Alan Watts, a British philosopher renowned for bridging Eastern thought with Western culture, explores profound insights on the meaning of life. He challenges the notion that happiness is our ultimate goal, explaining that without darkness, light loses its value. Watts emphasizes the importance of embracing all life experiences for true appreciation. He also discusses how novelty fuels excitement and the concept of play in existence, urging listeners to recognize their role in shaping their reality.
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The Dream Experiment
Alan Watts asks us to imagine dreaming any life, including 75 years of pure pleasure each night to illustrate human desire.
He then contrasts that with unpredictable dreams to show why we choose the riskier, real-life experience.
insights INSIGHT
Contrast Makes Pleasure Meaningful
Eternal, controlled pleasure would become dull because contrast creates meaning.
Watts implies unpredictability and challenge make life valuable and engaging.
insights INSIGHT
Life As Playful Self-Expression
Watts argues life is a role we choose to play, not a punishment or mechanical fate.
He says we are the ultimate reality playing at being separate from ourselves to experience life.
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Happiness is NOT the Meaning of Life - Alan Watts
Some of history's greatest philosophers have spent their entire lives writing about the meaning of life. Why are we here? Surely there must be a reason? Many people in western culture believe the meaning of life is to "be happy". Alan Watts has a brilliant way of eloquently challenging this notion. If we were to live in a state of eternal bliss, then bliss would become dull. Without darkness, there would be no light. Without pain, there would be no pleasure. Happiness is based in perspective. Embrace every aspect of life, the good and the bad, and learn to see the beauty in it.Please help us keep this channel running by supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AfterSkool . Your donation will go directly to creating better animations.Thank you!Song at the end: Adi Osi - ChiaraFor more interesting videos, please subscribe!
Follow the podcast for new episodes.
We cannot change the world. But we can change ourselves...and that will change the world. The goal of this podcast is to empower the individual and deliver profound ideas through art.
Find After Skool on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AfterSkool/videos
Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent initiative inspired by the thought-provoking content of After Skool. It is created by a viewer who appreciates the depth of the ideas shared and wants to make them more accessible in an audio format. While every effort is made to preserve the essence of the original content, this is not an official After Skool production, nor is it affiliated with or endorsed by After Skool. All rights to the original material belong to After Skool. If you have any concerns regarding this podcast, please feel free to reach out.-------
-------------------------Happiness is NOT the Meaning of Life - Alan Watts
Some of history's greatest philosophers have spent their entire lives writing about the meaning of life. Why are we here? Surely there must be a reason? Many people in western culture believe the meaning of life is to "be happy". Alan Watts has a brilliant way of eloquently challenging this notion. If we were to live in a state of eternal bliss, then bliss would become dull. Without darkness, there would be no light. Without pain, there would be no pleasure. Happiness is based in perspective. Embrace every aspect of life, the good and the bad, and learn to see the beauty in it.Please help us keep this channel running by supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AfterSkool . Your donation will go directly to creating better animations.Thank you!Song at the end: Adi Osi - ChiaraFor more interesting videos, please subscribe!
Follow the podcast for new episodes.
We cannot change the world. But we can change ourselves...and that will change the world. The goal of this podcast is to empower the individual and deliver profound ideas through art.
Find After Skool on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AfterSkool/videos
Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent initiative inspired by the thought-provoking content of After Skool. It is created by a viewer who appreciates the depth of the ideas shared and wants to make them more accessible in an audio format. While every effort is made to preserve the essence of the original content, this is not an official After Skool production, nor is it affiliated with or endorsed by After Skool. All rights to the original material belong to After Skool. If you have any concerns regarding this podcast, please feel free to reach out.-------
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