Episode · EconTalk · 2020-06-22
Books mentioned on Agnes Callard on Philosophy, Progress, and Wisdom
Philosopher and author Agnes Callard talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the state of philosophy, the power of philosophy, and the search for wisdom and truth.
Agnes Callard discussed The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith and The Enneads. Russ Roberts discussed Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
The Wealth of Nations
Why people recommend it: Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations is a foundational 1776 text by the Scottish economist often regarded as the father of modern capitalism, examining the nature and causes of national prosperity through free markets and division of labor.
Discussed“what you get there is some of the some of the story behind why there are these status tensions among human beings and why there's this zero-sum game aspect to the human experience which has to sit alongside of the kind of very positive picture in like wealth of nations where it's like oh we just get together and work”
Where to get it
-
Fooled by Randomness
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a popular exploration of the massive role that chance, luck, and probability play in human success, finance, and everyday life.
Discussed“well I think the mistake people make when they make those the kind of statements it's the same mistake they make i to me when they say in a book say talking about Nassim Nicholas Taleb spoke fooled by randomness people say oh I already knew all that”
Where to get it
-
The Enneads
The Enneads by Plotinus is a foundational collection of ancient philosophical writings that form the basis of Neoplatonism, exploring themes of beauty, the soul, and the nature of the One.
Discussed“and he wrote these this text called the any ins in which essentially he's like trying to explain how everything is organized under the one”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“my guest is philosopher and author Agnes Callard of the University of Chicago she's the author of aspiration the agency of becoming”