Ancient Models for Mental Suffering

Have we traded ancient wisdom for modern myths?In this episode, Caleb speaks with Cornell classics professor Michael Fontaine.

Fontaine argues that psychiatry and mythology both offer competing stories about human suffering. The ancients had three models: medical treatment, spiritual purification, or taking responsibility for your choices. Today we’ve mostly picked door number one and forgotten the rest.

How to Have Willpower

(9:20) A Forgotten Distinction: Reasons vs Causes

(19:30) Freedom and Responsibility

(31:20) Death, Souls, and Scientific Myths

(49:30) Ancient Philosophy for Secular Students

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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations:

https://ancientlyre.com/