Romeo and Juliet – Not my fav but respected

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare (1595-6). It portrays the brief lives of two “star crossed lovers” who come from feuding families, the Capulets and the Montagues. In Shakespeare’s time it was one of his most popular … Continue reading →

Reaction Formation – A neurotic response to fear

In Sigmund Freud‘s psychoanalytic theory, reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which a repressed, socially unacceptable impulse is expressed in an exaggerated, opposite way. The original impulse, perceived as bad or anxiety producing, remains unresolved in its unconscious, infantile form. This … Continue reading →

Joni Mitchell – Not one of my personal favs but respected

Joni Mitchell  (born 1943) is a Canadian folk, pop and jazz singer-songwriter whose hippie era lyrics speak volumes about the current situation: They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. –Big Yellow Taxi We are stardust, we are golden. And we’ve … Continue reading →

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright and poet born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare worked as an actor in London, where he began to compose sonnets. With the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of players to become known as the King’s … Continue reading →

Extrasensory perception (ESP)

Extrasensory perception (ESP) is a type of alleged psi phenomena. ESP is sometimes used as an umbrella term for many types of alleged paranormal phenomena but it properly refers to the ideas of telepathy (reading another’s thoughts) and clairvoyance (‘seeing’ … Continue reading →

Pablo Picasso and the art of living

Pablo (Ruiz y) Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish artist, born at Málaga. In 1901 Picasso painted in Montmartre, Paris, during his so-called blue period (1901-4). This produced a series of satirical, tragic pictures focusing on the poor, the anguished and … Continue reading →

Phrenology – A case of science overextending itself

Phrenology is a word popularized by Johann Caspar Spurzheim (1776-1832) to describe a pseudo-scientific theory developed by Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828). Gall hypothesized that different brain regions are responsible for specific functions. Today, the details are debated but this model … Continue reading →

Phenomenology – Mystical or mystifying?

Phenomenology is one of those words that crops up in undergrad sociology and philosophy courses. Whenever I heard it I felt sort of dumb, like when you hear a big word and don’t know what it means. And I think … Continue reading →

Philia – One of many loves

Philia is a Greek term usually translated as brotherly or friendly love. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle says there are three types of philia: Love for what is of practical use Love for what is pleasing Love for the good Aristotle is … Continue reading →

Peter, Paul and Women – Another look at the Early Church

Among Christians, St. Peter is often compared to St. Paul. Peter is seen as the rule man. Paul, the innovator. Together, they are usually cited as the two most important early Christians after Jesus Christ, himself. Women in Early Christianity Feminists … Continue reading →