It's always tough to choose, but every year our editorial team picks twenty pieces from the last twelve months to showcase. It was a year that saw war return to Europe, one where we continued to do battle against various forms of far-right and nationalistic forces. At the magazine, we were privileged to publish expert voices from the worlds of philosophy, politics and science to face these challenges and more head on, while proposing ways forward. These are extraordinary times, teaching us once more that blind faith comes in many forms: not only through established religion, but also via conspiracy theory and political ideology. Some of the pieces below captured a crucial moment, others rose above the events of an often tumultuous year to give us space for perspective, reflection and – sometimes – a much-needed laugh.
1. Is psychology the superstition of our age? by Rami Gabriel
Every era has its myths and rituals, doomed to seem absurd to future generations. Today, we believe in psychology.
2. Meet me in the metaverse by Jay Owens
As our lives become ever more digital, how do we untangle “real” experiences from virtual ones – and should we?
3. Q&A with Victoria Amelina by J.P. O' Malley
"It’s very painful to lose people in war, of course. But losing culture and history is a tragedy too...." We talk to the Ukrainian novelist Victoria Amelina about the Russian assault on culture and its importance in times of conflict.
4. Eternal cleaning of the spotted soul by Laurie Taylor
While his teachers preached purity, Freud gave the teenage Laurie Taylor a pleasingly different view.
5. Persecuting pregnancy by Soraya Chemaly
The overturning of Roe vs Wade in the United States has created perverse new rights and incentives.
6. Keeping the faith? by Andrew Copson
With the accession of King Charles III, we have a historic opportunity to modernise the monarchy.
7. Q&A with Geoffrey Nice by Francis Wade
The QC who led the prosecution at the trial of Slobodan Milosevic discusses genocide in China and the efficacy of international justice mechanisms.
8. Rethinking the origins of life by Peter Forbes
Groundbreaking new research looks set to overturn our understanding of the origins of life on Earth.
9. Dystopia by degrees by Alice Bell
As the climate crisis deepens, so will the battle over how to tackle it. Should we expect an increase in violence?
10. Here be dragons by Kit Chapman
How do we warn future generations about our toxic waste?
11. The meaning of war by Peter Salmon
Can we ever tell the truth about conflict? An epic film about Hitler takes this question head on.
12. The pull of our ancient ancestors by Samira Ahmed
A tent city at Stanton Moor, a hugely popular British Museum show on Stonehenge ... Why are we seeking out our ancient ancestors?
13. Q&A with Francis Fukuyama by J.P. O'Malley
‘‘Many progressives have abandoned basic liberal values...’’ We talk with Francis Fukuyama about why he believes liberalism today is badly in need of articulation and celebration.
14. Sweden's summer of hate by Dominic Hinde
Sweden has long been seen as a tolerant nation – but the far right now holds unprecedented power. What happened?
15. Is monogamy morally wrong? by Brian Earp
Celebrated as the ideal form of romance, a growing cadre of philosophers argue that monogamy is actually unethical.
16. Hungary's dangerous model of "Christian Democracy" by Amanda Coakley
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a former atheist, is using religion to justify his goal to "make Hungary great again".
17. Henrietta Lacks and the fight for genetic justice by Semmi W.
The cells of Henrietta Lacks were harvested without her consent and have proved vital to medical research. Now her family is suing.
18. Faith in education by Emma Park
Taxpayers are funding thousands of faith schools in England and Wales. They deserve much greater scrutiny.
19. The mental life of mountains by Keith Frankish
Panpsychism – the theory that everything has consciousness – is undergoing a surprising renaissance. Is it worth our attention?
20. Why we need a radical approach to the countryside by Fiona Sampson
The Romantic movement saw how political the countryside could be. Such an approach could help us confront the climate crisis.
As we ring in the New Year with feasting and drinking, we hope enjoy this offering of nourishment for the brain. Out with the old, in with the new... and on to 2023!
