The Daily Stoic

Sarah Bakewell on Humanism and The Power of Connection

Apr 22, 2023

In this insightful discussion, Sarah Bakewell, an author and professor known for her explorations of existentialist philosophy, dives into humanism and the impact of literature on personal growth. She shares how her upbringing, filled with books, shaped her perspective on life and human connections. The conversation also highlights the need for thoughtful discourse in today's fast-paced culture, urging listeners to embrace empathy and nurture relationships. Bakewell draws parallels between historical philosophies and modern challenges, advocating for inclusivity and understanding in our interconnected world.

01:03:26

Episode guests

Sarah Bakewell

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Exploring Philosophical Themes in Literature with a Favorite Author

01:47

The Life and Work of Jean-Paul Sartre

02:55

Realizing Your Potential: Taking Action on Your Passion

02:08

The Expanding Circle: Core idea of stoic philosophy and humanism

01:11

Intro

5min

Embracing Audiobooks and Literature

4min

Reflections on Humanism and Philosophy

11min

Connecting Through Humanism

13min

Exploring Human Existence and Bodily Experience

4min

The Interconnectedness of Humanity and Nature

14min

The Gender Neutrality of Virtue and Human Experience

5min

Challenging Perspectives: Language, Literature, and Inclusivity

13min

Closing Reflections on Conversation and Connection

2min

Ryan speaks with Sarah Bakewell about her new book Humanly Possible: seven hundred years of humanist freethinking, inquiry, and hope, how growing up surrounded by books shaped her philosophical mindset, the philosophical principles that she applies to her life, and more.

Sarah Bakewell is an author and professor whose work focuses on existentialist philosophy and biographies of adventurers and philosophers. After growing up surrounded by books as the daughter of a bookseller father and a librarian mother, Sarah studied philosophy at the University of Essex, and she later completed a postgraduate degree on Artificial Intelligence. Her work in the 1990s as a curator of early printed books at the Wellcome Library led her to taking on writing seriously, and she has since published five books, including the lauded At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, and How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer. Her work can be found on her website: sarahbakewell.com.

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