Wisdom for Life

In this tenth episode of the Wisdom for Life radio show, hosts Dan Hayes and Greg Sadler examine a common matter in everyday life – lying. What is a lie, and what counts as “lying”?  Can lying ever be something good, right, required, or even just all right?

They discuss different ways we can classify and understand lies, including the distinction between white, black, and blue lies.  Moral theories help us to understand and evaluate the rightness or wrongness of lies – and why they are right or wrong, good or bad – and they examine lying through the rigorous deontological lens of Immanuel Kant, and the more forgiving utilitarian lens of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

They also examine a common issue that frequently arises.  What about people who embellish stories?  Are they lying?  And is that embellishment morally bad, or is it something that contributes to enjoyable communication

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice designed to help people develop an understanding of what kinds of lies or deception they engage in, and why they do it, so they can make better choices about these matters 

They discuss how differing philosophical and wisdom traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, and Utilitarianism have used this image, and developed practices designed to help us develop attitudes of justice and benevolence towards other beyond the circles we most typically focus upon.

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice derived from several schools of Buddhism, Metta or “loving-kindness” meditation, which employs the conception of circles.

They also examine a representative question about a problematic relationship in which one partner does not respect the other’s autonomy.

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice centered on effectively communicating what one needs from one’s partner.

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)

In this sixth episode of the Wisdom for Life radio show, hosts Dan Hayes and Greg Sadler use insights from philosophy to discuss what resiliency is, why it is important to develop it, why it is good for us and others, and how we can approach it.  Bringing in ideas and approaches from Stoic philosophy and contemporary psychology and leadership, they flesh out this concept.

They also examine a common question:  What should you do when people you’re connected with haven’t developed resiliency?  Should you try to shield them from difficulties and challenges, try to help them develop resiliency, or cut them loose?

They end the show by revisiting a useful philosophical practice, “Negative Visualization” and they provide examples and applications of that practice.

Show Music is by Scott Tarulli

In this fifth episode of the Wisdom for Life radio show, hosts Dan Hayes and Greg Sadler use insights from philosophy to discuss features of good and bad relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, collaborative partnerships, and familial relationships.  How much should we demand or expect from those we are in relationships with?  Drawing upon ideas from Aristotle, Epictetus, Seneca, Cicero, Rilke, and other philosophers they explore what makes relationships good or bad, and what partners can and should expect from one another.

They also examine a case of a problematic relationship, marked by conflicts over differences in wages and earnings between the partners, and they discuss some of the more general features of these sorts of situations, and how partners can avoid those sorts of conflicts and tensions.

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice, “Speaking Without Judging” (drawn from Epictetus’ book, the Enchiridion) and they provide examples and applications of that practice.

Show Music is by Scott Tarulli

In this fourth episode of the Wisdom for Life radio show, hosts Dan Hayes and Greg Sadler use insights from philosophy to discuss why setting and maintaining boundaries is important, in personal relationships, in the workplace, and with neighbors.  Drawing upon ideas from Aristotle, Epictetus, Seneca, Cicero, and other philosophers they explain how to set boundaries, why boundaries are important, and common misconceptions people often have about them.

They also address some issues arising in the present, dealing with not just psychological or relationship boundaries, but physical ones, bearing on social distancing, isolation, and quarantine.

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice, “Practicing Virtue Here and Now” (drawn from Epictetus’ book, the Enchiridion) and they provide examples and applications of that practice.

Show Music is by Scott Tarulli

In this third episode of the Wisdom for Life radio show, hosts Dan Hayes and Greg Sadler use insights from philosophy to discuss what is genuinely good as opposed to merely appearing to be good, and what is genuinely bad as opposed to merely appearing to be bad. They also discuss how to prioritize between the better and the less good, the worse and the less bad, and common reasons people get mixed up about these matters.

they also discuss several rival conceptions of what is good, bad, and indifferent, particularly those developed my Stoic and Aristotelian philosophy.

They answer a contributed question “after being quarantined, has anyone discovered they have actually been an introvert this whole time?” and dialogue about what introverts and extroverts find good or bad.

They end the show by introducing a very helpful philosophical practice, “dealing with appearances or impressions through pause and examination”, found in several different philosophical traditions, and provide examples and applications of that practice.