What Has Existential Value?

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What has existential value? Its contemplating nature, poetry, art, a philosophical contemplation. But i actually think this phenomenon is much, much broader. It's things like going for a swim, joking with friends, or having a wonderful dinner that are not just solving a problem, but seem positively valuable. The philosopher zena hitz has a nice phrase for this in ah, i'm not sure if it's in her book, lost in thought, she calls these the little human things. Like he little things that in every day you find a little space for,. That are forms of a sort of positive life affirmation. Even hobbies have characteristically that value. They're not about solving problems,

John Stuart Mill's midlife crisis came at 20 when he realized that if he got what he desired he still wouldn't be happy. Art and poetry (and maybe love) saved the day for him. In this week's episode, philosopher Kieran Setiya of MIT talks about his book Midlife with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Setiya argues we can learn from Mill to help deal with the ennui to which so many midlifers succumb--along with regrets for roads not taken and wistfulness for what could have been. Setiya argues that a well-lived life needs fewer projects and more pursuits that don't have goals or endpoints. He explains why past mistakes can turn out to be good things and how lost chances can help us appreciate the richness of life.