Monthly Archives: October 2010
Love can ease pain, say brain researchers
Researchers believe love can act as a painkiller Love hurts, at least according to many a romantic songwriter, but it may also help ease pain, US scientists suggest. Brain scans suggest many of the areas normally involved in pain response are also activated by amorous thoughts.
Stanford University researchers gave 15 students mild doses of pain, while checking if they were distracted by gazing at photos of their beloved.
The study focused on people early in a romance, journal PLoS One reported, so the ‘drug of love’ may wear off.
(Via BBC News .)
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Talking with God: The Euthyphro Dilemma
Image by Phing. via Flickr
It’s about the Euthyphro Dilemma: Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods? The really cool thing about it is that I managed to get God Himself involved in the activity, which means you get to chat to Him. Cool, eh!?
It’s not quite finished. But it’s reasonably solid, I think. If you spot any obvious logical blunders, then I’d be very grateful – and not in the least bit bad tempered – if you’d let me know. Tell your friends about it, as well – especially if they’re theists. Don’t want God being upset by too many atheists playing it, especially if they’re of the (not so) new variety.
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(Via talkingphilosophy.com.)
Related articles
- The Science of Morality (atheistethicist.blogspot.com)
- Philosophical justifications for morality (openparachute.wordpress.com)
The Death Penalty Is a Human Rights Abuse
Image via Wikipedia
Since 10.10.10 was the World Day Against the Death Penalty, I wanted to use this space to post an excellent piece by my colleague at the Center for Constitutional Rights, Rachel Meeropol, and her father, Robert. Read on for an important contribution to the debate that reframes the issue in terms of human rights, an argument that may ultimately prove more effective than any we currently fall back on.
If life is a human right, how can the United States continue to execute people? We are not the only ones asking this question. The World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, a coalition of 108 non-governmental agencies from around the world, had set 10-10-10, as the 8th World Day Against the Death Penalty. In previous years this day of worldwide anti-capital punishment initiatives has focused attention on the death penalty in geographic regions (2005, Africa, 2008, Asia) or issues (2009, juvenile executions). This year’s focus is the United States.
(Via www.huffingtonpost.com.)
Related articles
- New Worldwide Death Penalty Database (makembelieve.com)
Find out: Are You Right or Left Brained?
Image via Wikipedia
The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.
(Via blogthings.com.)
(More The Art Institute of Vancouver.)
Pets improve quality of life
“Research has shown time and again that there are positive benefits to having a pet in the home when you’re going through a health crisis or dealing with a chronic disease. The positive benefits are true for all age groups, from young children through adults.”
(Via MayoClinic.com by Sheryl M. Ness.)
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The Spoils of Happiness
photo credit: Carnoodles
Whatever happiness may be, it’s not a state of mind. “What is happiness?” is one of those strange questions philosophers ask, and it’s hard to answer. Philosophy, as a discipline, doesn’t agree about it. Philosophers are a contentious, disagreeable, lot by nature and training. But the question’s hard because of a problematic prejudice about what kind of thing happiness might be. I’d like to diagnose the mistake and prescribe a corrective.”
(Via Nytimes Opinionator The Stone by David Sosa.)
NHS HEALTH TOOLS | NHS CHOICES: “Lift your mood video wall.
Watch the video wall for practical help and ideas to improve your mood and mental wellbeing. Includes advice and tips from experts plus real-life stories.”
Can passion beat pain?
“‘Love can block pain in a similar way to morphine,’ the Daily Mirror reported. It said that a study has found that feelings of love, triggered by seeing a lover’s picture, flooded volunteer’s brains with painkilling dopamine.
This small study in 15 volunteers found that viewing pictures of a romantic partner while undergoing different levels of painful stimuli reduced their feelings of pain. Reduced pain levels were also associated with the activation of certain ‘reward-processing’ regions of the brain, similar to the process that occurs with pain-relieving medicines.
When You’re Divorcing
“Here’s one single mom’s rough (very rough) timeline of year one. Just to be clear: This is based on no scientific data, statistics or polls; it’s just some commonalities that were hashed out over glasses of wine with an ever-increasing circle of divorced friends. Stage 1: Freedom! The intoxication of being appreciated by the opposite sex will undoubtedly give you a buzz, especially with the veritable smorgasbord of people you are now free to explore. One friend of mine lovingly called a certain dating site her “personal brothel.” No judgment: From one-night stands to crushes you can now act upon to “friends with benefits,” it’s time to be a glutton at the buffet of orgasm.”
(Via momlogic.com by MaritalMess.)
