philosophy

The "bun in the oven" idea goes all the way back 2,000+ years to Ancient Greece, along with some other ideas that discuss pregnancy as a fundamentally passive state, says the author of a new book.

'Bun in the oven' is an ancient pregnancy metaphor. This historian says it has to go

10:30am October 31, 2023

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

In a new book, Policing Pregnant Bodies, author Kathleen Crowther grapples with how very old ideas – some of them misogynistic – shape how we think about pregnancy and abortion today.

Lee Bae-yong, the first woman to officiate a Confucian ceremony in the country's long history with Confucianism, at Museong Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A woman takes a lead role in Confucian ceremonies, breaking a new path in South Korea

11:15am October 19, 2021

by Anthony Kuhn

Women's equality has made slow progress in South Korea. Some South Koreans want to bring about change starting at the country's cultural roots by reinterpreting Confucius.

Greek philosopher Plato with the philosopher and scientist Aristotle in 350 BC painted by Raphael as part of his School of Athens in the Vatican.

Books
Arts

'Tragedy, The Greeks, And Us' Examines How Classical Philosophers Saw Early Dramas

4:31pm April 18, 2019

by Nicholas Cannariato

The Stone's Simon Critchley premises tragedy on action — as opposed to the generally more passive approach philosophy has a reputation for — and examines how Plato and others saw it as a threat.

Books

In 'Hiking With Nietzsche,' Challenges Are Seen Through The Philosopher's Teachings

3:27pm September 26, 2018

by Heller McAlpin

John Kaag extracts ideas from Nietzsche and his followers — but also from his own experience — in this stimulating book about combating despair and complacency with searching reflection.

NBC's "The Good Place" cast during the Aug. 2, 2016. press appearance (left to right): William Jackson Harper, Ted Danson, D'Arcy Carden, Kristen Bell, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto.

Science

The Good Psychology In 'The Good Place'

2:19pm October 23, 2017

by Tania Lombrozo

Despite my skepticism at the outset, for a light and amusing TV sitcom "The Good Place" does a pretty good job with philosophy — and a pretty good job with human psychology, too, says Tania Lombrozo.

Some questions are better than others, says blogger Tania Lombrozo.

Science

Yes, Some Questions Are Better Than Others

12:43pm September 11, 2017

by Tania Lombrozo

In the child's world of Twenty Questions, it's pretty easy to evaluate what makes a good question. But producing good questions in the real world can be a more complicated affair, says Tania Lombrozo.

World News

French Philosopher Who Promoted Risk-Taking Dies Attempting Water Rescue

3:30pm July 24, 2017

by Amy Held

"Being alive is a risk," Anne Dufourmantelle said. She died Friday at the beach in Saint-Tropez while trying to save a drowning child.

The FDA is asking consumers to help define what "natural" food is. It's an ancient philosophical question with no easy answers.

What Is 'Natural' Food? A Riddle Wrapped In Notions Of Good And Evil

5:48pm May 08, 2016

by Alan Levinovitz

Time is almost up for consumers to tell the FDA what "natural" food means. It's an ancient philosophical question with no easy answers.

Books
Arts

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

6:49pm October 18, 2014

by NPR Staff

Eric Kaplan's son had a zoo trip canceled because one mom worried about reindeer-induced questions. So Kaplan, a comedy writer and philosophy grad student, started pondering the puzzle of St. Nick.

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