If only we all learned to think more we might solve the problems of the world. This is a thesis British philosopher A.C. Grayling has devoted much of his life to via his 40-odd books, the philosophy college he founded in London and his engagement in global debates on euthanasia, the existence God, Brexit and beyond. In his latest book, For the Good of the World, he applies it to the challenge of achieving global agreement to solve the various global catastrophes we have created.
In this fun chat we talk “Graylings Law”, the “hard problem” of consciousness and why tech bros and young men love stoicism; I present him with the ethical quandary of putting lentils in SUV tyre valves as an act of global good; and he shows us how to develop our own life philosophy…by loving, engaging in and wrestling with thinking. He also leaves us with some wild quotes and reads and wisdoms with which to start the process.
Purchase your copy of For the Good of the World: Is a Universal Ethics Possible
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AMA: Why does hiking “work”?
MAGGIE DENT: What to do about boys (‘cos you asked)
AMA: Why are girls flocking Left and boys are flopping Right?
CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN: Exposing the Ultra-Processed Food Trap
AMA: Do you regret not having kids?
ALAIN DE BOTTON: A philosophical fix for anxiety
BEST OF: BEAU MILES: How to be a backyard adventurer
BEST OF: TIM BROWN: Sarah’s interview with her meditation teacher
BEST OF: JULIA CAMERON: How to live the artist's way
BEST OF: AZIZ ABU SARAH: A radical Palestinian peace broker on how to solve wicked conflicts
BEST OF: BAYO AKOMOLAFE: The times are urgent, let’s slow down and become a fugitive
BEST OF: DAN BUETTNER: Sarah chats with her friend about all things Blue Zones
DAVID BROOKS: How to be humanist in cruel times
BONUS EPISODE: A Life More Wild
HANNAH BARNES: We need to think through the transgender kids debate
AMA: How should I (ethically) do a massive clean-out (to "Kondo" or to "Wilson”)?
CONNOR BEATON: The confronting reason why men watch porn
AMA: My climate activist son needs your help!
PAUL HAWKEN: We’re ending the climate crisis in one generation
BONUS EP: Sarah + Oliver Burkeman chatting on Intelligence Squared
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