Confucius and other ancient Chinese philosophers believed the feeling isn’t all bad – and can lead you toward your best self
April 2024
Daniel Dennett obituary
Controversial US philosopher who sought to understand and explain the science of the mind
March 2024
Why do we do things that are bad for us? The ancient philosophers had an answer
Plato, Socrates and Aristotle wrestled with the concept of akrasia –whether it’s possible to act against what you know to be good
September 2023
Making sense of it
Stop scrolling, maintain good company and above all, smile – an imam’s guide to being happy
Alaa Elzokm
Islamic philosophy offers many teachings that can help people struggling with their mental health
Making sense of it
If you want to live a life rich in meaning, first you must learn how to do nothing
Nadine Levy
Our lives are busier and more complex than ever. How can we use mindfulness to get in touch with what truly matters?
University Guide 2024
Best UK universities for philosophy – league table
The study of how to think about ideas and ask questions about truth, right and wrong – includes ethics, history of philosophy, logic
May 2023
Starting young on the politics of argument
Letters: John Sommer, Martin Cooper and Lyn A Dade respond to an article by Alastair Campbell on teaching politics in primary school
April 2023
I’m all for Rawls, but Labour must not forget its true socialist roots
Letters: Readers respond to Daniel Chandler’s article which argued that Labour should build its vision around the justice theory of the philosopher John Rawls
February 2023
Other lives
Brenda Almond obituary
Other lives: Philosopher and ethicist who promoted the application of her subject to practical concerns and served on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
January 2023
Teaching philosophy in a children’s prison has shown me the meaning of anger
Andy West
The arguments against imprisoning children are well established, yet still we lock up those who have been failed, says Andy West, author of The Life Inside
December 2022
Giving, good and the fallout of FTX: Peter Singer on effective altruism now
The arrest of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has prompted criticism of the type of philanthropy he advocated. But Peter Singer says the philosophy remains sound
October 2022
The Audio Long Read
The clockwork universe: is free will an illusion? – podcast
A growing chorus of scientists and philosophers argue that free will does not exist. Could they be right? By Oliver Burkeman
September 2022
University Guide 2023
Best UK universities for philosophy – league table
Saul Kripke obituary
July 2022
Celebrity dining across the divide
‘You can’t say that!’: how to argue, better
A good debate isn’t about one person declaring victory, it’s about both people making a discovery, says psychologist Adam Grant
April 2022
The father of lateral thinking pulls posthumous tricks out of his hat
The newly published will of philosopher, self-help maverick and ‘one-man global industry’ Dr Edward de Bono reveals surprises about his children – and his wealth
March 2022
Young Plato review – Belfast headteacher inspires playground philosophers
This engaging documentary follows a primary school head who uses classical thinkers to teach new ways of defusing violence
February 2022
Alex Bellos's Monday puzzle
Can you solve it? An Oxford University admissions question
Hands on buzzers
January 2022
From the Observer archive
The great years of Bertrand Russell: the philosopher in his own words, 1967
