

Sarah Bakewell
Oct 13, 2016
Join Sarah Bakewell, author of 'At the Existentialist Café' and a Montaigne biographer, as she explores the relevance of existentialism today. The conversation dives into the philosophical depths of writers like Sartre and Camus, highlighting their views on hope and meaning. Bakewell reminisces about childhood literary favorites and how rereading changes with time. She also shares insights on Colin Wilson's influence and recommends compelling works like 'Secondhand Time' by Svetlana Alexievich. It's a rich tapestry of ideas that encourages a fresh look at beloved classics.
51:59
Structure Versus The Individual
- Structuralism reverses existentialism by starting from social structures rather than the individual.
- Existentialism insists the specific person must decide what kind of life to lead despite external forces.
Free Will Needs Both Science And Agency
- Neuroscience and philosophy wrestle over free will with multiple scientific interpretations.
- Bakewell says existentialists balance conditioning with personal responsibility and the sense of freedom needed to function.
Embrace Philosophy's Unfinishedness
- Expect philosophy to complicate problems rather than give final answers.
- Treat philosophical debate as ongoing exploration, not quick closure.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 3min
Why Revisit Existentialism and Free Will
02:48 • 9min
Sartre, Camus and Existentialism's Reception
12:16 • 17min
Childhood Reads and the Joy of Rereading
29:20 • 14min
Influential Writers, Documentaries, and Recommendations
43:32 • 7min
Outro
50:04 • 2min
#
Religion and the Rebel

Colin Wilson
#
Titus Alone


Mervyn Peake
#
Some Total
null

Ray Gosling

#146
• Mentioned in 98 episodes
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance


Robert Pirsig
This classic novel by Robert M. Pirsig is a personal and philosophical odyssey that delves into the author's search for meaning.
The narrative follows a father and his son on a summer motorcycle trip from the Midwest to California, intertwining a travelogue with deep philosophical discussions.
The book explores the concept of 'quality' and how it informs a well-lived life, reconciling science, religion, and humanism.
It also touches on the author's own struggles with his past and his philosophical quest, making it a touching and transcendent exploration of human experience and endeavor.

#1338
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Timothy Leary

#6395
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Secondhand Time
The Last of the Soviets


Svetlana Alexiévich
In 'Secondhand Time', Svetlana Alexievich brings together dozens of voices to create a mosaic of testimonies about the decline of the USSR.
The book charts the period from 1991 to 2012, covering the Yeltsin and Putin decades, and explores the collective trauma and nostalgia of people who found themselves in a world suddenly alien to them.
It delves into themes of suffering, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the Soviet era, presenting a human-centered perspective on historical events without analysis or personal commentary.

#177
• Mentioned in 85 episodes
The outsider

Colin Wilson
In 'The Outsider,' Colin Wilson examines the psyche of the Outsider through the lives and works of various literary and cultural figures such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
The book delves into the Outsider's experience of dislocation and his struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems devoid of it.
Wilson argues that the Outsider is a metaphysical man who seeks a transcending meaning and purpose for human existence, often feeling isolated and disconnected from society.
The book is both a study of the Outsider's predicament and an impassioned call for a new form of existentialism that could provide a satisfying and objective religious understanding of life.
#
Swiss Family Robinson


Johann Wyss
Johann David Wyss's "Swiss Family Robinson" is an adventure novel about a Swiss family shipwrecked on a deserted island.
The story follows the family's resourcefulness and ingenuity as they build a life for themselves in their new environment.
The novel emphasizes themes of family, resilience, and adaptation.
The family's ability to overcome challenges through collaboration and creativity is central to the narrative.
"Swiss Family Robinson" is known for its detailed descriptions of the family's inventions and their interactions with the island's flora and fauna.

#8086
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
At the Existentialist Café
Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails


Sarah Bakewell
This book by Sarah Bakewell delves into the history and philosophy of existentialism, starting with a pivotal moment in 1933 when Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Raymond Aron discussed phenomenology over apricot cocktails.
It explores how this encounter inspired Sartre to integrate phenomenology into his philosophy, leading to the development of existentialism.
The book follows the lives and philosophies of key existentialists, including Heidegger, Husserl, Camus, and Merleau-Ponty, and discusses themes such as freedom, authenticity, absurdity, and the search for meaning.
It also examines the role of existentialism in post-war liberation movements like anti-colonialism, feminism, and gay rights.
Bakewell interweaves biography and philosophy to make complex ideas accessible and engaging for general readers.

#1061
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
The stranger

Albert Camus
Published in 1942, 'The Stranger' tells the story of Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algiers, who is characterized by his emotional detachment and apathy.
The novel begins with Meursault's indifferent reaction to his mother's death and follows his journey through a series of events, including a senseless murder, which leads to his trial and sentencing.
Camus uses Meursault's story to illustrate his philosophy of the absurd, highlighting the lack of inherent meaning in life and the importance of accepting and living with this reality.
The novel also explores the tensions between French colonialists and native Algerians, reflecting Camus's own experiences and critiques of colonialism.

