Origins and Resurgence of the Mid-Life Crisis Concept

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The mid-life crisis concept regained popularity in the late 2000s to early 2010s through longitudinal studies showing a U-shaped pattern in life satisfaction. This pattern indicates that life satisfaction starts high in youth, hits a low point in the forties, and then rises again in older age. The drop in life satisfaction during mid-life is comparable to the impact of losing a job or getting a divorce, highlighting a period of unique challenges and discontent known as mid-life malaise.

John Stuart Mill's midlife crisis came at 20 when he realized that if he got what he desired he still wouldn't be happy. Art and poetry (and maybe love) saved the day for him. In this week's episode, philosopher Kieran Setiya of MIT talks about his book Midlife with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Setiya argues we can learn from Mill to help deal with the ennui to which so many midlifers succumb--along with regrets for roads not taken and wistfulness for what could have been. Setiya argues that a well-lived life needs fewer projects and more pursuits that don't have goals or endpoints. He explains why past mistakes can turn out to be good things and how lost chances can help us appreciate the richness of life.