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--Observation--

Good philosophy emerges from science.

Science

Wonder-first Science

Science told with awe, meaning, and clarity.
Tidbits:

Stories, Quotes, and FAQs.

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SCIENCE
Featured Story
Science
Story
13.4 Billion Years Ago
Galaxies are Born
Verified. Empirically supported and rationally deduced.
Expanding Universe
Galaxies emerged quickly from an initially simple universe. They started within a few hundred million years of the Big Bang. Observations confirm that gravity wasted little time turning primordial gas into organized systems, even before features we now consider typical. Such as central supermassive black holes commonly found in galaxies.
Featured QUOTE
Science
Quote
“Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.”
Ancient Humans
In On the Origin of Species, first published in 1859 in London, Darwin gave only a short nod to human origins, but it was enough to point the future in a new direction. That small sentence rang the bell for what would later become paleoanthropology.
Featured FAQ
New This Week
Science
FAQ
Was T. Rex feathered?
Dinosaur Evolution
The T. rex feather question is a great example of how ideas move through categories. Scaly skin impressions are empirical. Comparisons to feathered relatives are rational. A fuzzy young T. rex or partly feathered adult remains speculative. Good thinking means keeping each piece in its proper place.
Updated Tidbits
06 Jun 2026
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06 Jun 2026
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Science
Observe & Measure
Good philosophy emerges from science.

Our Clearest Lens of Reality: New looks at scientific results with a focus on the philosophical. To understand reality beyond the empirical, you must first understand what we see.  At the core of what we see is the cosmos guided by forces controlling particles evolving into life. 

Note: To explore the process of science, visit Philosophy of Science tab under Truth Hammers in our Critical Thinking topic. 

Deep-Dive Articles
TST COLUMN
01 Jan 2028
Philosophy
Article
The Nature of Time
Time
Sun 2 Jun 2024
(2 years ago)
Updated 3 months ago.
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New Ideas
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Explore Science-first Philosophy
Think well. Live well.
PHILOSOPHY: Think well. Live well.
Science-first philosophy with one goal: flourishing for all. It begins with the split between reality and thought, then adds tools for thinking clearly and living legal, moral, and fair. That fairness includes accepting that others will hold their own religious beliefs.
1 Goal » 2 Layers » 3 Hammers » 4 Traps » 5 Tools
TWO PATHS
Today's Thought
We inherit the past, interpret the present, and shape the future by learning how to think well and live well.
Subscribe to add a bit of science and philosophy to your life.

One central idea each month. Imagine adding 12 life-changing ideas to your worldview each year. The column is just the starting point. The supporting research includes tidbits and a deep-dive article. Build wisdom at your pace with the TST Trainer, listen on the road, and dig deeper when you can. When inspired, share your opinions, questions, or pushback here on TST.

One central idea each month. Imagine adding 12 life-changing ideas to your worldview each year. Build wisdom at your pace with the TST Trainer, listen on the road, and dig deeper when you can. When inspired, share your opinions, questions, or pushback here on TST.

TST Column
June 2026
TST Column
Jun 2026

THIS MONTH: Spirituality.

Your spirituality does not have to disappear as science advances. It can mature by distinguishing shared empirical reality from personal meaning, faith, mystery, and the unknown.
AUDIO
Listen to the column, or the research behind it.
Column 3 of 3 in the series.
How ideas become truth.

Column Research

Stories: Science Philosophy Critical Thinking History Big Bang Metaphysics Evolution Biases Futurism Ancient History Ethics Reasoning

1 Essay + 6 Tidbits
1 Focus
Plus a bonus deep-dive article.
This Month:
— Spirituality —
The future of spirituality may depend on better categories: shared reality for empirical claims, and personal meaning for faith, mystery, and the unknowable.
Greetings!

This column explores how spirituality might evolve over the next few generations as science, religion, and global culture continue to interact. Rather than framing the future as religion versus science, it asks whether spiritual traditions can mature by separating empirical claims from deeper stories of meaning, identity, morality, suffering, and hope. The linked article and supporting tidbits expand the idea through TST’s Material-Spiritual Framework, offering a path toward future common ground without dismissing either scientific truth or personal belief.

–Michael Alan Prestwood
6 Research Tidbits
Wisdom Builder Crossroads
The research, stories, and questions that inform this issue.

1 Story »

Secular Spirituality Settles
Reference Date: 2200 CE (+/- 50 years)
Start to live your life better now by sorting truth from belief with honesty. Let science guide the observable, reason guide what is coherent, but hold spirituality humbly.

2 Quote »

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
Embrace a secular approach to your spirituality which grounds awe and meaning in observable human experience. Judge spiritual claims against measurable effects.

3 Science »

What is the difference between a spiritual and empirical belief?
In your life, let empirical beliefs track the material world. Spiritual beliefs can still explore meaning, purpose, essence, sacredness, and the unknown.

4Philosophy »

What is secular spirituality?
To live within secular spirituality, your exploration of the unknown and unknowable need to stem from testable observations.

5Critical Thinking »

How does spirituality relate to public belief?
When talking about spirituality, remember to accept personal beliefs as is until you are asked to accept a claim as true. When that happens, the claim enters public belief, and needs to be sorted.

6History!

Is secular spirituality supported in history and science?
True spirituality starts when you prioritize nature. The stars, rivers, and living systems around us are not background scenery. They are the ground of awe.
Take the deep dive.
Linked Article
Philosophy
Working Paper
The Material-Spiritual Framework: A Philosophy of Spirituality
Spirituality
Embrace spirituality using a framework that sorts ideas carefully. Empirical claims belong to the shared material world and should answer to evidence. Spiritual stories can explore meaning, identity, hope, morality, and the unknowable. Clarity allows tolerance without surrendering truth.
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This month @ TST
Column Menu
June 2026
»COLUMN ARCHIVE
Column Research….
1. Timeline Story
Secular Spirituality Settles
2. Linked Quote
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
3. Science FAQ »
What is the difference between a spiritual and empirical belief?
4. Philosophy FAQ »
What is secular spirituality?
5. Critical Thinking FAQ »
How does spirituality relate to public belief?
6. History FAQ!
Is secular spirituality supported in history and science?
Bonus Deep-Dive Article
The Material-Spiritual Framework: A Philosophy of Spirituality

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A Science-First Book about the Ideas That Shape Us

30 Philosophers: A New Look at Timeless Ideas explores how human understanding has evolved — from ancient questions to modern scientific thinking.

Written by natural philosopher Michael Alan Prestwood, the book blends philosophy, science, and history into clear, human stories focused on explanation over authority and meaning over memorization.

For those who value better thinking over being right.

The Book Video
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