In this engaging conversation, philosopher Skye Cleary, author of "How to Be Authentic," explores the nuances of authenticity through the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir. She discusses how authenticity is an ongoing journey of self-creation, rather than a static identity. Skye highlights the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom, particularly in love and relationships. She also delves into the evolution of gender roles and the importance of emotional freedom, making a case for egalitarian partnerships that nurture individuality.
51:45
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Authenticity as Creation
Authenticity means creating your own essence, not finding a fixed self.
It's a continuous process of self-creation and renewal, not a destination.
insights INSIGHT
Continuous Becoming
We are always becoming, always growing beyond our current selves.
This continuous self-creation is a defining characteristic of being human.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cleary's Bad Faith
Skye Cleary felt societal pressure to conform to roles, leading to misery.
Discovering existentialism helped her realize she wasn't creating her own life.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Inseparable is a deeply personal and vivid portrayal of female friendship and coming-of-age in a society dominated by strict social norms. The novel follows Sylvie and Andrée as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a world that restricts women's choices and desires. Written in 1954, it remained unpublished until 2021 and offers a unique insight into Beauvoir's formative experiences and philosophical development.
How to Be Authentic
Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment
Skye Cleary
This book delves into Simone de Beauvoir's existentialist philosophy, where authenticity is not about discovering a true self but creating one through self-renewal and diverse life paths. Skye C. Cleary examines major life relationships and milestones, showing how Beauvoir's ideas can help individuals live purposefully and responsibly. The book challenges readers to become 'poets of their own lives' by embracing freedom and responsibility.
Existentialism Is a Humanism
Jean-Paul Sartre
In this work, Sartre argues that existentialism is an optimistic and action-oriented philosophy that centers on moral responsibility and human interconnections. He posits that 'existence precedes essence,' meaning humans are not defined by a pre-existing essence but by their choices and actions. Sartre addresses criticisms of existentialism, arguing that it is not pessimistic but rather liberating, as it grounds human values and moral aims in human subjectivity itself. He differentiates his existential humanism from other forms of humanism, emphasizing that humans are constantly in the process of creating their own values and purposes without relying on divine or external mandates[2][4][5].
The Second Sex
Simone de Beauvoir
In 'The Second Sex', Simone de Beauvoir delves into the concept of feminism by examining historical facts, biological differences, psychoanalytic theories, and societal myths that have led to the subjugation of women. The book is divided into two volumes: 'Facts and Myths' and 'Lived Experience'. Beauvoir argues that women are not inherently inferior but are made so by societal constructs and historical injustices. She critiques the notion that women are defined as 'The Other' in relation to men, emphasizing that this distinction denies women their humanity and autonomy. The book explores various stages of a woman's life, from childhood to old age, highlighting how societal forces condition women into accepting passive and dependent roles. Beauvoir advocates for women's equality and autonomy, particularly through economic independence and the ability to support themselves through work.
Symposium
Plato
The Symposium is a philosophical dialogue written by Plato around 370 BCE. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable Athenian men, including Socrates, Alcibiades, and Aristophanes, in praise of Eros, the god of love. The dialogue is structured as a series of speeches, each developing the ideas of the previous one, and culminates in Socrates' speech, which recounts his conversation with the wise woman Diotima. The work explores various aspects of love, including its benefits, its connection to philosophy, and its role in human happiness. The setting is a banquet at the house of the tragedian Agathon, where the men engage in drinking and conversation, leading to heartfelt and noble speeches about love[1][2][5].
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter
Simone de Beauvoir
Dans *Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée*, Simone de Beauvoir raconte son enfance et son adolescence, décrivant son éveil à l'individualité et sa résistance aux normes bourgeoises et catholiques. Le livre met en scène son amitié avec Zaza, qui incarne les tragédies que peuvent subir les filles soumises aux conventions sociales.
Sean Illing talks with Skye Cleary, philosopher and author of the new book How to Be Authentic. The book is an examination of how to live an authentic life through the lens of the life and thought of the great French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986). Sean and Skye discuss what authenticity really means — and how it's often a misused term today, why we should resist performing roles predetermined for us by society, and how to have a truly intimate relationship without surrendering yourself — or your freedom.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
