Finding Purpose

Empathy

Where Does Morality Come From?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on November 25, 2020

Despite popular belief that religion is the main source of morality, there is a large, well-established body of knowledge about the fully natural origins of the human moral sense.

Despite popular belief that religion is the main source of morality, there is a large, well-established body of knowledge about the fully natural origins of the human moral sense.

Attention

Is Consciousness an Illusion?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 22, 2020

The brain insists it has a nonphysical conscious essence. This may be because it evolved a simplified, abstracted model of its attention processes, with the details edited out.

The brain insists it has a nonphysical conscious essence. This may be because it evolved a simplified, abstracted model of its attention processes, with the details edited out.

Memes

Are We All Zombies? (Are Humans Truly Conscious?)

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 15, 2020

Consciousness is a user-illusion, blindly honed by biological evolution but layered with language and culture and deepened by the chemistry of emotion.

Consciousness is a user-illusion, blindly honed by biological evolution but layered with language and culture and deepened by the chemistry of emotion.

Cognition

How Consciousness Evolved as a Purely Physical Phenomenon

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 8, 2020

The ability of nervous systems to form internal representations is fundamentally a physical process. This is key to understanding how consciousness works and how it evolved.

The ability of nervous systems to form internal representations is fundamentally a physical process. This is key to understanding how consciousness works and how it evolved.

Unconscious

The Evolutionary Origins of Consciousness

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 1, 2020

Consciousness is purely the product of a brain comprised of physical particles. So how come it feels like something—a subjective experience?

Consciousness is purely the product of a brain comprised of physical particles. So how come it feels like something—a subjective experience?

Unconscious

What Actually Is Consciousness, and How Did It Evolve?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on September 24, 2020

Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. Consciousness is no exception—it seems nonphysical, but is very much a biological phenomenon.

Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. Consciousness is no exception—it seems nonphysical, but is very much a biological phenomenon.

Psychiatry

How Do We Know What Is Real?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on August 6, 2020

Our sense of ‘Self’ is an illusion constructed by evolution, and our perceptions are like a form of virtual reality. So how can we really know what’s out there?

Our sense of ‘Self’ is an illusion constructed by evolution, and our perceptions are like a form of virtual reality. So how can we really know what’s out there?

Ethics and Morality

A Purely Physical Universe? “There Must Be Something More.”

Ralph Lewis M.D. on July 9, 2020

Science tells us the universe is fundamentally a random collection of matter and energy and we are just collections of particles. Where do purpose, meaning, and morality come from?

Science tells us the universe is fundamentally a random collection of matter and energy and we are just collections of particles. Where do purpose, meaning, and morality come from?

Transgender

Hate Speech: Would You Give the Devil His Due?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on June 9, 2020

At a time of heightened awareness of racism, and in a world awash with hateful conspiracy theories, an expert debunker cautions that censorship of hate speech can backfire.

At a time of heightened awareness of racism, and in a world awash with hateful conspiracy theories, an expert debunker cautions that censorship of hate speech can backfire.

Parapsychology

Do Psi Phenomena Exist? Debating the Nature of Consciousness

Ralph Lewis M.D. on May 20, 2020

Part 2 of 2: A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate whether science should take seriously the study of paranormal phenomena.

Part 2 of 2: A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate whether science should take seriously the study of paranormal phenomena.

Parapsychology

Do Psi Phenomena Exist? Debating the Nature of Consciousness

Ralph Lewis M.D. on May 19, 2020

Part 1 of 2: A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate parapsychology’s view that consciousness is not purely dependent on the physical brain.

Part 1 of 2: A psychiatrist and a psychologist debate parapsychology’s view that consciousness is not purely dependent on the physical brain.

Anxiety

Life Is Short and the World Will End, Can It Have Meaning?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on May 4, 2020

Everything is finite, even matter itself. Life is rendered all the more urgent and purposeful by its evanescence. Some of the world’s best science writers show us why.

Everything is finite, even matter itself. Life is rendered all the more urgent and purposeful by its evanescence. Some of the world’s best science writers show us why.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Moral Character and Purpose in the Face of Absurd Adversity

Ralph Lewis M.D. on March 26, 2020

Events like the COVID-19 pandemic reveal to each of us who we really are, and whether we are sufficiently cooperative and rational to depend on each other and flourish.

Events like the COVID-19 pandemic reveal to each of us who we really are, and whether we are sufficiently cooperative and rational to depend on each other and flourish.

Spirituality

Spirituality, Not Just Religion, May Be Declining

Ralph Lewis M.D. on February 20, 2020

Young adults have the lowest levels of belief in a Higher Power. Should we be worried that they will lose purpose, meaning and morality?

Young adults have the lowest levels of belief in a Higher Power. Should we be worried that they will lose purpose, meaning and morality?

Anxiety

Will the Kids Be All Right?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on January 23, 2020

I work at the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis, and I am confident that our future is more secure than ever in this generation’s capable hands.

I work at the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis, and I am confident that our future is more secure than ever in this generation’s capable hands.

Psychiatry

The Varieties of Mystical Experience

Ralph Lewis M.D. on December 18, 2019

Profound mystical experiences shape our worldview. We can be more willing to doubt the laws of physics than our own minds.

Profound mystical experiences shape our worldview. We can be more willing to doubt the laws of physics than our own minds.

Psychiatry

Can You Accept the Randomness of Life?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on November 21, 2019

Our brains abhor randomness. They seek patterns and crave control. But understanding the world as fundamentally random can liberate and empower us.

Our brains abhor randomness. They seek patterns and crave control. But understanding the world as fundamentally random can liberate and empower us.

Empathy

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on October 16, 2019

Perspectives to help believers and non-believers make sense of random cosmic injustice.

Perspectives to help believers and non-believers make sense of random cosmic injustice.

Psychiatry

What Is the Allure of the Paranormal in Our Scientific Age?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on September 17, 2019

How is it that people still believe in paranormal phenomena when these have been so thoroughly debunked? Could they be looking for meaning and purpose in all the wrong places?

How is it that people still believe in paranormal phenomena when these have been so thoroughly debunked? Could they be looking for meaning and purpose in all the wrong places?

Spirituality

Would You Know if You Held a Weird Belief?

Ralph Lewis M.D. on August 22, 2019

Irrational beliefs and delusions are on a continuum. You would be the last to know which of your beliefs are false. Science is the antidote, but religion is not a delusion.

Irrational beliefs and delusions are on a continuum. You would be the last to know which of your beliefs are false. Science is the antidote, but religion is not a delusion.