Don't be surprised if in the 21st century lectures on meditation appear in university catalogues for physics.
The world we all share is the same in important respects. But in some deep ways, the lived world and its meanings are radically different.
The narrative that each person tells herself and others is a big part of how we construct our self-identities. It's one of the most important ways that we make sense of our past and present and understand our hopes for the future.
Above all else, philosophy ought to aim for clarification - of the self, one's place in the world, and the ways we make meaning. Philosophy, when practiced well, can be useful. It can enable us to grapple in productive ways with questions about the meaning of life and who I am and how I want to be in the world.
An evolutionary biologist and a fundamentalist may see the same chimpanzee sitting in a cage, but in another important way, they do not. And they may approach the details of their lives in very different ways.
In constructing our narratives, we identify which particular events or experiences were formative or transformative. In telling our stories, we also claim some authority over our own experiences and their meanings.
Anxiety is the dizziness we experience when we recognize we hold the freedom and responsibility for our life choices. More than anyone, alcoholics have a very clear sense of this dizziness, especially when we were coming to realize our own powerlessness over alcohol and that we could act differently.
The earth is enjoyed by heroes”—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, “I have no fear.
I love Hawaii. I really enjoy surfing in Oahu, and Waianae is such a great area. And Maui - I like Maui a lot, too.
I think part of a beauty routine is how you feel and checking in with your inner self, and so I made that commitment to myself to do that.
In high school, my desire for friendship far outweighed my talent for it.