The Next Big Idea THE INTERESTING: How to Live the Good Life
9 snips
Nov 18, 2024 Lorraine Besser, a philosophy professor at Middlebury College and author of The Art of the Interesting, explores the essential concept of psychological richness in life. She argues it's key to the Good Life alongside pleasure and purpose. Besser discusses the significance of embracing curiosity, the challenges of parenting teenagers, and the importance of forming deep human connections. She encourages listeners to find joy in spontaneity and complexity, and to seek enriching experiences that captivate both mind and heart.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Interesting as a Mood Stabilizer
- Appreciating "the interesting" offers a mood-stabilizing effect, especially during challenging times.
- It shifts our focus from evaluating negative situations to observing them with curiosity.
The Missing Piece of the Good Life
- People often overlook "the interesting" as a key component of a good life.
- Society emphasizes happiness and meaning, but research shows psychological richness, or "the interesting," is crucial.
Defining the Good Life
- The "good life" is a central philosophical concept focused on rewarding experiences.
- Aristotle identified two forms: happiness/pleasure and eudaimonia (meaning/purpose).
