Dear Dr. Hurd, My husband’s father recently passed away from a heart attack. He wasn’t a particularly healthy eater, but he wasn’t obese, either. Suddenly my husband has completely changed his eating habits. Everything is ‘organic’ and supposedly healthy. Frankly, … Continue reading
In a complex world, we often rely on the knowledge of others—auto mechanics, computer technicians, brain surgeons, etc. Does this mean it’s no longer possible to define self-confidence as trust in your own judgment? No. To rely on the expertise … Continue reading
‘I can’t trust people.’ I hear this from a lot of people, and have come to conclude it’s a widespread problem. What makes it possible to trust someone? The most common answer is, ‘Honesty.’ Or integrity. True enough. But a … Continue reading
We keep reading that Obama is suspending, delaying or possibly even eliminating Obamacare requirements, at least for favored parties and until after the 2014 Congressional elections. For the latest on this see, “It’s not just the employer mandate: Three Obamacare … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: Do you agree, in the context of our free will, that bad philosophy has the potential to push people toward madness or psychosis? Dr. Hurd’s reply: Absolutely. Actually, people drowning in madness and psychosis are, by definition, … Continue reading
The governor of Missouri recently vetoed a new law. The new law, among other things, would have made it illegal to publish the name of gun owners without their consent. The governor opposed the law because, he claimed, it would … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I’m 53 years old.. I spend most of my time alone. Thirteen years ago, my wife and I broke up, and I simply cannot get over it. I know how silly it sounds, but when I think … Continue reading
I often hear of people who say, ‘I don’t believe in therapy.’ The premise of the statement is that therapy requires uncritical belief. This may be true of other things, but it’s not true of therapy. You can see for … Continue reading
The Obama administration-backed Egyptian government, backed in turn by the West-hating Muslim Brotherhood, has fallen. Egypt will install a new and improved government. Who knows how long that will last? But from America’s perspective, that’s not the point. The point … Continue reading
The stupidity and willful ignorance of our present era cannot dull the force and wisdom of Jefferson’s ideas. Nothing ever will. Happy 4th of July: In celebration of what might have been, and what one day will be again. All … Continue reading
It’s now an undisputed fact, in the minds of most: Edward Snowden, the man who exposed the U.S. government for spying on private, law-abiding citizens, is a traitor. Exactly how did this label get smuggled in to the whole controversy … Continue reading
A reader writes in about what a friend of his had to say about emotions and reason: ‘My conversation partner stated, ‘An emotion is independent of reason. While it might come from a value judgment or past experience, it occurs … Continue reading