The prefix meta- is often used to signal a higher level of discourse—a way of stepping beyond an ordinary subject to talk about it from an external vantage point. But how real is this elevation? Often, meta- creates an illusion of depth rather than adding actual substance. Meta-words are just words Consider the sentence: “A […]
psychoanalysis
What is mother? In defence of the sophists
The Sophists were the intellectual enemies of Plato. They were the first to say, in no uncertain terms, that virtue is not something we discover—it’s something we enforce. For them, virtue was not an eternal truth but a product of human society, shaped by persuasion, power, and custom. Plato, on the other hand, saw this […]
The ‘real’ father
Daughter: “What if you’re not my real dad? Like, what if someone else is my actual dad?” Dad: “Why do you say that? What made you think of this?” Daughter: “I don’t know… I just think I’d feel sad if you weren’t my real dad. I’d begin to like the other guy, even if I […]
Children and divorce: The litmus test
What should divorced or separated couples do with their children? This is a notoriously difficult problem. When a couple separates, one or both individuals may want to break free from the relationship, but they cannot entirely do so because they have a child in common—or can they? Consider the following example from a real case […]
Kant, Heidegger and You
A child is feeling unwell on a school day. The father, in his typical fashion, insists, ‘You must go to school. School is important, and it’s your duty.’ This rule applies universally and objectively, just like the biological fact that he is the child’s father. The mother, however, responds differently. ‘Look, he’s clearly not feeling […]
Freud upside down (2)
Psychoanalysis posits that a child’s unconscious desire towards the opposite-sex parent and rivalry towards the same-sex parent give rise to neurosis and mental illness in adulthood, if not sufficiently overcome. Yet, a closer examination reveals a logical and empirical flaw in how these dynamics are understood. To see it clearly, let’s delve into Jamie’s story. […]