‘I have no expectations.’ Or, ‘I didn’t know what to expect.’ (The implication being that ‘I had no expectations.’) People say this a lot. And they generally believe it when they say it; but it still cannot be true. Why … Continue reading
Nearly everyone seems to agree that self-confidence is a good thing. But few ever take the time to define it; or even ask what it is. The idea ‘self-confidence’ implies confidence OF something or IN something. The obvious implication is … Continue reading
One of the biggest falsehoods of our day is that freedom is based on faith. In politics and culture more broadly, we are constantly given a choice: Traditional, faith-based freedom (think: Sarah Palin); or modern, supposedly sophisticated and scientific government … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: What is it that happens to us mentally as we mature, that the mystique of events and accomplishments lose meaning and that emotional passionate edge we felt in our youth doesn’t ignite us any longer? For example, … Continue reading
A 2009 study of psychotherapy patients in the U.S. and Great Britain found that many patients are “subjected to a kind of dim-sum approach — a little of this, a little of that, much of it derived more from the … Continue reading
People say this all the time: ‘I know, intellectually, that such-and-such is true. But I don’t feel it.’ The next question is usually, ‘How can I make myself feel it?’ This is what reasonable people often expect a psychotherapist to … Continue reading
Backing for new gun-control laws is slipping as more time elapses following the Newtown, Conn., shootings in December, according to a new CBS News poll. The survey of 1,181 adults, conducted March 20-24, shows that 47 percent of Americans think … Continue reading
When it comes to gay marriage, the leftists are right—for the wrong reasons, as usual. And the conservatives are just plain wrong—as usual. Let’s try applying reason and rationality to this issue, just once. May we, please? The purpose of … Continue reading
If self-interest (rationally and objectively defined) is healthy and virtuous (as this column regularly claims), then what can we say about the person who lies, cheats, or otherwise exploits others via fraud and/or coercion? Such a person is at war … Continue reading
Sometimes, when children act up or adults become emotionally distraught, the question arises: Are they just doing it for attention? I would say yes, this is often true. But the issue isn’t ‘attention’ so much as visibility. People have an … Continue reading
The U.S. Senate has passed its first budget in four years. This in itself is a pathetic commentary on the inability and unwillingness of our government to do even its minimal, Constitutionally mandated duties. The budget, while not binding as … Continue reading
Most people assume that problems in the Middle East — such as Iran, and Israel — are about religion and oil. Actually, the main issue involves freedom and individual rights. No nation on earth, at present, consistently upholds individual rights. … Continue reading