Philosophy & Great Books
Stoicism, ethics, classic books, political philosophy, consciousness and AI, and the art of living.
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This reading list brings together items from the sources selected for Philosophy & Great Books. Open each item at its original source for the complete article, episode or video. This is a selection of current coverage, not a complete archive.
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Why Every Couple Struggles With Closeness and Distance
In every relationship, a deep tension exists between two contrasting needs: the desire for complete togetherness and the vital necessity of separatedness. We want to merge, yet we also need our own space to think, work, and stay intact. Start your free Membership trial – 2,000+ articles, 1,000+ videos, 50+ courses, free for a week: https://www.theschooloflife.com/membership When couples run into trouble, it is often because these dual forces—like a car's accelerator and brake—are out of sync, leading to panic, distance, or acting out. In this film, we explore how to master the art of moving between closeness and autonomy without derailing the car of love. "In the life of every couple, and individual, lies a tension between two central and contrasting needs: the need for ‘togetherness’ on the one hand, for ‘separatedness’ on the other. We all want, at one level, a lot of togetherness. We want to merge bodies, to sleep tightly entwined, to share every moment, to break down the barrier between I and you: to get back to what we all had at the start, complete union with someone else..." 📖 Go deeper – read the full article (Members get full access): https://www.theschooloflife.com/article/the-challenge-of-separatedness-and-togetherness/ ✉️ Weekly Lessons + 10% off your first order: https://www.theschooloflife.com/signup OUR COLLECTIONS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpcEwc0qydf2jSszQFSht81E https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpckOvZZ_AZjD7WM2p9-6NBv https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpeUL1vz9Su7OmeghBDgmj7X https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpeypJMHfNbJ4RAFkRtmAN3P https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpcpxBm1RoGRx4mVKNRIrKkG https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28Xmpcp7jXVszdNruKUtHZ2zuZb https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28Xmpfv2COuuJaKzy6E2n8nSMdi https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28Xmpc1qCJ6RYYh4rKNOOlKtFIK SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesch
How the West was fun
Be it movie mythos or nostalgia for a ‘simpler’ time, there’s an undeniable allure in stepping into the American West - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
How to Think About Lindsay Clancy
In this episode, I take on the Lindsay Clancy case, but not to tell you what you should think about her. Instead, I use this extraordinarily difficult case to explore how a Stoic should think when confronted with terrible acts, mental illness, questions of responsibility, and our very human desire for punishment.
Toadstools and toxins
When I found the mushroom Amanita muscaria being sold in candy wrappers, I uncovered legal loopholes, dangerous dosages and more - by Eric Leas Read on Aeon
Sound guardians
As Indonesia builds a new capital city, the race is on to preserve the sounds of the rainforest before they vanish forever - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
He was probably right
Cicero’s life and thought are a testament to the idea of probabilia: we should be confident in our beliefs, but never certain - by Massimo Pigliucci Read on Aeon
Cosmic amnesia
A black hole rings like a struck bell, then settles into silence, forgetting almost everything about its history. Why? - by Richard Dyer Read on Aeon
Animal eye
Probing the biology, beauty and mystery of animal eyes, this short poetic documentary explores an alien world - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
Who will taste the cherries?
The computist has one dream: to debug the subjectivity out of all of human knowledge, creating a pure, frictionless world - by Liam Spradlin Read on Aeon
Why Heartbroken People Make the Best Lovers
When we hear a tragic dating story about an ex who betrayed or abandoned someone, our immediate reaction is pure sympathy. But there is another thought that should quietly cross our minds: this might be one of the most promising things we could ever learn about a potential partner. Start your free Membership trial – 2,000+ articles, 1,000+ videos, 50+ courses, free for a week: https://www.theschooloflife.com/membership While we rarely learn how to love from only being loved well, true heartbreak teaches us deep gratitude, responsibility, and the true value of kindness. In this film, we explore why people who have survived the journey through heartbreak often make the most understanding, attentive, and resilient partners. "When you are looking out for a partner: try to look for one who has had their heart very badly broken by one or even better two or three exes… Imagine you are on a date across the table from someone with a truly tragic story to tell. Their ex pursued them intensely for a year, proposed after six months, bought a house with them and spoke excitedly about children. Then it emerged that, from the very beginning, there had been another family..." 📖 Go deeper – read the full article (Members get full access): https://www.theschooloflife.com/article/why-heartbroken-people-make-the-best-lovers/ ✉️ Weekly Lessons + 10% off your first order: https://www.theschooloflife.com/signup OUR COLLECTIONS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpcEwc0qydf2jSszQFSht81E https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpckOvZZ_AZjD7WM2p9-6NBv https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpeUL1vz9Su7OmeghBDgmj7X https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpeypJMHfNbJ4RAFkRtmAN3P https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpcpxBm1RoGRx4mVKNRIrKkG https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28Xmpcp7jXVszdNruKUtHZ2zuZb https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28Xmpfv2COuuJaKzy6E2n8nSMdi https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwx
The meaning of fake marble
From ancient Roman frescoes to modern kitchen benchtops, our desire to recreate marble is about more than cutting costs - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
Chasing la dolce vita
Homecomings, fantasies, food and ghosts – how the myth of eternal return keeps the Italian diaspora in a state of longing - by Ben Faccini Read on Aeon
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