How to Think Like a Philosopher with Julian Baggini | In Search of Wisdom Podcast

[@user-jf3hh4xr4n]

I just stumbled across this conversation and find it refreshing for its pragmatic approach. Can I infer that Julian's approach to philosophy is similar to the Greek post-Socratics where their view was that an academic approach to philosophy was not actually practicing philosophy?

[@trevorbailey1486]

That's a safe bet. His default methodology seems to be Aristotelian.

[@user-jf3hh4xr4n]

@trevorbailey1486 You're right. I rewatched this vid again and he mentions Aristotle more than once. And his approach does seem very Aristotelian. The title of his book reminded me of Hadot.

[@jamaalpemberton8042]

Speaking as an artist, I think most of the tortured artists of the past created despite their suffering not because of it. We don't know what they might have accomplished if their personal struggles hadn't gotten in the way. He does a disservice to pronounce a very general interpretation of the experiences on a wide variety of individuals.

[@johnfrum-5602]

The guy at the left in this painting, Florensky, half-Armenian and half-Russian, was very concerned about jewish question. Being a humanist, he was against extermination of Jews and was more inclined towards the total sterilization.

[@angeliquebaartdelafaille833]

Thank you for the invaluable pointers. Only halfway into the interview I am already more aware of the way our human "wiring' quickly steers us towards assumptions and judgements. How about this prime example of the main aim being to win the argument. Not an ounce of sincerity. The caption mistakes smugness for awareness. kzbin.infoyWEIHOYXi-E

[@peterquest6406]

I feel your book tells us to do what you fear to do and that is think.

[@petermiesler9452]

This is a pretty interesting discussion within its framing - but I wonder how much different it would have sounded - had it started with establishing an explicit appreciation of the answer to, who am "I" ? We are evolved biological creatures, made of Earth's processes. Our Evolutionary heritage had some opportune twists of fate, so that our evolving body/brain kept improving its ability to observe, along with developing a "Free Won't" (that is, being able to stop instinctive reflexes for a few beats, long enough to consider alternative actions and outcomes, and then to act accordingly.) act, process, remember, retrieve information until it became introspection. Now here we are. Our consciousness is the inside reflection of our body/brain communicating with itself (Dr. Mark Solms). Same as it is with all other creatures, each according to their body plan and life style. When one manages to come to terms with our physical biological reality, all sorts of 'flesh vs. spirit' conflicts and confusion gets clarified, and thereby become resolvable. Thing is, you need to do your own homework about evolution and why it matters to you and the body you travel through life with. Seek and yet shall receive.

[@petermiesler9452]

40:00 Doesn't it come down to 'honestly understanding' being more valuable priority than one's personal Ego. It's a shame our society has created so many for whom their Ego is everything. Facade over substance.

[@peterquest6406]

Julian believes Greta thunberg is a climate change expert😂😂😂