Costica Bradatan, a Professor of Philosophy and author of "In Praise of Failure," discusses societal views on success and the importance of embracing failure. He highlights historical figures like Gandhi to showcase how failure can teach humility and foster personal growth. The conversation dives into confronting our limitations and the profound lessons we can learn from past failures. Bradatan argues that acknowledging mortality and life's absurdities can lead to a more meaningful existence, reframing our relationship with failure as a source of resilience.
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insights INSIGHT
Confronting the Abyss
Humans possess inherent mechanisms that shield them from confronting the abyss of nothingness.
Significant events, like a plane engine failure, can disrupt this default mode and force individuals to confront their own mortality.
insights INSIGHT
The Boundless Nature of Failure
Failure encompasses a vast territory, from malfunctioning objects to political and social breakdowns.
Bradatan categorizes failure into four types: failure of things, political failure, social failure, and biological failure.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Gandhi's Failures
Gandhi's life, despite being celebrated as saintly, was marked by a series of personal and political failures, documented in his autobiography.
One example is his experimentation with meat-eating, which he later regretted and viewed as a significant personal failure.
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The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
The Myth of Sisyphus
Albert Camus
In 'The Myth of Sisyphus', Albert Camus delves into the concept of the absurd, which arises from the conflict between humanity's desire for meaning and the apparent indifference of the universe. Camus argues that this absurdity does not justify suicide but rather requires a revolt against it. He introduces Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to eternally push a boulder up a mountain only for it to roll back down, as the ideal absurd hero. Camus suggests that Sisyphus's acceptance of his fate and his continued effort to push the boulder up the mountain, despite its futility, exemplify the human condition and the possibility of finding happiness in the face of absurdity. The essay also discusses other examples of absurd lives and includes an appendix on the works of Franz Kafka.
In Praise of Failure
Four Lessons in Humility
Costica Bradatan
In this book, Costica Bradatan challenges the culture obsessed with success by advocating for the importance of failure. He uses the stories of four historical figures—Simone Weil, Mahatma Gandhi, E.M. Cioran, and Yukio Mishima—to illustrate how engaging with our limitations can be therapeutic and transformative. Bradatan argues that failure can cure us of arrogance and self-deception, leading to humbler, more attentive, and better-lived lives. The book blends argument, storytelling, scholarship, and spiritual quest to make a compelling case for the value of failure in human existence[1][3][4].
The birth of tragedy
Friedrich Nietzsche
In this work, Nietzsche discusses the history of the tragic form and introduces the intellectual dichotomy between the Dionysian and the Apollonian. He argues that Greek tragedy arose from the fusion of these elements, with the Apollonian representing measure, restraint, and harmony, and the Dionysian representing unbridled passion. Nietzsche also critiques Socratic rationalism and its impact on Greek tragedy and modern culture, advocating for a rebirth of tragedy inspired by Richard Wagner’s music[1][4][5].
The Trouble With Being Born
Emil Cioran
Emil Cioran's "The Trouble with Being Born" is a collection of aphorisms that delve into the author's pessimistic philosophy. The book explores the inherent suffering of existence, focusing on the negative aspects of consciousness and the perceived tragedy of birth. Cioran argues that life is inherently filled with pain and that the state of being born is a disaster. He contrasts this with the peace of non-existence, suggesting a preference for not having been born at all. The book's aphoristic style allows for concise and impactful statements, making it a compelling read for those interested in existentialist thought. It's a challenging but rewarding exploration of nihilism and the human condition.
Is our society's fixation with success hindering our ability to find humility? Sean Illing speaks with Costica Bradatan about his new book In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility, which explores failure through the lives of historical figures like Gandhi and the philosopher Simone Weil. They discuss the benefits of engaging with our limits and what we can learn from those who've embraced failure.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: Costica Bradatan, Professor at Texas Tech University and Honorary Research Professor of Philosophy at University of Queensland in Australia, Religion/Philosophy editor for the Los Angeles Review of Books, and author of In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility.
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
