Philosophy

The phrase 'I don't know' serves as both an invitation and a challenge, a beckoning call to delve into the unknown and piece together the enigmatic puzzle of knowledge. Science, at its core, thrives not on regurgitating established facts but on the exhilaration of unearthing new discoveries.

Theoretical Physicist & Public Advocate for Science and Atheism

Focusing on education about the past serves a dual purpose: it humbles us by revealing our past missteps, while simultaneously broadening our perspective on what is achievable. Ultimately, it's this duality that encapsulates the invaluable role of education in shaping our future.

U.S. National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump

In a peculiar way, failure can sometimes be simpler to grapple with. You can simply resist it, dismiss it with a defiant 'to hell with this, to hell with them', and return to square one. Conversely, success can be considerably more subtle and insidious.

Actor known for 1980s films like "St. Elmo's Fire

One of my Zen mentors authored a book entitled 'Ending the Pursuit of Happiness'. He criticises the concept of chasing happiness as a curative fantasy – the mistaken belief that happiness is an attainable, sustainable, and permanent state. No one is in a state of perpetual happiness.

Director of Harvard Study of Adult Development & Psychiatrist

Our company has always been guided by our foundational values: innovation, service, quality, and thought. We believe in embodying these values through our actions, rather than merely discussing them.

If someone can take our findings and draw out additional insights, we consider it a triumph. Our aim is to constantly enhance our understanding of the world, and contributions from others are invaluable in this pursuit.

Founder of Bellingcat, open-source investigation journalism network

If you start with a solution, there's a risk you might construct something that no one finds useful, leading to immense frustration. But when you centre your efforts on the problem, it serves as the guiding North Star of your journey.

Co-founder of Waze, GPS navigation app acquired by Google

Love relationships, paradoxically, prioritize emotions above these considerations, which often turns out to be their downfall. What truly sustains us is what we mutually agree upon as beneficial and righteous, irrespective of our emotional state.

Psychotherapist & developer of Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT)

We possess an essence deeper than mere job titles, yet society often deviates us from it. We're conditioned to identify with our roles more than our core selves.

Focus on activities that offer intrinsic joy regardless of the eventual outcome. By revealing in the process, without being fixated on outcomes, you become better equipped to navigate challenging situations.

The issue you're worried about, the one you're likely spending most of your time discussing, isn't the only problem in the world. We tend to lose sight of this because we often perceive our immediate tasks as the most crucial. Given the multitude of issues we need to address, the goal shouldn't be to resolve a single problem in an exhaustive and expensive way.

Environmental Economist & Author Known for Challenging Climate Alarmism

We can use the pain of our past as a catapult propelling us forward. As the saying goes, 'the best revenge is a life well-lived.' So, the most gratifying way to spite all those who tried to harm me during my childhood is to say, 'Look at me now; I'm speaking to Vikas Shah, 50 years later.'

Evolutionary Psychologist & Author Known for Consumer Behavior Research

Seneca elucidates how a tree needs exposure to wind stressors to grow strong and establish deep roots. Without such stressors, it becomes brittle and can break off easily. I argue that a crucial aspect of excelling at the game of life is to expose oneself to stressors that, hopefully, won't be fatal. As the saying goes, 'what does not kill you makes you stronger.'

Evolutionary Psychologist & Author Known for Consumer Behavior Research

My argument is that happiness shouldn't be pursued deliberately. Happiness is more of a by-product, a downstream effect of making sound decisions, and adopting the right mindset. I cite a quote from Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, in his book, 'Man's Search for Meaning'. He posits that success shouldn't be sought deliberately but rather, it's something that materialises when one is engaged in meaningful endeavours. This logic applies perfectly to happiness as well.

Evolutionary Psychologist & Author Known for Consumer Behavior Research

When I talk about happiness, envision yourself at the ripe age of 85, comfortably seated on that metaphorical porch, reflecting upon your life. You're thinking, 'Good heavens, I've genuinely led a fulfilling life. I've established a loving family, spent my life with an extraordinary partner, and devoted myself to a profession that's injected an immense sense of purpose into my existence. I have minimal regrets and have maintained a light-hearted, playful approach to life.' This, to me, is what I would categorise as a profound sense of existential happiness.

Evolutionary Psychologist & Author Known for Consumer Behavior Research

Our aspirations frequently get clouded by external expectations—be it from friends, family, or society at large. This interference can make it tough to discern our authentic passions. Hence, it's crucial to connect deeply with our core purpose, values, and the reasons behind our desires.