Ambition vs. aspiration with philosopher Agnes Callard
Jun 13, 2023
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Agnes Callard, a philosopher at the University of Chicago, dives into the intriguing distinctions between ambition and aspiration. She explores how ambition is goal-driven, while aspiration seeks deeper understanding of values. The conversation touches on balancing philosophy with parenting, discussing societal pressures and the dynamics of dialogue. Callard emphasizes the importance of evolving thoughts through meaningful conversations, advocating for a more aspirational approach to personal growth.
Before Agnes Callard was a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, she was on her high school debate team — and she still loves to debate anything and everything. Her work regularly appears in major outlets such as The New York Times, and she was recently profiled in The New Yorker for her radical openness to rethinking her life. Agnes and Adam discuss the difference between ambition and aspiration, the art of thought-provoking conversations, and whether listening or arguing helps you do your best thinking. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts