We don't often think of work when we think of Henry David Thoreau. We think of Thoreau living with his family, or loafing around at a cabin at Walden, and mostly spending his days walking and enjoying nature. We know he did some writing, sure, but often think of him as being largely the abstract thinker type.But Thoreau was a man of much practical skill, who lived a life of both thought and action. He did lots of kinds of work — from carpentry to surveying to helping raise Ralph Waldo Emerson's kids — and thought a lot about the nature of work, both the paid variety and the kind that's necessary for simply sustaining day-to-day life. Today on the show, John Kaag, a professor of philosophy and the co-author of Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living, shares some of Thoreau's insights on work with us. We discuss what Thoreau can teach us about the value of resignation, the importance of continuing to work with your hands to maintain what Thoreau called your "vital heat," what makes for meaningful work, and the trap of working in bad faith. We end our conversation with a call to consider what you're really being paid for in your job and the true cost of the things you buy.Resources Related to the PodcastJohn's previous appearances on the AoM podcast:AoM Podcast #480: Hiking With NietzscheAoM Podcast #576: A Treasure Trove of American PhilosophyWalden by Henry David ThoreauEmerson's eulogy for ThoreauAoM Article: How to REALLY Avoid Living a Life of Quiet DesperationSunday Firesides: The Cost of a ThingShop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work by Matthew B. CrawfordConnect With John KaagJohn's faculty page

John Kaag is a renowned philosopher and author who brings fresh insights into the timeless wisdom of Henry David Thoreau. With impressive academic achievements under his belt, including teaching writing at Harvard and serving as a professor at UMass Lowell, John possesses a unique perspective on Thoreau’s philosophy regarding work and intentional living. Drawing inspiration from his own life’s journey and the challenges of balancing personal fulfillment with professional obligations, John invites us to explore new ways of finding meaning and purpose in their work. In this episode, you will be able to: Explore how seeking purpose and meaning in your work enhances overall fulfillment Learn from Thoreau’s ideals on the balance between work, personal development, and conscious living Shift your relationship with work by placing emphasis on your core values and beliefs Embrace a simpler lifestyle that fosters a sense of satisfaction unencumbered by material expectations Engage in continuous self-discovery to refine your values and manifest a rich, authentic life. To learn more, click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher, poet, and pencil-maker. He was a great resigner and, above all, a superb writer whose masterpiece, "Walden," is considered by many to be America's first environmentalist manifesto.But John Kaag has a different view."Thoreau's attempt to 'get back to nature,'" he and co-author Jonathan Van Belle write in their new book, "Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living," was an "attempt to get away from the capitalist rat race." By resigning from that race, Thoreau was, in a sense, reclaiming life—he was making a conscious choice about what to respect and where to tap meaning. "The abiding message of 'Walden,'" according to John and Jonathan, is that "the frenetic busyness of modern life should never be confused with the essential business of living."Today on the show, John Kaag and our producer Caleb Bissinger explore Thoreau's life and career, and they come away with surprising lessons about why we work and how we can make it more meaningful—how we can, in Thoreau's words, "live deliberately."If you have questions, comments, or ideas for future guests, email us at podcast@nextbigideaclub.comGuest: John KaagBook: "Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living"Host: Caleb BissingerThe Next Big Idea is produced in partnership with LinkedIn Presents

Today we welcome John Kaag, the Chair and Professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He received his Masters in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oregon. His writing has been published in The Paris Review, The New York Times, and Harper’s Magazine. He is the author of Hiking with Nietzsche, American Philosophy: A Love Story, and his most recent book is Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life.In this episode, my conversation with John Kaag revolves around the existential question we’ve all had: is life worth living? John expounds on William James’ answer of “maybe”. He shares about his near-death experience and how vulnerable moments in his life have led him to a more nuanced understanding of philosophy. We also touch on the topics of metaphysics, determinism, suffering, religion, and transcendence. Website: johnkaag.comTwitter: @JohnKaag Topics03:53 Existential anxiety, fear, freedom08:50 Is life worth living? 11:14 Seizing control over existence14:23 Metaphysical chance is real17:36 The unseen order and human blindness25:43 “Living unnecessarily near our surface”30:18 Pragmatism, zest, authenticity33:26 Resignation or hope in the face of mortality 38:10 Dissolution of the self42:26 Spiritual narcissism44:24 Companions in misery49:28 Melancholy among philosophers52:13 Life is for living 53:41 The loving cupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Kaag, an expert on Henry David Thoreau's life and work, discusses Thoreau's critique of modern work, the connection between Bartleby the Scrivener and Thoreau's philosophy of nonconformity, the relationship between work and subjugation, and Henry's reflections on life and writing.