Is It Better to Know?

We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg examines the evolutionary roots of depression and reflects on his own painful experience with suicida ... Show More

Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our intuitions about right and wrong, even our politics. We talk with psychologist David Pizarro about how ... Show More

Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable. This week, we explore how figures across history have gained followers by offering clarity in moments of uncertainty — and why that clarity can come at a cost. ... Show More

Not knowing can feel deeply uncomfortable. But it can also open us up to new possibilities and discoveries. Thinking we know all the answers can really limit our perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

<p>Last episode, we learned about the importance of seeking knowledge to increase faith. However, there is a difference between attaining knowledge and being certain of our knowledge. </p> 

The mind contains everything we think and feel – our experiences are created by the brain, mostly without our awareness. This makes it pretty much impossible to fully know the mind of others. Research shows that, to ensure our survival, the brain constantly attempts to predict wh ... Show More

<p>Being able to look at anything from multiple perspectives enhances our understanding and fires up our ability to learn. We explore here how to do that effectively.</p> 

What is happening to us, now that we have access to all the world’s knowledge at our fingertips? If the headlines are to be believed, we are swimming upstream through relentless waves of alternative facts, drowning in an ocean of misinformation. And the internet? It’s the culprit ... Show More

In an ever expanding world, it can be easy to think of our lives as insignificant. But according to David Deutsch, we all possess one skill that gives each of us infinite reach: our ability to attain knowledge. In the final episode of this season dedicated to making a case for op ... Show More

In an ever expanding world, it can be easy to think of our lives as insignificant. But according to David Deutsch, we all possess one skill that gives each of us infinite reach: our ability to attain knowledge. In the final episode of this season dedicated to making a case for op ... Show More

<p>As we develop our ability to better visualize, everything lights up for us. We&apos;re better able to learn. We&apos;re better able to live passionately the life we want.</p>