The coronavirus outbreak shows it is time to start thinking of ourselves as part of something bigger - while also respecting the individual.
The beginning of the year has brought not only a cascade of bad news but also a wealth of great memes. With detached humour, people on the internet are identifying a problem, but the question remains: what do do about it?
(Shutterstock)
Despite the nihilism and pessimism of internet memes, people ultimately understand the direness of the danger posed by a powerful virus, climate change and global instability.
The captain of a ship, or a soul, doesn’t sail while ignoring the wind – sometimes they go with it, sometimes against it, but they always account for it.
Baruch Spinoza, one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy.
Unknown artist via Wikimedia Commons
Critical thinking is being taught successfully in schools and universities around the world. Studies show it improves students’ thinking ability and even their standardised test scores.
Plato’s Republic is one of the most influential books in history. It has been claimed by people on all sides of the political spectrum and continues to resonate today.
A lithograph from Gaston Tissandier’s balloon travels depicts falling stars.
Archive.org