Michael Schur, the creative mind behind beloved shows like "Parks and Recreation" and "The Good Place," delves into the world of moral dilemmas. He explores thought-provoking questions, such as the trolley problem and the ethics of white lies. Schur discusses the importance of virtue and how our instincts influence moral choices. He challenges listeners to think critically about everyday actions, like the simple act of returning a shopping cart, and how small choices can improve community well-being.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Rule Following
Michael Schur's biggest fear is being told he's breaking a rule by someone in uniform.
This stems from a lifelong concern about right and wrong, influencing his interest in ethics.
insights INSIGHT
Virtue Ethics and Anger
Punching a friend for no reason is wrong, according to Aristotle's virtue ethics.
It represents excessive anger, while a lack of anger can also be detrimental.
insights INSIGHT
The Trolley Problem's Implications
The trolley problem highlights that ethical dilemmas aren't solely about numbers.
Using people as mere means to an end, even for a greater good, is problematic.
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In this book, Esther Perel explores the paradoxical union of domesticity and sexual desire, arguing that our cultural penchant for equality, togetherness, and absolute candor can be antithetical to erotic desire. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience as a couples therapist, Perel uses case studies and lively discussions to demonstrate how more exciting, playful, and poetic sex is possible in long-term relationships. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining independence, mystery, and the space between self and other to sustain desire.
How to Be Perfect
The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
Mike Schur
This book provides an introduction to various philosophical arguments on ethics, presented in a humorous and accessible manner. Michael Schur, drawing from his extensive research for his TV show 'The Good Place', covers concepts such as deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, and more. The book starts with simple ethical questions and progresses to more complex moral issues, aiming to make ethics relatable and understandable. Schur argues that while perfection is unrealistic, striving to live a more ethical life using pieces of different philosophical viewpoints is a more practical and fulfilling approach.
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Life is filled with all kinds of moral dilemmas— from the mundane to the momentous. Should I lie and tell my friend that I like her ugly shirt? Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Ultimately, does anything we do even matter?
In today’s conversation, television writer and producer, Michael Schur helps us to navigate our moral dilemmas and answer some of these difficult questions.
Schur is best known for creating and co-creating such shows as Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, and Rutherford Falls. Additionally, he has worked on shows like The Office, Master of None, The Comeback, and Hacks. He is also the Author of How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question.
In this episode we talk about:
What got him started on the road to reading philosophy and studying ethics
The so-called “trolley problem”
Trusting your gut
Natural states of virtue
The evolutionary advantages of virtue
And how white lies can be beneficial in a complicated and messy society
This interview was recorded in person at the TED conference in April of 2022, where both Michael Schur and Dan Harris spoke.
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
