationships we cultivate and the experiences we share.

This One Truth Applies to All of Us

Personal Perspective: We use theory of mind to assess what other people think or feel as well as what they think or feel about us.

Personal Perspective: We use theory of mind to assess what other people think or feel as well as what they think or feel about us.

Using Theory of Mind to Enhance Connection

Just three simple words can keep a conversation going and help you be perceived as a caring person with ever-increasing value.

Just three simple words can keep a conversation going and help you be perceived as a caring person with ever-increasing value.

Development of the Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale

A short measure of adults’ motivation for intellectual engagement and a willingness to evaluate information could prove valuable in explaining some social attitudes and beliefs.

A short measure of adults’ motivation for intellectual engagement and a willingness to evaluate information could prove valuable in explaining some social attitudes and beliefs.

The Value of Projecting Peace

Personal Perspective: Everyone has a story to tell. But you will never hear their story if you approach them with anger.

Personal Perspective: Everyone has a story to tell. But you will never hear their story if you approach them with anger.

Why Humans Have Thousands of Tools and Other Animals Do Not

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Can Artifical Intelligence Be Conscious?

Can artificial intelligence become conscious? How do we test this? What does this mean for society?

Can artificial intelligence become conscious? How do we test this? What does this mean for society?

How to Treat Your Mind Better

Like your morning coffee or yoga practice, making an effort to be more mindful and aware of your thoughts throughout the day can be a powerful way to treat your mind better.

Like your morning coffee or yoga practice, making an effort to be more mindful and aware of your thoughts throughout the day can be a powerful way to treat your mind better.

Standing Up for the Mind

Ignore the subjective domain at your peril. That's where you find the causes of happiness and suffering, bondage and liberation.

Ignore the subjective domain at your peril. That's where you find the causes of happiness and suffering, bondage and liberation.

The Quantum Mechanics of Collective Duress

The concept of collective duress, seen through the lens of quantum mechanics, is a quirky but insightful way to understand how our minds might interact.

The concept of collective duress, seen through the lens of quantum mechanics, is a quirky but insightful way to understand how our minds might interact.

6 Simple Truths of Lasting Relationships

4. Wondering, not worrying.

4. Wondering, not worrying.

Theory of Mind: Our Little Superpower

Understand others' thoughts and emotions with theory of mind, a skill that shapes our interactions and decisions. Discover how we navigate complex social landscapes.

Understand others' thoughts and emotions with theory of mind, a skill that shapes our interactions and decisions. Discover how we navigate complex social landscapes.

Why Movies Make You Root for the Psychopath

You may think watching movies is purely for entertainment, but research shows that identifying with story characters, even villains, allows us to exercise our empathy.

You may think watching movies is purely for entertainment, but research shows that identifying with story characters, even villains, allows us to exercise our empathy.

Daniel C. Dennett: Tribute to a Philosophical Giant

An obituary and some personal reflections

An obituary and some personal reflections

Hacking an Individual's Personality Through Their Gut Contents

The impact of the gut microbiome on cognition motivates us to explore ways to manipulate the gut microbiota of psychological patients by transferring microbes from healthy donors.

The impact of the gut microbiome on cognition motivates us to explore ways to manipulate the gut microbiota of psychological patients by transferring microbes from healthy donors.

Theory of Mind: Cultivating Relationships Through Empathy

Can you understand your partner? Theory of Mind is key to strong relationships. Understanding your partner's thoughts and feelings can transform conflict into connection.

Can you understand your partner? Theory of Mind is key to strong relationships. Understanding your partner's thoughts and feelings can transform conflict into connection.

2 Ways That Your Language Influences the Way You Think

Our mother tongues can have a powerful impact on the way we see the world.

Our mother tongues can have a powerful impact on the way we see the world.

What Is Your Therapist Thinking?

During your session, your therapist may be tuning into 13 inner voices. Here's a look inside their head.

During your session, your therapist may be tuning into 13 inner voices. Here's a look inside their head.

Redefining Personality Theory in the Light of Modern Physics

Modern physics reveals the path to living your best self, an enlightened existence already in the universe's infinite possibilities.

Modern physics reveals the path to living your best self, an enlightened existence already in the universe's infinite possibilities.

Can a Toddler Be a Psychopath?

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

Here's what science says about psychopathy in adults, and predictors of psychopathy in early childhood.

How to Increase Effectiveness in Psychotherapy Practice

Unravel how therapeutic relationships and patient expectations can revolutionize clinical practice and outcomes.

Unravel how therapeutic relationships and patient expectations can revolutionize clinical practice and outcomes.

A New Way to Look at New Year's Resolutions

Our New Year's resolutions tend to focus on what we wish to correct in our lives. Most fail. We would fare better if we amplified the positive.

Our New Year's resolutions tend to focus on what we wish to correct in our lives. Most fail. We would fare better if we amplified the positive.

What Is Bibliotherapy?

Avid readers know that books are more than entertainment. Bibliotherapy boasts many mental health benefits of reading.

Avid readers know that books are more than entertainment. Bibliotherapy boasts many mental health benefits of reading.

What Is Good Philosophy?

Daniel Dennett explains his approach to philosophy and the role of historians of philosophy.

Daniel Dennett explains his approach to philosophy and the role of historians of philosophy.

Chess and Philosophy

Daniel Dennett on what makes an activity worth doing.

Daniel Dennett on what makes an activity worth doing.

Are We the Reason Everything Exists?

We’re the key to understanding why things are the way they are. Forget random chance—the parameters of the universe allow for us because we generate them.

We’re the key to understanding why things are the way they are. Forget random chance—the parameters of the universe allow for us because we generate them.

How to Change Your Mind

We are constantly confronted with new evidence. This simple mathematical idea you can help you make better decisions and know when and how to change your mind.

We are constantly confronted with new evidence. This simple mathematical idea you can help you make better decisions and know when and how to change your mind.

Are You Reading My Mind?

Can we read minds? The answer is more complex than you might think.

Can we read minds? The answer is more complex than you might think.