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.
The Difference Between Ambition and Aspiration
Callard explores the distinction between ambition and aspiration. She explains that ambition involves pursuing specific goals or achievements with a clear outcome in mind. In contrast, aspiration involves a desire to appreciate certain values or ways of life, even without a complete understanding of what those values entail. Aspiration is a process of value learning and expanding one's horizons.
The Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
Callard discusses the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in ambition and aspiration. She explains that while ambition can be driven by intrinsic desires such as wanting money, respect, or power, aspiration focuses on acquiring new motivations and values. Aspiration involves attending to oneself as the future possessor of those values and learning to want the things that align with them.
The Ideal Balance of Ambition and Aspiration
Callard reflects on the balance between ambition and aspiration in our lives. While there may not be a definitive answer, she presents two contrasting visions. One is the Platonic view of infinite aspiration, constantly striving for perfection. The other is the Aristotelian view of reaching a point of contentment and focusing on helping others. Callard suggests that finding the ideal balance between ambition and aspiration requires considering individual values and aspirations, as well as being open to ongoing reevaluation and growth.
Before Agnes Callard was a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, she was on her high school debate team — and she still loves to debate anything and everything. Her work regularly appears in major outlets such as The New York Times, and she was recently profiled in The New Yorker for her radical openness to rethinking her life. Agnes and Adam discuss the difference between ambition and aspiration, the art of thought-provoking conversations, and whether listening or arguing helps you do your best thinking. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode