For the Love of Wisdom

Grief

Can Stoicism Help With Grief?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on February 8, 2026

Grief can feel like proof that the world is cruel, but Stoic philosophers argued the opposite.

Grief can feel like proof that the world is cruel, but Stoic philosophers argued the opposite.

Happiness

Pushback on Happiness Right When We Need It

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on January 28, 2025

There has been some pushback on the idea that we ought to make our lives happy. But has the idea that we become happy once we become ethical really been tried?

There has been some pushback on the idea that we ought to make our lives happy. But has the idea that we become happy once we become ethical really been tried?

Ethics and Morality

Good Values, Good Character, and Good Deeds

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on August 6, 2024

Ryan Holiday explains how we can try to be just in his new book.

Ryan Holiday explains how we can try to be just in his new book.

Ethics and Morality

Cafeteria-Style Stoicism

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

Personal Perspective: Critics accuse popular books on Stoicism of pandering to a general audience. But what's the harm of the public reading ideas about life and ethics?

Personal Perspective: Critics accuse popular books on Stoicism of pandering to a general audience. But what's the harm of the public reading ideas about life and ethics?

Philosophy

Is Truth Beauty? It's Hard to Say

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on October 14, 2023

Two new books take us back to ancient debates over the nature and role of beauty. They just might help us sort out some of our own thoughts on the matter.

Two new books take us back to ancient debates over the nature and role of beauty. They just might help us sort out some of our own thoughts on the matter.

Philosophy

Agnes Callard's Socratic Case Against Travel

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 13, 2023

Philosopher Agnes Callard has made a "case against travel," but are the reasons she finds travelers delusional correct?

Philosopher Agnes Callard has made a "case against travel," but are the reasons she finds travelers delusional correct?

Ethics and Morality

Engaging With Philosophy to Bring About "The Good Life"

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on November 1, 2022

What did it take to write "The Good Life Method?" A lot of time teaching in a college classroom, ample feedback from students, and more than 14 different philosophical views.

What did it take to write "The Good Life Method?" A lot of time teaching in a college classroom, ample feedback from students, and more than 14 different philosophical views.

Happiness

Is Aristotelian Happiness Really Out-of-Style?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Arthur Brooks details his own experience with happiness. Having completed an ambitious bucket list, he now wonders if we need to use "reverse bucket lists."

A Personal Perspective: Arthur Brooks details his own experience with happiness. Having completed an ambitious bucket list, he now wonders if we need to use "reverse bucket lists."

Ethics and Morality

Bad Art Friend and Virtue Ethics

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on October 11, 2021

The case of "the bad art friend" reveals a lot about how much virtue ethics could help us to think and judge clearly.

The case of "the bad art friend" reveals a lot about how much virtue ethics could help us to think and judge clearly.

Parenting

How to Parent Philosophically

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on June 7, 2021

Do you have a parenting philosophy? Does it reflect your own life philosophy? This new book offers a template for anyone interested in answering the relevant questions for either.

Do you have a parenting philosophy? Does it reflect your own life philosophy? This new book offers a template for anyone interested in answering the relevant questions for either.

Sexual Abuse

A Better Framework for Addressing Sexual Assault on Campus?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 29, 2020

What if we begin to think of ourselves as having "sexual projects" and "sexual citizenship"?

What if we begin to think of ourselves as having "sexual projects" and "sexual citizenship"?

Ethics and Morality

Is It Ethical to Protest?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 27, 2020

The protests over George Floyd's killing are the largest in U.S. history. Is it ethical to join in?

The protests over George Floyd's killing are the largest in U.S. history. Is it ethical to join in?

Ethics and Morality

Is Moral "Grandstanding" Our Problem?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on July 26, 2020

A new book explains why we should stop some of our online behavior.

A new book explains why we should stop some of our online behavior.

Motivation

Even the Younger Generations Deserve Critical Thought

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on November 25, 2019

When authors complain that younger generations are not thinking critically, do these authors think critically themselves?

When authors complain that younger generations are not thinking critically, do these authors think critically themselves?

Ethics and Morality

The "Intellectual Dark Web" and the Simplest of Ethics

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on June 12, 2019

Do members of the "intellectual dark web" see any role for personal ethics? Why do they not use it in explanation of our behavior?

Do members of the "intellectual dark web" see any role for personal ethics? Why do they not use it in explanation of our behavior?

Infidelity

Morality and Cheating on the SAT

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on March 14, 2019

The consequences of cheating are such that they impact your self-image and, as Aristotle puts it, your chance for happiness.

The consequences of cheating are such that they impact your self-image and, as Aristotle puts it, your chance for happiness.

Philosophy

'Paddleton,' Philosophy, and Pizza

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on March 4, 2019

Did the filmmakers of 'Paddleton' intend to reflect Epicurean philosophy so accurately, plausibly, and appealingly?

Did the filmmakers of 'Paddleton' intend to reflect Epicurean philosophy so accurately, plausibly, and appealingly?

Philosophy

The Moral Philosophy of Elizabeth Anscombe

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on February 12, 2019

If philosophy is for the purpose of getting us to think, Elizabeth Anscombe is a consummate philosopher. This collection of essays seems a great aid to engaging with ethics.

If philosophy is for the purpose of getting us to think, Elizabeth Anscombe is a consummate philosopher. This collection of essays seems a great aid to engaging with ethics.

Sport and Competition

Why Do Some Reject the Concept of "Toxic Masculinity"?

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on January 18, 2019

Is it outrageous to suggest that masculinity is something that comes in degrees, and ought to be assessed in terms of the good?

Is it outrageous to suggest that masculinity is something that comes in degrees, and ought to be assessed in terms of the good?

Aging

Emerson's Felicities of Aging

Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on December 29, 2018

Why don't we consult Emerson more often? And why not on the topic of aging well? He might be of some use.

Why don't we consult Emerson more often? And why not on the topic of aging well? He might be of some use.