Dr. Hurd: I have a question for you. I really admire how outspoken and honest you are about your political, philosophical, and psychological views, such as in the Daily Dose of Reason. I have enjoyed and learned from your writings … Continue reading
Hi Dr. Hurd, I have faith. I have faith in myself. I have faith in other kind, empathetic human beings. As for faith in a supernatural being, color me agnostic (at best). Faith in an invisible, omnipotent deity can be … Continue reading
Q: If we are not biologically programmed to reproduce, where does “motherly instinct” come? Yes, you can make a decision to love and nurture a child, but I can tell you, as a mother, my decision to do so was … Continue reading
It’s considered an absolute that self-esteem is always a good thing. In the right context, it is. But what happens when self-esteem/self-confidence and wrong-headed thinking exist in the same person? Many people’s thinking is undercut, or even corrupted, by unsound … Continue reading
Rosie O’Donnell, comedian and celebrity, has come out against the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden — on principle. O’Donnell no doubt speaks for many liberals and some libertarians when she claims that Osama bin Laden’s execution is an injustice … Continue reading
Q: I just finished reading your article, “The Psychology of Pity”. Superb. So if pity is really contempt, is self-pity really self-contempt? A: Absolutely. It logically follows that if pity is really contempt, then self-pity is self-contempt. In the … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I have been pondering this (Thomas) Aquinas quote from your site that seems uncharacteristic of your philosophy and I am curious as to its meaning: “Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.” I interpret this to mean: … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, I am an adjunct instructor and just finished teaching a short course “Perfectionism in addictive behaviors.” After reading your recent blog post “You can’t be too perfect” I am wondering if you would agree that maladaptive perfection … Continue reading
“Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader.” So says President Obama. You could have fooled me. Obama cites evidence that bin Laden killed Muslims as proof that he was not a Muslim leader. Now wait a minute. Imagine if a … Continue reading
In response to my last column, several people wrote in and asked: “Is pity an emotion of contempt?” My reply is that yes, pity is an emotion filled with contempt. Pity is not genuine empathy or compassion. Pity is based … Continue reading
Do traumas, tragedies, and difficulties make you stronger? I say: NO. It’s not difficulty that makes people stronger. What makes you strong are the habits of rationality and serenity which make difficulty bearable in the first place. You’re better because … Continue reading
Obama says there is no “silver bullet” or quick fix solution for bringing down gas prices. This may be true — but does this mean there’s no solution? First of all, it isn’t the government’s job to bring down (or … Continue reading