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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Pianist, Herbie Hancock shares a story that exemplifies Nietzsche's view of how humans bear responsibility for creativity. He emphasizes the idea that artists can respond creatively to what's thrown at them, and that creativity comes from within ourselves rather than from nothing.
The idea of living in a secular age means that one's religious beliefs no longer justify conclusions or assumptions about people who don't share the same beliefs. However, it's still possible to live a meaningful and respectable life in a secular world.
Theistic figures like Camus and Fanon in the mid 20th century had a different approach to the argument found in Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov centered around taking responsibility and recognizing fault as a means of paying a price.
Language affects our ways of thinking and being in the world, allowing for certain ideas to be more natural, but it can also transcend language and challenge us to think beyond it.
The speaker reflects on how he couldn't teach his students about the lives of Sisyphus after reading Albert Camus's work, but then discovered a new understanding through German mysticism. He also discusses a person who didn't consider themselves an existentialist despite being associated with the movement.
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.
The speaker raises the question of suicide in the discussion of existentialism, exploring whether it represents a useful formulation of the concept. They also provide alternative perspectives, including Buddhist and stoic approaches.
The group of nihilists who call themselves nihilists have a bad misinterpretation of what nihilism is supposed to be, based on a bad understanding of what Leopold and Lope were up to as students. They thought nothing means anything and embraced nihilism by doing something that morality thinks is bad with no reason that has anything to do with potentially being interpretable as good.
The podcast explores the philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent female philosopher of the 20th century, and how she approached topics like radical freedom and existentialism. The discussion also considers the importance of recognizing the contributions of women in philosophy.
A discussion on whether Ayn Rand's views on existence are more similar to Sartre's, and how the lack of views on social position puts people in different situations.
The way men and women treat each other could be broken, and even if you didn't choose to be a part of that problem, there is still a level of responsibility in working towards changing outdated societal norms.
Heidegger believes that our era should be called the technological age and that we should constantly question ourselves and listen to the world around us without being weighed down by any one realization.
Philosopher Hubert Dreyfus discusses Heidegger's belief that without ever choosing it, the modern age has made us believe that our salvation will come from optimization and efficiency, which is one of the supreme dangers of living in a technological age.
A conversation about the intersection of philosophy and AI with a focus on the history of philosophy in America as well as the connection between philosophy of the human mind and the engineering of artificial minds.
The podcast discusses Herman Melville's Moby-Dick, including the intense character of Captain Ahab and the main character Ishmael's motivations for going whaling, but notes a lack of emotional impact in the tragedy of the story.
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the observations of author David Foster Wallace on the contemporary world and the factors that could have been the motivating force behind his suicide. They also explore Wallace's unique writing style and what he could offer humanity as a part of his legacy.
Melville and the power of sensitivity, learning to live fully in the world, and achieving peak moments of significance.
Isolation often plays a significant role in the creation of good art, as it allows the artist to tap into a deep level of personal exploration and understanding. However, it is not simply the act of being alone that produces great works, but the reflection and communication of that experience through the art itself.
The concept of deeply embedding AI systems within society contrasts to the way AI has been developed in the tech sector as purely serving the needs of humans rather than enriching them. However, in creative fields such as music or art, it may not be as easily applicable.
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.
The human ability to experience and understand the lack of grounding in our existence is a defining characteristic, beyond just our rationality.
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.