Academia and many professions push individuals to focus solely on achieving goals like getting a Ph.D., obtaining tenure, publishing articles, teaching classes, and applying for grants. This intense focus on specific tasks can lead to losing sight of the true purpose, which is engaging in the core activity itself. It's crucial to remember that the essence of all these projects is to actively participate in the field and reflect on its fundamental questions. There is a risk of becoming so immersed in project-oriented tasks that the joy, meaning, and significance of the daily experiences are overshadowed. It is essential to balance the focus on goals with appreciating and savoring the important, meaningful, and joyful aspects of the journey.
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.