Thinking

Richard Dawkins responds to the Alt-Right, Trump’s policies, and discusses the evil potential of ideology.

Where are the four “horsewomen” of new atheism? Well, here are two of them, secular scholars Rebecca Goldstein and Susan Jacoby. 

There is no end to philosophies on living a good life, just as there is no end to those wanting to sell you a program for doing so.

Fr. Thomas Joseph White on the source of our religious inclinations.

Can philosophy give you true understanding about life, the universe, and everything? Sometimes it Kant.

Does a good deed “pay off” a bad deed? A lot of people view their actions this way, says Scotty Hendricks. 

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. But if you’re a Michelin Star chef with a restaurant to run, you’re going to need a better coping strategy.

Humans are a programmable species, and we live inside the most ancient operating system of all — ideology.

You have to be a little envious of those who have faith—they have a motivational force behind them that is near impossible to beat. What if there was a secular equivalent, wonders philosophy professor Sam Newlands.

Two sociologists examine how religious practice impacts African American and Latino marriages.

Here are five ORBITER-recommended podcasts sure to challenge your thinking on what it means to be human in this world.

This week, Bill Nye tackles one of the most complicated hypotheticals of all time.

What does Robert Sapolsky—an “utter, complete, atheist”—think about the persistence of magical thinking in our modern world?

A key cognitive bias isn’t a bug, it’s just operator error (and easily correctable by using reason as nature intended).

Physics finds no trace of God so far—but does it matter?

Jesus was a revered figure and prophet in the Quran. But what exactly do Muslims believe about him?

Faith is absurd — let’s embrace the comedy in that.

Philosophers David Chalmers and Daniel Dennett argue over “philosophical zombies,” created to question the nature of human consciousness.

A religious person without a sense of humor? That’s a dangerous combination.

It’s illegal, yet usually a subconscious act. So how can we scrub bias from the hiring process? 

Albert Einstein shared his thoughts on the meaning of life and his own spiritual views.

Studies show that participants who had more travel experience were more likely to cheat on tests, and believe in moral relativity.

The “Philosopher-King” of comedy is Louis C.K. You may know his work, but you might not realize there is some serious philosophy behind some of the best jokes.

It’s time to get real about key ideas that run our lives, which have been taking laughable liberties with human nature – and with the logic of livable liberty.

The philosopher believed we craved for something less pleasant.

Although we know better intellectually, we treats celebrities as if they exist in a different realm. Is there an element of misplaced religion at work?

Scarcely noticed in the Eden story, there lurk fruitful scientific ideas about why biology generated morality. 

His Holiness Pope Francis wants to see the end of two things in this world: red sauces at diplomatic dinners, and arrogance.

Science fiction author David Brin analyses the moral within the Star Wars films – and it might not be one that you like.

An ancient philosophy is becoming popular again thanks to author Ryan Holiday.