Moral Monday: The Hellgramite Method

Bonjour, mes amis! Well, it’s been precipitating quite a bit here recently in the Golden Triangle region, so I’ve been catching up on the 1980’s reincarnation of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone (TTZ).  Much like Gene Roddenberry’s original Star Trek, TTZ are often a mix of science fiction and morality tales.  We emphasize critical thinking… Continue reading Moral Monday: The Hellgramite Method

Moral Monday: On Empathy

Well, hello there. Due to the recent natural disasters and mass shootings there has been an influx of attention to mental health services in this country.  It is yet to be determined if anything other than media discussions will arise from these problems, but I hope the rubber will one day hit the road with… Continue reading Moral Monday: On Empathy

Psychology of Effectiveness: Starting the New Year Well

Merry New Year (tomorrow)! If you were expecting JustHeath to talk about New Year’s resolutions, then I’m afraid that I’m going to have to disappoint you.  You see, I do not make them…never have, never plan on doing so in the future.  I’m certainly not against them or the concept, but my personal decision is… Continue reading Psychology of Effectiveness: Starting the New Year Well

Holiday Comfort: TV Edition

Aloha! LKAwesome recently posed readers a series of related questions: “So tell us over here at Philosophy Matters what brings you comfort when the weather gets colder. Is it family? Friends? A lucky sweatshirt or a favorite meal? How do you know when it is time to reach for that comfort?” Today, I’m going to… Continue reading Holiday Comfort: TV Edition

Holiday Hecticness: Stress Management Techniques

  Bonjour! I’ve always had a mixture of feelings about the holidays.  On the one hand, they are a time for families gathering together and celebration.  On the other hand—but not necessarily unrelated to the first hand—, they are a hypercommercialized and stressful season.  They are a time for endings and beginnings…of remembrance and nostalgic… Continue reading Holiday Hecticness: Stress Management Techniques

#Winning: Thought-Priming to Influence Behavior

  Merry Monday! JustHeath likes games.  In fact, he is the co-sponsor for an Analog Gaming Club—get it?…non-digital.  We recently had our last meeting for the semester (a  tournament), and I recalled a famous psychological study involving a classic game.  Today, I’m going to share with you Dijksterhuis and van Knippenberg’s (1998) research about a… Continue reading #Winning: Thought-Priming to Influence Behavior

We’re Number One?!?!?: Sports and Psychology

Merry Monday! JustHeath likes sports and athletic events.  JustHeath also places a huge value on loyalty.  Thus, you may be thinking that I am one of those diehard fans of one’s alma mater(s)…you would be in error.  I enjoy close games between skilled opponents and not blowouts regardless of whether or not “my” team is… Continue reading We’re Number One?!?!?: Sports and Psychology

Thanks-for-Giving: The Gifted

  Merry Thanks-for-Giving Week! JustHeath has often been described as “mysterious,” “private,” “esoteric,” etc.  This criticism is fair.  However, I’m going to divulge some things today, so pay attention! (Revelation #1:  JustHeath very much dislikes unnecessarily repeating himself.)  Firstly, I admit that I am somewhat resistant to anything resembling a fad (Revelation #2), so that… Continue reading Thanks-for-Giving: The Gifted

Moral (Principles) Monday

Bonjour! Here at Philosophy Matters, we talk a lot about morals and ethics, so today I thought I’d briefly discuss some of the philosophical principles most of the ethical codes in the helping professions are based upon.  First, I should point out that most professional organizations have some sort of ethical code that members must… Continue reading Moral (Principles) Monday

Moral Monday: Political Advertisements (TV Edition)

Merry Moral Monday! So, I’ve been told there’s some sort of democratic rights of citizens shindig going on tomorrow.  In honour of electing complete strangers to later actually elect (or re-elect) the personage who shall bear the burdensome title of “Mr. President,” I wanted to pose a couple of questions for readers to consider critically. … Continue reading Moral Monday: Political Advertisements (TV Edition)