Essay Name: A thickness in the air
By: Ben Alderson-Day (Edited by Pam Weintraub)
Sarah was in her late teens when it first happened. A normal Thursday, it was early morning and pitch-black outside.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/essays/why-is-it-possible-to-feel-a-presence-without-sensory-cues
The article delves into the phenomenon of feeling a presence without sensory cues, often referred to as 'felt presence' (FP). It examines the psychological and neurological underpinnings of why individuals may sense an unseen entity, particularly during states like sleep paralysis, grief, or extreme survival situations. The theme explores the boundaries between perception and belief, the role of the brain's temporoparietal junction in generating these experiences, and the implications for our understanding of consciousness and the self.
Essay Name: The empty basket
By: Ha-Joon Chang (Edited by Sam Haselby)
In 1986, I left my native South Korea and came to Britain to study economics as a graduate student at the University of Cambridge.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/essays/why-everyone-needs-to-learn-some-economics
The article discusses the importance of understanding economics in a modern society. It draws parallels between the evolution of British food culture from conservative to diverse and the need for a similar diversity in economic thought. The author argues that economics, like cuisine, should not be monolithic but rather a blend of various schools of thought. The theme emphasizes that economics is not just an academic subject but a language of power that shapes our lives, policies, and society. The author advocates for economic literacy among citizens to foster a more democratic and informed society, especially in the wake of the 2007-08 financial crisis.
Essay Name: Inventing heaven
By: Stephen Case (Edited by Pam Weintraub)
The Description of Heaven (1623), by the astronomer Conrad Aslachus, feels close to many ideas about the afterlife still common in Christianity today: heaven is ‘a stately citie, where we shall be secure from all hurt,’ he wrote.
Read the full essay here: https://aeon.co/essays/how-heaven-became-a-place-among-the-stars
The article explores the historical transformation of the Christian concept of heaven from a specific location within the cosmos to a more abstract, non-physical realm. It traces how early Christian interpretations of heaven were influenced by Greek and Roman philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and Aristotle, and how these views were later challenged by the new cosmology of Copernicus and Galileo. The theme reflects on the interplay between religious belief and scientific understanding, highlighting how the physical dislocation of heaven in the Christian cosmology paralleled shifts in astronomical knowledge and led to a reimagining of the afterlife that aligns more closely with the original Christian teachings.
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