James Hibbard, former professional cyclist and philosophy PhD, discusses his journey as an athlete, the connection between cycling and philosophy, and how elite sport prepares you for life.
Cycling provides a way to connect with the body and experience embodiment beyond rational thinking and language.
Embracing Friedrich Nietzsche's ideas can counteract the abstract and detached nature of modern life, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
Deep dives
The Value of Cycling and Embodiment
James Hibbard, a former professional cyclist, discusses the importance of cycling as a way to connect with one's body and experience a sense of embodiment. He shares how cycling helped him realize that there are aspects of life that are beyond rational thinking and cannot be fully captured or articulated in language. Hibbard emphasizes the value of engaging in something without expecting any specific result or achievement, highlighting the importance of engaging with our bodily existence in the world.
Nietzsche's Relevance in the Modern World
Hibbard identifies Friedrich Nietzsche as a philosopher who was ahead of his time in understanding the spiritual loss caused by diminishing religious beliefs and the growing influence of scientific knowledge. He believes that Nietzsche would have acknowledged the potential for technology, but also expressed skepticism towards the herd mentality and the interchangeability of knowledge. Hibbard suggests that embracing Nietzsche's ideas can help counteract the abstract and detached nature of modern life, encouraging a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
Embracing Care and Non-Achievement
Drawing from philosophy and his own experiences, Hibbard explores the concept of care as a valuable aspect of human existence that is often overlooked in a productivity-driven society. He urges listeners to engage in activities that prioritize care and non-achievement, emphasizing the importance of doing something for the sake of doing it without expecting any specific outcome. This approach allows individuals to move away from the pressure to constantly produce and instead focus on developing a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.
James Hamilton Hibbard is a Northern California-based writer and former professional cyclist who studied philosophy at the PhD-level.
His philosophical memoir, THE ART OF CYCLING: Philosophy, Meaning, and a Life on Two Wheels (Quercus/ Hachette Australia), explores questions of embodiment and meaning in our increasingly detached and virtual society, and was shortlisted for The Sunday Times 2022 British Sports Book of the Year, Cycling.
In this conversation we discuss:
- His journey as a professional athlete
- His views on the history of philosophy and the guidance that it brings
- How his experience cycling has helped him to understand philosophy better
- How elite sport prepares you for life
A former UCI professional road cyclist with the Shaklee and HealthNet teams, and member of the United States National Team, James has written extensively on the sport of cycling for outlets including velonews.com and cyclingnews.com and has been selected for writing residencies and received grants from Tin House and PEN America.
James is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz and worked on his Ph.D in philosophy at DePaul University.