Worklife with Adam Grant cover image

Worklife with Adam Grant

Ambition vs. aspiration with philosopher Agnes Callard

Jun 13, 2023
Agnes Callard, a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, dives into the nuanced differences between ambition and aspiration. She unpacks how ambition drives goal-oriented actions, while aspiration fosters a desire for deeper understanding. Callard also explores the art of conversation, revealing how one-on-one dialogues can enhance engagement compared to larger group discussions. Furthermore, she highlights the importance of questioning our beliefs and emphasizes the role of open-minded dialogue in personal growth.
33:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Questioning our assumptions and engaging in conversations can refine our thinking and open our minds to new ideas.
  • Ambition involves pursuing specific goals, while aspiration focuses on value learning and expanding one's horizons.

Deep dives

The Importance of Rethinking and Questioning Assumptions

Agnes Callard, a philosopher at the University of Chicago, discusses the importance of rethinking and questioning our assumptions. She emphasizes that our thoughts and beliefs should not be treated as fixed gospel, but rather as hypotheses to be tested. By engaging in conversations and seeking out objections or alternative perspectives, we can refine our thinking and open our minds to new ideas.

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