#4026
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Glass Bead Game


Richard Winston


Herman Hesse


Clara Winston


Theodore Ziolkowski
The novel centers around Joseph Knecht, who is brought to Castalia as a child and eventually becomes the Magister Ludi, the master of the Glass Bead Game.
The game itself is a complex synthesis of human ideas, involving music, mathematics, philosophy, and other disciplines.
The story delves into Knecht's struggles with the intellectual isolation of Castalia and his eventual decision to leave the order to engage with the outside world.
The book explores themes of meaning, purpose, and the tension between intellectual pursuits and real-world experiences, reflecting Hesse's own experiences during World War II and his opposition to Nazi ideology.

#20318
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Demian
The Story of a Boyhood


Herman Hesse
Demian is a bildungsroman by Hermann Hesse, first published in 1919.
The novel follows Emil Sinclair, a young boy navigating the complexities of his inner world and the duality of human existence.
Under the influence of Max Demian, Sinclair begins to question the values and beliefs instilled in him by his family and society.
He delves into themes of spiritual enlightenment, embracing the unity of good and evil, and the process of Jungian individuation.
The novel is a profound exploration of Sinclair's search for self-identity and his eventual realization that true freedom and happiness can only be found by acknowledging and integrating all aspects of himself.

#86
• Mentioned in 136 episodes
The great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan.
The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.

#4964
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Steppenwolf


Herman Hesse
Steppenwolf, written by Hermann Hesse, is a deeply philosophical and psychological novel that follows the life of Harry Haller, a 48-year-old man who identifies himself as a 'Steppenwolf,' feeling half-human and half-wolf.
The novel delves into Harry's inner turmoil as he struggles to reconcile his intellectual and artistic side with his more primal, wolfish nature.
Through his interactions with characters like Hermine, Pablo, and Maria, Harry is forced to confront his own dualism and the societal conventions he despises.
The novel is known for its complex exploration of the human condition, incorporating elements of Eastern mysticism and Western culture, and culminates in a surreal and symbolic journey through the 'Magic Theater' where Harry's multiple selves are explored.

#23112
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Montaigne


Stefan Zweig
This biography by Stefan Zweig delves into the life and philosophy of Michel de Montaigne, a Renaissance French statesman and philosopher.
Zweig, who was living in exile in Brazil during World War II, found solace in Montaigne's writings and drew parallels between Montaigne's turbulent times and his own.
The book discusses Montaigne's unique upbringing, his public life, and his retreat to a tower to write his famous 'Essais'.
Zweig admires Montaigne's commitment to individual freedom and his ability to maintain his moral and spiritual independence in the face of societal chaos.
The biography is as much about Montaigne as it is about Zweig's own reflections on freedom, tolerance, and the human condition during times of turmoil.

#1979
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
The magic mountain


Thomas Mann
The Magic Mountain is a novel by Thomas Mann, published in 1924.
It follows the story of Hans Castorp, a young man from a Hamburg merchant family, who visits his tubercular cousin Joachim at a sanatorium in Davos, Switzerland.
Initially planning to stay for three weeks, Castorp ends up staying for seven years, immersing himself in the unique world of the sanatorium.
The novel delves into themes of time, illness, and the intellectual and philosophical debates of the pre-World War I era.
It is a parable of Europe before the Great War and a prophecy of the future, highlighting the decline of European civilization and the rise of irrational and destructive forces.
The narrative is characterized by Mann's ironic and omniscient storytelling, exploring the human condition through Castorp's experiences and the diverse characters he encounters at the sanatorium.
#11410
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The self illusion
None


Bruce Hood

#3619
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Nausea

Jean-Paul Sartre
Published in 1938, 'Nausea' is Jean-Paul Sartre's first novel and a seminal work in existentialist literature.
The story follows Antoine Roquentin, a solitary historian living in the fictional town of Bouville, as he experiences intense feelings of nausea and existential crisis.
Through Roquentin's diary entries, Sartre delves into themes such as the contingency of existence, the distinction between 'being-in-itself' and 'being-for-itself,' and the idea that 'existence precedes essence.
' Roquentin's struggles with his research on the Marquis de Rollebon and his interactions with people around him highlight the absurdity and randomness of the world, leading him to confront the bare existence of things and the meaninglessness of human existence.
The novel is a profound exploration of existential angst, freedom, and responsibility.
Philosophical discussion abounds this week as Robin and Josie are joined by author of, amongst many great books, ‘At the Existentialist Café’, Sarah Bakewell. They wander through the work of Bertrand Russell, Albert Camus, Mervyn Peake and many more besides before arriving at the conclusion that basically we should just all reread ‘The Great Gatsby’ more often than we do.