Episode
#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
2:59:24
Published: Thu Sep 30 2021
Description
Sean Kelly is a philosopher at Harvard specializing in existentialism and the philosophy of mind. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Coinbase: https://coinbase.com/lex to get $5 in free Bitcoin - InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off - NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour - Ladder: https://ladderlife.com/lex - Sunbasket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off EPISODE LINKS: Sean's Twitter: https://twitter.com/sean_d_kelly Sean's Website: https://scholar.harvard.edu/sdkelly Sean's Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Dorrance_Kelly PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:50) - Existentialism (26:58) - Nietzsche and nihilism (44:35) - Dostoevsky (1:00:02) - Camus and suicide (1:18:31) - The Big Lebowski (1:26:20) - Ayn Rand (1:36:28) - Evil (1:47:03) - Heidegger (1:58:43) - Hubert Dreyfus (2:04:35) - Moby Dick (2:15:51) - David Foster Wallace (2:36:03) - Can AI make art? (2:55:46) - Meaning of life
Chapters
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00:00 - 05:21 (05:21)
Summary
Utilizing algorithms to track biometric data such as blood and DNA data in combination with fitness tracker data to offer personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations is a powerful tool. This podcast also includes a sponsorship for Inside Tracker and Coinbase.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the concept of existentialism which is the philosophy that individuals make their own choices and are responsible for their actions.
05:22 - 12:17 (06:55)
Summary
The podcast discusses the concept of existentialism which is the philosophy that individuals make their own choices and are responsible for their actions. It argues that individuals do not make choices based on orders from God or philosophical theories, but rather through their own actions and free will without relying on external factors.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores two different examples of how people pass off responsibility in their decisions.
12:17 - 16:52 (04:35)
Summary
This episode explores two different examples of how people pass off responsibility in their decisions. From pretending someone else is the ground of their choice to avoiding making a choice altogether, the consequences and ethics of each decision are discussed.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The pressure to conform to the choices of others can hinder the authenticity of our own decision-making process and lead to acting in bad faith, according to Sartre's philosophy.
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Summary
The pressure to conform to the choices of others can hinder the authenticity of our own decision-making process and lead to acting in bad faith, according to Sartre's philosophy. This societal phenomenon, known as the "phenomenon of the Other," can impact the way we view and experience what it means to be human.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of nihilism and existentialism provides ways to understand the human condition and the limitations of freedom, while myths such as Plato's allegory in the Republic also give insight into our existence.
23:57 - 28:59 (05:02)
Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
The speaker discusses how contemplating suicide can help one appreciate and understand the value of life and the sensations associated with it, such as the pleasure of drinking a cold beverage.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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1:09:27 - 1:18:57 (09:30)
Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
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Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
This podcast discusses the potential evolution of humans and AI systems towards a future where they interact as equals, questioning whether we might move away from human significance to optimizing our problem-solving efficiency in ways that may alter our very humanity.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
The human ability to experience and understand the lack of grounding in our existence is a defining characteristic, beyond just our rationality.
Episode#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
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Summary
Sean Kelly suggests that in order to live a meaningful life, one should aim to fill it with moments of pure joy and contentment. By doing so, life becomes clearer and less mysterious.