The Problem of Boredom: A Philosophical Perspective

We all know what it is like to be bored. It usually strikes when are alone and not engaged in anything in particular. But if we actually try to define what boredom is, we may struggle to do so. Boredom isn’t simply the absence of activity. It is a unique kind of mental state –…

View Post

Where Mental Health Campaigns Go Wrong

Mental health campaigns have been able to achieve a great deal in terms of reducing stigma and encouraging people to have honest conversations about their mental health. This has to be applauded. A culture of openness and non-judgement helps people living with mental health issues to feel less alienated, ashamed, and embarrassed about their suffering,…

View Post

Telic vs Atelic Activities: A Response to Schopenhauer’s Pessimism

The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer wrote extensively on – what he believed to be – the intrinsic misery of existence. Even if you don’t end up agreeing with Schopenhauer’s pessimistic worldview, reading some of his writings on the human condition is still a reliable way to dampen your mood. As I will elaborate in this…

View Post

Is Traditional Masculinity Always Harmful?

For the first time, the American Psychological Association (APA) has published guidelines on the mental health of boys and men. It features in the most recent issue of the APA’s Monitor on Psychology magazine. The 36-page APA Guidelines for the Psychological Practice with Boys and Men has stirred up some controversy, however. Authors have targeted “traditional masculinity ideology”…

View Post

The Psychology Behind James Roper’s Artwork

James Roper is a multidisciplinary artist based in Manchester, UK. He uses traditional painting, as well as digital art software like Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop, in order to create brilliant and distinctive psychedelic paintings. Roper employs a variety of artistic styles, such as abstract, surrealism, figurative, and Baroque (a form of art that flourished…

View Post