Q: Your post in a recent Daily Dose of Reason (8/31/11 "Bipolar: Valid Label or Excuse?") is spot on. I have a brother who was diagnosed with this so-called "bipolar disorder." My father had a massive heart attack last November. Ever since then he has required constant medical treatment. The good news is he is still independent and is able to drive. Unfortunately, my brother lives with my father and has abused this privilege for 3 years. Since I'm pretty much responsible for my father's health; my brother has not bothered to lift a finger in helping Dad.

Q: A relative of mine, a young woman of 19, has been diagnosed with “bipolar disorder.” Is this a valid diagnostic label or simply another excuse? [Note: “Bipolar Disorder” is the psychiatric term for mood instability, characterized by vacillations between periods of exaggerated negativity (depression) and exaggerated optimism (mania).]

A: I’ve said it many times before: we humans are both mind and body. As a result, we possess free will to exercise our mental capacity through the formation of concepts. The concepts can be as simple as “table” and “chair;” or as sophisticated as “justice” or “the theory of relativity.” 

Q: Is arrogance the opposite of modesty?

A: First, we have to define "arrogance." 

Q: Dear Dr. Hurd, I am going through a difficult divorce. It's not about money, and we have no kids. It's about friends. Many of our friends are shunning one or the other of us, with no reason or explanation. It's confusing and hurtful. Some of the "friends" doing this to me were people who originally knew me, and not my husband. What can I do, if anything? Or is this a normal situation to go through after a divorce?

A: If by "normal" you mean "reasonable," I'd say no, this isn't reasonable. But it is typical.

There are two things you have to consider here.