Finding Purpose

Integrative Medicine

The Appeal of Alternative Medicine

Ralph Lewis M.D. on May 15, 2023

Why are many people persuaded by alternative medicine?

Why are many people persuaded by alternative medicine?

Motivation

In a Meaningless Universe, Where Does Meaning Come From?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on March 9, 2023

No single information bit, particle, organism, or person has inherent meaning in isolation. All meaning, and maybe even existence, is relational.

No single information bit, particle, organism, or person has inherent meaning in isolation. All meaning, and maybe even existence, is relational.

Attention

Mind-Body Problem: How Consciousness Emerges from Matter

Ralph Lewis M.D. on January 20, 2023

The mind is the brain’s internal model of the body and environment. It is a physically encoded web of correlational representations of the self in relation to the world.

The mind is the brain’s internal model of the body and environment. It is a physically encoded web of correlational representations of the self in relation to the world.

Bias

Why Even Rational People Believe Conspiracy Theories

Ralph Lewis M.D. on December 8, 2022

Beliefs contradicted by evidence are not just a matter of ignorance and gullibility. Chances are that even you have found beliefs of that kind compelling. Most of us have.

Beliefs contradicted by evidence are not just a matter of ignorance and gullibility. Chances are that even you have found beliefs of that kind compelling. Most of us have.

Education

Learning May Be the Key to the Evolution of Consciousness

Ralph Lewis M.D. on November 3, 2022

The capacity for an open-ended form of associative learning may be a marker for consciousness in animals and may have driven the evolution of consciousness.

The capacity for an open-ended form of associative learning may be a marker for consciousness in animals and may have driven the evolution of consciousness.

Spirituality

Spirituality, Wellness, and Conspiracy Beliefs

Ralph Lewis M.D. on September 29, 2022

Why so many in the Spirituality and Wellness communities have been susceptible to conspiracy theories.

Why so many in the Spirituality and Wellness communities have been susceptible to conspiracy theories.

ADHD

The Real Reason Everyone Seems to Have ADHD These Days

Ralph Lewis M.D. on August 20, 2022

ADHD is better understood as one end of a bell curve describing executive function. Relative weakness of executive function is common, and a disadvantage in modern society.

ADHD is better understood as one end of a bell curve describing executive function. Relative weakness of executive function is common, and a disadvantage in modern society.

Personality

Are All Mass Killers "Sick"?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on June 13, 2022

We talk about dysfunctional people as “sick,” including the extreme case of mass murderers, and assume that what they need is psychiatric treatment. Let’s be more realistic.

We talk about dysfunctional people as “sick,” including the extreme case of mass murderers, and assume that what they need is psychiatric treatment. Let’s be more realistic.

Psychiatry

The Urgent Problem With Seeking Psychiatric Diagnoses for Every Problem

Ralph Lewis M.D. on June 3, 2022

Psychiatrists are being overwhelmed by people perceiving themselves to have a mental disorder and believing psychiatric treatment and/or therapy to be the answer to their problems.

Psychiatrists are being overwhelmed by people perceiving themselves to have a mental disorder and believing psychiatric treatment and/or therapy to be the answer to their problems.

Fear

Finding Meaning and Purpose in a Frightening World

Ralph Lewis M.D. on March 18, 2022

Our older, simpler, worldviews no longer work for us. They require updating to a more complex, realistic, coherent understanding of the world and the “problem of evil.”

Our older, simpler, worldviews no longer work for us. They require updating to a more complex, realistic, coherent understanding of the world and the “problem of evil.”

Unconscious

The Brain as a Prediction Machine: The Key to the Self?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on January 25, 2022

The sense of self may be a product of the brain’s predictive modeling of the body's internal physiological state and of its interactions with the world.

The sense of self may be a product of the brain’s predictive modeling of the body's internal physiological state and of its interactions with the world.

Cognition

The Brain as a Prediction Machine: The Key to Consciousness?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on January 1, 2022

Human brains can be understood as having evolved to form predictive models. This helps explain consciousness and many of the mind’s most successful features and problematic bugs.

Human brains can be understood as having evolved to form predictive models. This helps explain consciousness and many of the mind’s most successful features and problematic bugs.

Bias

The Maddening Inconsistency of Human Rationality

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 18, 2021

We call ourselves Homo sapiens—wise human. We discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives. Yet we can be so boneheaded. What really is rationality?

We call ourselves Homo sapiens—wise human. We discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives. Yet we can be so boneheaded. What really is rationality?

Motivation

Won’t or Can’t? Motivation and the Question of Free Will

Ralph Lewis M.D. on September 22, 2021

How the brain’s motivational circuitry works, and the question of how much control we have over it.

How the brain’s motivational circuitry works, and the question of how much control we have over it.

DSM

What Are “Mental Disorders,” and Are They Increasing in Youth?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on August 2, 2021

Defining mental disorders is slippery, contributing to rising rates of diagnosis and self-diagnosis. Young people are especially prone to psychiatric self-labeling.

Defining mental disorders is slippery, contributing to rising rates of diagnosis and self-diagnosis. Young people are especially prone to psychiatric self-labeling.

Self-Control

What Actually Is Evil? And What Makes People Carry Out Evil Acts?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on June 10, 2021

The myth of “Pure Evil,” and the real reasons why people do “evil” things.

The myth of “Pure Evil,” and the real reasons why people do “evil” things.

Suicide

Should Mentally Ill Patients Have the Right to Euthanasia?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on April 21, 2021

Canada will allow voluntary euthanasia for patients suffering from grievous and irremediable mental disorders. Is this decision dangerous or enlightened?

Canada will allow voluntary euthanasia for patients suffering from grievous and irremediable mental disorders. Is this decision dangerous or enlightened?

Suicide

From Fashion to Suicide: Why We Imitate Each Other

Ralph Lewis M.D. on March 11, 2021

As social animals, we are highly suggestible. We see this in phenomena as diverse as placebo effects, social contagion, and, indeed, culture itself.

As social animals, we are highly suggestible. We see this in phenomena as diverse as placebo effects, social contagion, and, indeed, culture itself.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How Can So Many People Believe Such Weird Things?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on February 3, 2021

You probably believe a few implausible things yourself. Most of us do. But it’s crucial that we all hone our scientific critical thinking skills.

You probably believe a few implausible things yourself. Most of us do. But it’s crucial that we all hone our scientific critical thinking skills.

ADHD

Is ADHD a Real Disorder or One End of a Normal Continuum?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on January 6, 2021

The standard view of ADHD as one among many possible disorders may be wrong. It may be a common set of evolutionarily mismatched traits.

The standard view of ADHD as one among many possible disorders may be wrong. It may be a common set of evolutionarily mismatched traits.