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The Biology of Human Nature

Philosophy, madness, and the evolution of the mind

Fear
Paranoid? You’re Not Alone

Justin Garson Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

An interview with the founder of the National Paranoia Network, Peter Bullimore, about finding support for paranoid beliefs.

An interview with the founder of the National Paranoia Network, Peter Bullimore, about finding support for paranoid beliefs.

Cognition
The Art of Thinking Well

Justin Garson Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

A towering philosopher and cognitive scientist reflects back on an iconoclastic career and shares some of his best thinking tools.

A towering philosopher and cognitive scientist reflects back on an iconoclastic career and shares some of his best thinking tools.

Family Dynamics
Revisiting a Medical Mystery

Justin Garson Ph.D. on June 13, 2023

A new book explores the Morlok quadruplets, who went from national celebrities to schizophrenia sufferers. How should we think about the role of family dynamics in schizophrenia?

A new book explores the Morlok quadruplets, who went from national celebrities to schizophrenia sufferers. How should we think about the role of family dynamics in schizophrenia?

Depression
The Insight Paradox

Justin Garson Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

An emerging body of evidence shows that letting go of delusional beliefs can actually make us worse off. But why?

An emerging body of evidence shows that letting go of delusional beliefs can actually make us worse off. But why?

Sex
Is a Person's Sex a Social Construct?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Scientists still don’t entirely agree about what exactly makes a person female or male, or even whether sex is a kind of human invention.

Scientists still don’t entirely agree about what exactly makes a person female or male, or even whether sex is a kind of human invention.

ADHD
Did ADHD Evolve to Help Us?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Evidence mounts that ADHD isn’t a brain deficit, but an evolved cognitive style with its own strengths.

Evidence mounts that ADHD isn’t a brain deficit, but an evolved cognitive style with its own strengths.

Psychiatry
The Debate Over Psychiatric Diagnosis

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

A small but vocal group of mental health professionals and service users promotes alternatives to psychiatric diagnosis. It's time to hear them out.

A small but vocal group of mental health professionals and service users promotes alternatives to psychiatric diagnosis. It's time to hear them out.

Neurodiversity
Are Mental Disorders Evolved Cognitive Styles?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 3, 2022

Recent research suggests that disorders such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, autism, and schizophrenia might actually exist to aid group survival.

Recent research suggests that disorders such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, autism, and schizophrenia might actually exist to aid group survival.

Therapy
Grandiose Delusions and the Meaning of Life

Justin Garson Ph.D. on September 20, 2022

Recent research suggests that delusions of grandeur might give people a powerful sense of meaning, purpose and significance. This research has profound implications.

Recent research suggests that delusions of grandeur might give people a powerful sense of meaning, purpose and significance. This research has profound implications.