Kieran Setiya believes philosophy should solve puzzles and provide therapy to make us more at home in the world, shaping his perspectives through his temperament.
Kieran Setiya's evolving perspective on philosophy includes considering descriptive and personal approaches as legitimate and valuable, expanding the scope of philosophy for a more holistic view.
Deep dives
The Influence of Temperament on Philosophy
Kieran Setia, a philosophy professor at MIT, discusses how his temperament influences his philosophical thinking. He describes himself as timid, cautious, and averse to radical views, preferring compromise and seeing truth in both sides of a dispute. He believes philosophy should solve puzzles and provide therapy that makes us more at home in the world. While he acknowledges contradictions in his temperament, such as being resolute yet conflict-averse, he explains how these aspects shape his philosophical perspectives. He also reflects on how temperament can influence philosophical thinking and whether it is a good or concerning phenomenon.
Expanding the Scope of Philosophy
Kieran Setia shares his evolving perspective on what philosophy can be. Previously, he viewed more descriptive and personal approaches as distinct from philosophy, but now he considers them legitimate and valuable. He mentions Iris Murdoch's influence and how expanding the scope of philosophy to include descriptive work, conceptual innovation, and understanding experience can provide a more holistic view. Despite this shift, he appreciates the importance of abstract, theoretical work in philosophy, especially in metaphysics and epistemology. Setia suggests that philosophy should aspire to offer life guidance and how this expanded view can enhance our understanding of philosophy as a form of inquiry.
Philosophy and Practical Emotions
The conversation dives into how philosophy can help individuals navigate practical or emotional difficulties. Kieran Setia shares his personal experiences with how philosophy has influenced his own midlife crisis and coping with chronic pain. He discusses how philosophizing about these challenges, even if not producing direct solutions, can be consoling and provide consolation for others. Zina Hitts raises questions about whether philosophical deliberation can prevent settling into beliefs someone already holds, and Setia explores the idea that philosophical reflection on the good life should start by reflecting on the bad. He also examines the complexities of the relationship between temperament, philosophy, and the social aspect of philosophy.
The Fear of Death in Philosophy
Kieran Setia reveals his personal fear of death and its impact on his philosophical thinking. He acknowledges how this fear differs from other fears, feeling singular and elusive in terms of finding a philosophical response. Setia shares the idea of writing a book about death and not considering it finished until he is no longer afraid to die. However, he expresses uncertainty about whether this fear is telling him something true about the world or if it is a distorted perspective. The conversation touches on Iris Murdoch's assertion that understanding a philosopher's fears can reveal insights about their work and the potential influence of fear on one's philosophy.
The philosopher Zena Hitz asks me five questions about myself.
Zena Hitz is a Tutor at St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, and the author of "Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life" (2020).
Kieran Setiya is a Professor of Philosophy at MIT. He is the author of “Midlife: A Philosophical Guide” (2017) and “Life is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way” (2022)—now available in bookstores!
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