True virtue would never liken its rewards to points on a loyalty card, not because it is its own reward, but because it is not something we should practice to accrue future benefits. Julian Baggini accruebenefitcard Change image and share on social
We can take suffering to be an opportunity to learn and to grow. But if we are honest, we should remember that this is making the best of a bad job, and that minimising suffering takes priority over optimising its outcome. Julian Baggini badgrowhonest share on social
It is often said that having gone through any kind of suffering tends to makes you appreciate life more and live more in the present. I'm not sure how universal or long-lasting these effects really are. Julian Baggini effectkindlast share on social
If philosophy is to be a valuable part of life, we have to appreciate it for its own sake, and not just for what it's done for us lately. Julian Baggini lifepartphilosophy Change image and share on social
If we find it hard to believe that winning millions might not be so lucky after all, we just don't have a good enough imagination. If I fantasise about winning the lottery, it doesn't take long before all sorts of worrisome potential consequences occur to me. Julian Baggini consequencefantasisefind share on social
On social networking sites, we may expose ourselves, but we choose to do so. We are in control and, often wrongly, we do not feel we are giving away tradable data. Julian Baggini choosecontroldatum Change image and share on social
It's not leftovers that are wasteful, but those who either don't know what to do with them or can't be bothered. Julian Baggini botherleftoverwasteful Change image and share on social
The border between the natural and the supernatural, religion and philosophy, may not always be clear. But there are lines, and we should know and accept which side of it we are on. Julian Baggini acceptborderclear Change image and share on social
Most people believe, more or less, that the value of a human life is the same, irrespective of where on the planet it happens to find itself. But, of course, not every life has the same value for us. Julian Baggini findhumanirrespective Change image and share on social
Daily life is better when it involves interactions with real people who have a personal investment in their labour, like shopkeepers, than it is with someone 'just doing my job' or the infernal self-checkout machine. Julian Baggini checkoutdailyinfernal share on social
