Living Well / Free resources

Philosophy, decisions & perspective

A useful way in

Choose one place to begin.

Readable introductions and small models for examining an idea, comparing interpretations, and thinking through a choice.

A clear explanation can help you notice an assumption you had not considered. Philosophy offers arguments to examine, while a model makes selected relationships easier to see. Neither requires treating life as a puzzle with one hidden correct answer.

Start with: A first encounter with philosophy. Open the Introduction or Approaching philosophy section. The full course is optional.

4 selections

Resources with a clear purpose.

Read or learn · Free to browse

A first encounter with philosophy

The Open University, OpenLearn

An invitation to examine arguments rather than collect impressive names. You can sample the activity of philosophy without adopting a complete system.

Begin here: Open the Introduction or Approaching philosophy section. The full course is optional.

Access: Free course text can be started without registration; progress, quizzes, and participation features use an account.

Perspective: University education

Start Introducing philosophy

Context & source

An older introductory course, not current scientific reporting or a promise of personal transformation.

Related reading on Living Well

Source information reviewed 2026-10-09. Provider details.

Public page and provider access information reviewed; app use, course completion, and media playback are not independently verified.

Explore · Free browser interactive

The Evolution of Trust

Nicky Case

A playful way to examine how simplified rules affect cooperation. It connects questions about decisions with the limits of models.

Begin here: Try the opening interaction. For a text-only route, use the companion decision essay below.

Access: Free browser interactive; JavaScript required.

Perspective: Simplified educational model

Open the interactive explanation

Context & source

The public entry page was checked, not a full interactive playthrough. This is a toy model, not a guide to judging people.

Related reading on Living Well

Source information reviewed 2026-10-09. Provider details.

Public page and provider access information reviewed; app use, course completion, and media playback are not independently verified.

Listen or read · Free to browse

Poetry Unbound: one poem at a time

The On Being Project; hosted by Pádraig Ó Tuama

A different kind of attention, with no task to optimize. This selection leaves room for an unexpected moment to matter without pretending it fixes everything.

Begin here: Open Wonder Woman and choose the recording or transcript. It is fine simply to listen.

Access: Free episode audio and transcript; books and other offerings are separate.

Perspective: Literary conversation

Ada Limón: Wonder Woman

Context & source

The episode discusses chronic pain and contains some strong language. No health benefit is promised.

Related reading on Living Well

Source information reviewed 2026-10-09. Provider details.

Public page and provider access information reviewed; app use, course completion, and media playback are not independently verified.

Philosophy reference · Free to browse

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy editors and contributors

An additional route into philosophical questions, with named authors and arguments to examine rather than slogans to repeat.

Begin here: Search for an idea that appears in your reading, then begin with the article introduction.

Access: Publicly readable articles; no paid subscription needed for the selected encyclopedia.

Perspective: Academic philosophical reference

Explore Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Context & source

Some entries are demanding. An encyclopedia explains debates rather than resolving them for you.

Related reading on Living Well

Source information reviewed 2026-10-09. Provider details.

Public provider description and source information reviewed. Registration, app installation, media playback, and completion were not tested.

Keep the context

Take what is useful, thoughtfully.

Begin with an introductory passage or one interactive example. Ask what the argument assumes, what the model leaves out, and whether its conclusions fit the question you actually have. A useful analogy can illuminate a decision without reducing relationships or personal values to a numerical score.

Selections are based on public source review, not a claim that Nolan uses every resource or belongs to the organizations listed.

Selection principles and review limits

Connect the resource to an idea.

On Living WellChoosing between two good lives

On Living WellConsciousness: which question are we asking?

All 12 resource collections · Explore the related subject