Episode · EconTalk · 2022-11-14
Books mentioned on Agnes Callard on Meaning, the Human Quest, and the Aims of Education
Suppose all of humanity was infected by a virus that left us all infertile--no one will come along after us. How would you react to such a world?
Agnes Callard discussed The Children of Men by P. D. James and The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Russ Roberts discussed Midlife by Kieran Setiya and Arcadia by Tom Stoppard.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Children of Men
The Children of Men by P.
Discussed“so there's a book by Petey James Children of Men and then there's a great movie from 2006 with Clive Owen by Alfonso cuarone called Children of Men”
Where to get it
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The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye by J.
Discussed“and one of them is like even something like obviously it wouldn't make sense to be looking for the cure to cancer right but even something like reading catcher in their eye that's one of his examples”
Where to get it
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Midlife
Midlife by Kieran Setiya is a philosophical guide that reevaluates the midlife crisis, arguing that while cultural panic surrounding middle age is sometimes overhyped, the psychological challenges of this life stage are genuinely rooted in valid philosophical reasons.
Discussed“well I'm thinking about Karen such as example from his book midlife that we talked about italic and italic activities tele meaning having a goal”
Where to get it
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Arcadia
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard is a celebrated contemporary play that explores the complex intersections of history, science, time, and the human search for meaning across different centuries.
Discussed“im going to read a quote from Tom stoppards play Arcadia which and Ive ever mentioned it before on any contact its my favorite play by a living author”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“so you know weve talked about my book aspiration and I think one characteristic of aspirational situations is that the self-understanding of the aspirant is going to be imperfect”