The Art of Growth From Attention to Agency
Jun 30, 2025
Jeff Cook, a philosophy professor and co-host of the Around the Circle podcast, delves into the nuances of attention and agency. He discusses the tension between personal desires and societal expectations, sharing insights on how distinct Enneagram types influence our perceptions of freedom. The conversation explores philosophical ideas about free will, along with practical advice on interrupting compulsive behaviors. Finally, Jeff emphasizes the importance of self-work to cultivate trustworthy desires that allow for genuine contribution to others.
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Attention Is The Currency Of Freedom
- Freedom depends on mastering the direction of your attention rather than absolute metaphysical freedom.
- If others commandeer your attention they can direct your will and agency for their purposes.
You Can Act Freely But Not Choose Your Wants
- You can act freely on your wants but you cannot always choose your wants, echoing compatibilist ideas.
- Enneagram highlights those primal wants that shape what you will choose to do.
Freedom Feels Like A Condemnation
- Sartre's point: humans are "condemned to be free" because freedom brings unavoidable responsibility.
- Many outsource that burden and live in bad faith by embracing others' wills.
