Tag Archives: Aristotle

21Sep/26

Ancient blueprints for living well

September 21, 2026Human InterestAristotle, Articles, Athens, Atomism, Branches of philosophy, dopamine, Empiricists, Epicurus, Eudaimonia, Existentialism, Materialism, Philosophical movements, Philosophy, Philosophy of lifeadmin

Beyond Consumerism: Ancient Blueprints for Tranquility in a Restless World

Mon 21 Sept 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Epicurus constructed a comprehensive, materialistic philosophy rooted in atomism to liberate humanity from psychological anxiety. By asserting that the universe consists solely of indestructible atoms moving and randomly swerving through empty space, he replaced mythological explanations with mechanistic natural laws. This physical worldview served a direct therapeutic purpose by demonstrating that divine beings do not interfere in human affairs or inflict punishment, and that the human soul—composed of fine physical particles—disperses entirely upon bodily death. Because consciousness ends permanently at death, Epicurus reasoned that death is nothing to us, freeing individuals from the existential dread that fuels irrational ambitions. Continue reading →

15Nov/23

How music heals us, even when it’s sad – by a neuroscientist leading a new study of musical therapy

November 15, 2023ScienceAGES, Aristotle, Benjamin Rush, Bulgaria, Creative Commons, Dimana Kardzhieva, dopamine, Frances Rauscher, Jonathan Smallwood, Leigh Riby, Ludwig van Beethoven, Martha, Mary Priestley, Newcastle, Northumbria University, Oliver Sacks, oxytocin, Riby, Sam Fenwick, Samuel Mathews, Shania Twain, Shania: Still the One, Steve Vai, Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky, Thayer Gaston, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Leigh Riby, Northumbria University, Newcastle

When I hear Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One, it takes me back to when I was 15, playing on my Dad’s PC. I was tidying up the mess after he had tried to [take his own life]. He’d been listening to her album, and I played it as I tidied up. Whenever I hear the song, I’m taken back – the sadness and anger comes flooding back.

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17Oct/23

Watching movies could be good for your mental health

October 17, 2023FilmsAristotle, Couples therapy, Creative Commons, Emotion, Empathy, Interpersonal relationships, Jenny Hamilton, Limbic system, Moral psychology, Music therapy, Psychotherapy, SHUTTERSTOCK, Subjective experienceadmin

Jenny Hamilton, University of Lincoln

Many of us enjoy sitting down to watch a good film because of the way movies can make us feel. A sad film might help us release our emotions or a comedy might lift our mood. Movies can also offer a chance to connect with and explore our emotions in a safe way.

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