Show Notes
According to the existentialists, the core problem of being human is this: we are meaning-seeking creatures in a universe that is silent on meaning. But somehow, we're supposed to figure out what to major in, who to marry, and what to do with the approximately 30,000 days we get to be alive. In this episode, we walk through six levels of living a meaningful life as described by Simone de Beauvoir in her 1947 work The Ethics of Ambiguity, moving from brainrotten aimlesness to a life driven by purpose. If you want to live a life that feels meaningful but have no idea what you’re supposed to be doing with it, this episode is for you.
EPISODE OUTLINE: THE 6 LEVELS OF LIVING A MEANINGFUL LIFE (according to 20th century existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir)
00:00 Intro 04:57 1. The sub-man 10:13 2. The serious man 14:17 3. The nihilist 16:43 4. The adventurer 22:06 5. The passionate man 24:10 6. The compassionate person 26:27 but btw life isn’t a ladder 27:51 Reflection questions 30:20 Lightning round recap 32:07 When Death Comes by Mary Oliver
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