Am I Right?

Aging

Is It True That We Send Our Parents Off to Die?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on November 16, 2023

What to do with elders who can no longer care for themselves is difficult, but most important is accepting that that the elderly can still offer guidance and wisdom.

What to do with elders who can no longer care for themselves is difficult, but most important is accepting that that the elderly can still offer guidance and wisdom.

Happiness

When Sadness Meets Happiness

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on November 1, 2023

Depression is rampant, with bad news on all fronts. But there is still room for happiness. In fact, it is necessary.

Depression is rampant, with bad news on all fronts. But there is still room for happiness. In fact, it is necessary.

Bias

Why Good People Do Bad Things

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 24, 2023

Not all bad things are done by bad people. Sometimes people of good will can wind up doing harm.

Not all bad things are done by bad people. Sometimes people of good will can wind up doing harm.

Depression

Keeping Children Too Close Linked to Depression

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 28, 2023

Personal Perspective: Anxiety and depression among children are rising. One cause may be parents keeping children too close.

Personal Perspective: Anxiety and depression among children are rising. One cause may be parents keeping children too close.

Environment

What Do You Do When Pleasant Aromas Go Bad?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 2, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Coffee smells great, except when it doesn't.

A Personal Perspective: Coffee smells great, except when it doesn't.

Ethics and Morality

What's Up With Pride?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 31, 2023

While many people worldwide view pride as something to be avoided, others see it as part of a healthy personality. Which is right?

While many people worldwide view pride as something to be avoided, others see it as part of a healthy personality. Which is right?

Depression

How Bird Songs Improve Mental Health

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 1, 2023

Listen to birds sing. It's good for you. But the positive effects are often overcome by lawns mowers and leaf blowers.

Listen to birds sing. It's good for you. But the positive effects are often overcome by lawns mowers and leaf blowers.

Humor

That's Not Funny

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on June 2, 2023

Personal Perspective: Where do you draw the line when it comes to offensive humor?

Personal Perspective: Where do you draw the line when it comes to offensive humor?

Environment

Accepting Death Is Harder Than Ever

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on May 1, 2023

It's time to restore death to its rightful place as part of nature.

It's time to restore death to its rightful place as part of nature.

Bias

Accepting Evolution and Rejecting Racism

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on April 6, 2023

Want to reduce racism and other social prejudices? One way may be by teaching evolutionary theory as a scientific fact.

Want to reduce racism and other social prejudices? One way may be by teaching evolutionary theory as a scientific fact.

Relationships

Are We Hard-Wired for Love?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on February 9, 2023

Is love necessary, like food, or is it more like a healthy diet?

Is love necessary, like food, or is it more like a healthy diet?

Empathy

Save Your Life: Read Poetry

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on February 1, 2023

The humanities may not pay off in the marketplace, but they pay off big in life.

The humanities may not pay off in the marketplace, but they pay off big in life.

Fear

Why Good People Do Bad Things

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on January 3, 2023

Sometimes well-intentioned people don't act ethically. Here are some of the reasons why.

Sometimes well-intentioned people don't act ethically. Here are some of the reasons why.

Bullying

Forget Niceness—Just Be Kind

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on December 1, 2022

Be kind: It will make you and others better people.

Be kind: It will make you and others better people.

Loneliness

Here's Why There Are So Many Lonely People

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 30, 2022

Some turn to hero-celebrities to assuage their loneliness. The Pledge of Allegiance offers a better answer.

Some turn to hero-celebrities to assuage their loneliness. The Pledge of Allegiance offers a better answer.

Identity

What You Wear Can Signal a Part of Your Identity

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 17, 2022

The clothes you wear make an impression. So what is it that you want to convey?

The clothes you wear make an impression. So what is it that you want to convey?

Miscarriage

What Is a Person?

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 3, 2022

How can a secular society settle the debate on abortion? Here is a place to start.

How can a secular society settle the debate on abortion? Here is a place to start.

Empathy

Empaths Can Be Jerks Like Anyone Else

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on September 6, 2022

Being highly attuned to others' feelings by itself is value-neutral. It all depends upon what is done with it.

Being highly attuned to others' feelings by itself is value-neutral. It all depends upon what is done with it.

Anxiety

Why Active Shooter Drills May Be a Bad Idea

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on August 12, 2022

Everyone wants to protect children, but active shooter drills in school may be a bad idea. There are better ways to protect children without making them anxious.

Everyone wants to protect children, but active shooter drills in school may be a bad idea. There are better ways to protect children without making them anxious.

Trust

What Blackworms and Australia Can Teach Us About Covid

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on July 5, 2022

Blacks worms and Australia have a lot to teach about how to best protect society against future pandemics.

Blacks worms and Australia have a lot to teach about how to best protect society against future pandemics.