EconTalk

Kieran Setiya on Midlife

Sep 19, 2022

Kieran Setiya, a philosopher at MIT and host of the podcast Five Questions, dives into the complexities of midlife. He shares insights drawn from his book, emphasizing that a fulfilling life relies more on pursuing enriching experiences than chasing goals. Setiya discusses how John Stuart Mill faced his midlife crisis at a young age and argues that regrets can transform into opportunities for growth. He encourages listeners to appreciate the present, engage in meaningful conversations, and embrace mortality as a pathway to a richer life.

01:39:49

Creator website

Episode guests

Kieran Setiya

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Focus on the Process, Not Just the End Result

01:30

Distinguishing between Telic and Atelic Activities

01:15

Origins and Resurgence of the Mid-Life Crisis Concept

00:53

Avoid the Pitfall of Maximization

01:17

Intro

3min

Navigating Midlife: Happiness and Fulfillment

25min

The Value of Meaningful Conversations

3min

Navigating Midlife: Emotions and Expectations

12min

The Complexities of Altruism

7min

Navigating Regret and Choices

26min

Confronting Mortality: Philosophical Reflections on Death

15min

Living with Mortality

9min

John Stuart Mill's midlife crisis came at 20 when he realized that if he got what he desired he still wouldn't be happy. Art and poetry (and maybe love) saved the day for him. In this week's episode, philosopher Kieran Setiya of MIT talks about his book Midlife with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Setiya argues we can learn from Mill to help deal with the ennui to which so many midlifers succumb--along with regrets for roads not taken and wistfulness for what could have been. Setiya argues that a well-lived life needs fewer projects and more pursuits that don't have goals or endpoints. He explains why past mistakes can turn out to be good things and how lost chances can help us appreciate the richness of life.

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