Wandering Thoughts

In this episode, Professor Jeff Greenberg and I explore Terror Management Theory, the fear of death, and how our awareness of mortality influences human behaviour. Beginning with the work of Ernest Becker, Professor Greenberg explains how cultural worldviews, self-esteem, religion, and the pursuit of symbolic & literal immortality help us manage death anxiety and find meaning in life. We then discuss how these psychological defences can contribute to prejudice, ideological conflict, and extremism, while also motivating constructive achievements and relationships. Building on this, we explore existential isolation, love, psychological security, and the tension between accepting reality and maintaining beliefs that protect our well-being. Professor Greenberg also explains the experimental research behind Terror Management Theory, including the concept of mortality salience and how reminders of death influence our attitudes and behaviour. Finally, we discuss psychedelic experiences, social media, misinformation, and political polarisation, before considering whether we can genuinely accept our mortality and how to live a meaningful and purposeful life despite knowing that we will die.

In this episode, Dr. John Sellars and I explore Stoicism, its origins in ancient Greece, and its development as both a philosophical system and a practical guide to living well. We begin by discussing its central teachings, including the relationship between logic, physics, and ethics, before addressing common misconceptions about Stoic emotions and how our judgements shape our responses to everyday experiences. Building on this, we explore practical Stoic exercises, the distinction between what is and is not up to us, and the importance of developing a virtuous character. We then examine the Stoic understanding of happiness and flourishing, including whether it is possible to live a good life despite suffering, and compare these ideas with Aristotle and Epicureanism. Finally, we discuss modern Stoicism, its limitations, and how Stoic philosophy approaches grief, mortality, and coming to terms with death.

In this episode, Professor Angie Hobbs and I explore Plato’s philosophy, heroism, celebrity, love, friendship, art, censorship, and the relevance of ancient Greek philosophy to modern life. Continuing our previous conversation on her book *Why Plato Matters Now* , we discuss how ideas of heroism have changed since ancient Greece, why we look up to particular individuals, and what our admiration of celebrities, billionaires, and powerful figures reveals about society’s values. We also explore Plato’s psychology, the importance of role models, and how social media can influence our character and understanding of success. We then discuss the power of myth, Plato’s allegory of the cave, misinformation, and the importance of distinguishing truth from falsehood. Professor Hobbs explains Plato’s views on art and censorship, how they differ from Aristotle’s, and the relationship between artistic expression, moral development, freedom, and personal responsibility. Finally, we explore friendship, romantic love, Platonic love, Plato’s *Symposium*, the ladder of love, codependency, and what ancient philosophy can teach us about loving others and living well.

In this episode, Professor Ariel Rubinstein and I explore economic theory, game theory, bargaining, bounded rationality, decision-making, language, and the relationship between economic models and the real world. Professor Rubinstein explains his view of economic models as mathematical stories or fables that can illuminate aspects of human behaviour without necessarily providing accurate descriptions or predictions of reality. We discuss what makes an economic model valuable, different approaches to economic theory, rationality, equilibrium, repeated games, and how people make decisions when their time, attention, and cognitive abilities are limited. We also explore the role of language and framing in decision-making, how patience and alternative options affect bargaining, and the distinction between economic models based on voluntary agreement and those based on power. Finally, Professor Rubinstein discusses the limitations of economic theory, the dangers of treating mathematical models as unquestionable scientific truths, the importance of intellectual curiosity, and his continuing work on alternative approaches to understanding economic interactions.

In this episode, Professor Jay Garfield and I explore Buddhist philosophy, Nagarjuna, emptiness, the two truths, no-self, compassion, and cross-cultural philosophy. We begin with his journey from logic and cognitive science into Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan epistemology, and his studies in India. Professor Garfield then explains the scale and diversity of Buddhist philosophy, including Theravada, Mahayana, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Chinese Buddhism, Zen, and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Buddhism as an atheistic and naturalistic religion, Nagarjuna’s account of emptiness, why emptiness is not nihilism, and what it means to say that emptiness itself is empty. We also explore the ethical implications of interdependence and no-self, the distinction between conventional and ultimate truth, how Buddhist practice turns intellectual understanding into perceptual expertise, and why compassion is better understood as active care for the welfare of others.