They discuss Stockdale’s advice and how it can be applied in everyday life, why people find it paradoxical, and how hope could be a rational response. They also bring in useful insights from psychologist Victor Frankl, existentialist Gabriel Marcel, and pragmatist William James.
They also examine a seeming challenge to Stockdale’s point of view, framed by Chuck Chakrapani: “My observation has been that true optimists ignore it if their predictions don’t pan out. They seem to revise their predictions to suit their optimism”. Dan and Greg discuss why undue and reality-denying optimism doesn’t work in the long run.
They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice, “WOOP” (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan)
Being Caught In The Gaze
Stoicism, Concern, and Care
AITA Cases Revisited
Truth, Society and The Marketplace of Ideas
The Topic of Truth Take Two
The Meaning of Truth
Memory and Truth
Studying Philosophy Outside of Academia
Stoicism, Pain, Mental Health, and Lived Philosophy (featuring special guest Matt Van Natta)
Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - Stoic Ideas and Practices
Living a Meaningful Life
One Year In To The Show
Philosophy As A Way Of Life (With John Sellars)
AITA Posts As Everyday Moral Dilemmas
Asymmetric Knowledge Problems
The Paradox of Choice
Doing Well in a Polarized Society
Professional Sports, Fandom, and A Rational Life
The Season of Stoicism
What Else We Can Learn From Thought Experiments
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