Everyday Philosophy - Big Think

Skip to content

Bust of a bespectacled man with wavy hair and a pensive expression, depicted on a pedestal, thinking with a question mark in a thought bubble overhead.

Philosophy isn’t only about the big questions like “What is truth?” In fact, some of the best philosophy stems from seemingly small questions, like “Is it ever OK to ghost the people you date?” Everyday Philosophy brings these conversations directly to you, using philosophical insights to unpack everyday dilemmas in an unpretentious and accessible way.

Bust of a bespectacled man with wavy hair and a pensive expression, depicted on a pedestal, thinking with a question mark in a thought bubble overhead.

A gloved hand grips a vaccine-loaded syringe, framed by a red-tinted portrait of a historical figure in the center and a grainy black-and-white landscape on the right.

Everyday Philosophy: When should you try to change your friend’s beliefs?

“I have a friend who thinks vaccines cause autism,” writes Nina. “What can I do?”

Jonny Thomson taught philosophy in Oxford for more than a decade before turning to writing full-time. He’s a staff writer at Big Think, where he writes about philosophy, theology, psychology,[…]

Animated characters observe a family walking in a snowy scene through a viewing screen, inside a control room.

Everyday Philosophy: Is there such a thing as a “negative emotion”?

There’s little more infuriating in the world than being told to “calm down” when you’re in the midst of a simmering grump.

Jonny Thomson taught philosophy in Oxford for more than a decade before turning to writing full-time. He’s a staff writer at Big Think, where he writes about philosophy, theology, psychology,[…]

Black and white image of two people in hats with "The End" text, next to a red-toned anatomical illustration of a heart.

Everyday Philosophy: Why does heartbreak hurt?

Five Lego minifigures standing in a line, each with distinct facial expressions and clothing, against a split white and orange background.

Everyday Philosophy: Can you self-identify as a different generation?

Classical painting with figures gathered around a central person, now replaced by a smiling emoji face, gesturing upwards. This playful twist adds a modern touch, as one figure offers a cup amidst the vibrant emojis.

Everyday Philosophy: Do emojis help or hurt our language?

A composite image featuring a classical Greco-Roman statue embodying stoicism on the left and a Buddha statue symbolizing Buddhism on the right, overlaid with beige, red, and gray geometric patterns.

Everyday Philosophy: Are Stoicism and Buddhism unhealthy philosophies?

A collaged image featuring a partial American flag, a tip jar with coins, a percentage-tipping selection panel, a man's face making an awkward expression, and a close-up of striped fabric.

Everyday Philosophy: I didn’t tip for a $5 cup of coffee. Was I wrong?

Got an everyday dilemma?

Submit your question for Everyday Philosophy below. Please provide some details about your particular dilemma (we prefer real-life, relatable situations, though hypotheticals also work) and try to keep your submission under 100 words.

More Articles

Black and white photo of an American flag waving against a blurred background of buildings, framed by red and beige rectangular blocks.

Everyday Philosophy: 3 rules for discussing controversial topics

In today’s political climate, how can we come together and seek some common ground or understanding? What are the mechanics of doing that? Is there some script or set of […]

Two people sitting across from each other at a table in a diner, engaged in conversation. The table has plates of food and drinks. The background shows other diners in a black and white setting.

Everyday Philosophy: Can you build an intellectual friendship with someone you’re attracted to?

Does Platonic love actually exist?

A serene painting of Buddha on the left and a black-and-white portrait of Freud separated by a vertical orange line symbolizing the desire for inner peace against external ambition.

Everyday Philosophy: Freud and the Buddha debate what to do about desire

Desire is like a drug. But is an addict always an addict?

A montage of famous philosophers’ portraits next to a large question mark on the right, intersected by a horizontal arrow.

Everyday Philosophy: Why does it seem like philosophy is dead?

Philosophy cures no disease and invents nothing new. What’s even the point?

Black and white illustration of people in 18th-century attire at a dining table, overlaid with red-orange borders and white arrows indicating interaction among the individuals.

Everyday Philosophy: Is it better to debate people or shrug and drink wine?

If philosophers really enjoy one thing, it’s a good debate — but not an argument.

An individual in a suit and orange tie gestures toward a firefighter in full uniform and helmet labeled "BUFFALO" with the number "27", as if acknowledging everyday miracles.

Everyday Philosophy: Did God save Donald Trump but kill someone else?

Is it ever possible for God to violate the laws of nature?

A photograph of a Albert Camus on the left and an illustration of a volleyball with arrows indicating its dimensions on the right, set against a dual-colored red and gray background, evokes a sense of alienation.

Everyday Philosophy: Can we overcome alienation by becoming more assertive?

How do you cope when joining a team shatters your confidence? Albert Camus and Harry Stack Sullivan can help.

Two ancient statues, framed by red lines, appear to be conversing through modern emoji speech bubbles. One statue displays several emojis, while the other shows a typing indicator.

Everyday Philosophy: How much empathy is too much empathy?

“I know what you’re thinking” can sound kind or creepy — depending on who’s saying it.

A modern black-and-white photo of a man giving a presentation exudes ambition as it overlays a historical portrait, aligning the man's face with a red dot to the eye of the portrait. Red borders frame the image.

Everyday Philosophy: Can you handle a Machiavellian colleague without becoming ruthless?

There’s a fine line between ambition and ruthlessness.

A black-and-white illustration depicts five individuals wearing robes and garlands, reclining and sitting around a table with food and drink, reminiscent of a classical or ancient feast, evoking scenes one might imagine from the time of Confucius.

Everyday Philosophy: Were your parents right to make you “clean your plate”?

When stuffed and staring down the last bite, you might hear your mother’s voice in your mind.

A red, fuzzy cartoon character with a flame-like head is depicted in an overly emotional state, gripping control levers in a control room setting.

Everyday Philosophy: Can you ever be “too emotional” in decision-making?

In the fight between head and heart, psychologists will win.

Illustration of a brain diagram labeled with letters A through H, set in the center of a corridor flanked by tall columns. Red lines connect the labels to specific points on the brain, evoking pathways that have evolved from the past.

Everyday Philosophy: Is it better to forget your past or keep revisiting it?

Is a repressed memory always so bad?

A depiction of a muscular figure wearing armor and an illuminated gauntlet beside a stylized world map, marked by red circles and black intersecting lines, highlighting the battle against overpopulation.

Everyday Philosophy: Thanos and an economist debate overpopulation

Is there a force keeping humanity in check?

A sandwich with lettuce and bread, adorned with a toothpick, features doll arms and legs sticking out, creating a whimsical yet slightly eerie scene evoking playful hints of cannibalism.

Everyday Philosophy: The religious belief underlying our disgust with cannibalism

Are fava beans and chianti really the best pairing for human liver?

Everyday Philosophy: Is praying fundamentally egotistical?

God is not a vending machine, but is it wrong to treat him like one?