What Do You Want to Think About?

We welcome special guest Jeff Guenther LPC to defend the Law of Attraction, which we lambasted in #37 Vision Bored. Creator of Therapy Den and the Portland Therapy Center, Jeff claims that the law of attraction is the best model we have for how the universe works, and that there’s nothing problematic about it. José and Danielle are not so sure.

Danielle and José circle back to their conversation about the existence of God that they first had in episode #12: Is it Morally Wrong to Believe in God? This time, they debate not only the morality of the belief, but get right to the heart of the question: Does God exist? José is a theist and Danielle an atheist, so the conversation is rather lively!

Danielle is an atheist and José is a theist, but he feels bad about believing in something for which he does not have evidence. Given all of the warfare and destruction in the name of God, is it morally wrong to hold this belief without sufficient evidence? José outlines an argument by William James, which attempts to justify belief in God as a special and specific kind of belief that one can hold by pure will. Is it enough to convince Danielle?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

For those who don’t believe in a benevolent, higher power, where do we look for hope and guidance when things are looking grim? This episode, we bring you the audio from a public lecture that Danielle gave to Sunday Assembly Portland. Afterward, we do a Q and A, and José gets a chance to ask questions and challenge some ideas.

This episode, Danielle claims that we should be teaching hopeful thinking as an integral part of teaching critical thinking. If ignorance is bliss, critical thinking often can lead to depression, cynicism, and apathy, as students lose faith in old values, beliefs, and structures of meaning. Danielle argues that we must also teach our students to create new values and beliefs and to take action, even in the face of meaningless absurdity. José wonders how to best teach this. We end by giving recommendations in our What We’ve Been Thinking About segment.

Danielle is an atheist and José is a theist, but he feels bad about believing in something for which he does not have evidence. Given all of the warfare and destruction in the name of God, is it morally wrong to hold this belief without sufficient evidence? José outlines an argument by William James, which attempts to justify belief in God as a special and specific kind of belief that one can hold by pure will. Is it enough to convince Danielle?

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.

Danielle and José discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Why is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance, evolution, or mushiness in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

Danielle and José assess whether or not the Law of Attraction is total bullshit. After careful consideration, we’ve determined that although there are lots of ways in which the Law of Attraction might be helpful, it also can be politically dangerous and, at times, utter nonsense.

Why is feeling two or more conflicting things at the same time so hard? Danielle and José talk about the experience of ambivalence and dive into how our feelings are connected to our beliefs about the world. They explore some ways to understand, work through, or even just sometimes accept ambivalence in our daily lives.

José and Danielle discuss conspiracy theories. Why is it that some, otherwise rational, people get hooked into crazy conspiracy theories like the anti-vax or flat earth movements? José suggests that perhaps it’s because they’re tired of feeling like alienated sheep and want to start feeling like heroes in their own lives—and, he adds, we are all susceptible to this pitfall.

Danielle and José wonder if the truth matters. Why do we (including your hosts!) often believe things in the face of contrary evidence? What separates us from those who endanger themselves (and the world) by refusing to acknowledge the truth, and acting out of what they want to be true. After considering how enmeshed our beliefs, desires, and wills are, they turn to some practical solutions for saving ourselves (and the world) from this danger.

Suppose you were visiting your favorite work of art at a museum and came to discover that you had been admiring a replica. How would you feel? We tackle the question: Why do we want the real thing? What makes the original special and why do we feel the strong desire to be near it? We suggest that perhaps the answer is not really about the thing itself at all.

In this episode, Danielle and José talk about how to think about truth in the era of fake news. With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know our beliefs are justified? How can we ever have real knowledge? Is it possible to change someone’s mind about the truth through critical thinking and reasoning or do we have to appeal to emotions and values? Is all news actually fake news?

Danielle and José talk about perception and meditation. Danielle claims that meditation is the key to seeing, feeling, and perceiving the world in a radically new way. Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain? Where is sensation: in the nerves or in the mind’s response? And what happens if, indeed, we do have responsibility for how we interpret sense data?

Live from PDX, Danielle and José discuss risk. What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk? How do we know if we are taking a good risk or a bad risk? What should we do when our risks impact others? How does our culture view risk? We end, as always, with what we are thinking about and give some recommendations.