Chapter 16

Suppose we come from an urbane background and behave in ways that our culture considers well-mannered. Suppose we meet someone from a rustic background with [...]

Sensuality: When we are consumed by sensual pleasures or even sensual fantasies, we become oblivious to everything else. By that obliviousness, we may end up [...]

If unseasonal rain ruins a celebrity’s makeup, then how they actually look becomes exposed.  Makeup can generically refer to the carefully crafted appearance that people [...]

Amid a pandemic, when certain areas are identified as red zones, we are extremely careful. When we go to those areas, we don't thoughtlessly or [...]

We humans are naturally progress-seeking. The hope that tomorrow will be better than today is what fuels most of our endeavors. Indeed, it gives us [...]

We live in an age which treasures freedom as the foremost among cherished values. If governments issue any injunctions restricting citizens’ freedoms, they often receive [...]

Materialism is the belief system that holds matter is all that exists, or at least matter is all that matters. With this belief system, we [...]

Our mind often sees outside what is present inside it. If greed or lust are present inside us, we immediately notice the objects that promise [...]

We all sometimes encounter injustice and brutality, as when we see police excesses against the helpless. If such experiences make us feel outraged, that is [...]

Suppose police remain silent while a rioting mob lynches hapless victims. For such an alarming dereliction of duty, the police need to be held accountable. [...]

Recent human history has been characterized by an ideological war between capitalism and communism (or its milder cousin socialism).  Despite their history of confrontation, both [...]

To be shortsighted is bad: Suppose a person develops symptoms indicative of infection by a pandemic. If they neglect those symptoms, they may unwittingly infect [...]

We sometimes succumb to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, excessive net surfing or even much more injurious indulgences. After such indulgences, we may rationalize, saying [...]

We are often constrained and sometimes crippled by our fears. Consequently, we may think of fear as something undesirable.  While some fears can certainly be [...]

Some countries have declared suicide to be a fundamental right. If people desire to kill themselves, the government has to facilitate them.  This bizarre development [...]