Episode · No Stupid Questions · 2023-01-29
Books mentioned on 132. Is It Wrong to Enjoy Yourself While the World Is Burning?
Are things as dire as they seem? How big is your moral circle?
Angela Duckworth discussed How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker, The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, and Candide by Francois Voltaire.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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How the Mind Works
How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker is a comprehensive exploration of evolutionary psychology that investigates how the human brain evolved, how it processes information, and how these mechanisms shape modern human behavior.
Discussed“Pinker wrote a book about it; I think he did a really good job summarizing it.”
Where to get it
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a seminal 1759 work of moral philosophy that examines the psychological foundations of human judgment, empathy, and social order.
Discussed“well the theory of moral sentiments yeah but in the theory of moral sentiment Smith wrote about this”
Where to get it
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The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith is a foundational text of classical economics published in 1776 that explores market dynamics, the division of labor, and the nature of national prosperity.
Discussed“self-interest was something that he wrote a bit about in his later book The Wealth of Nations”
Where to get it
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Candide
Candide by Francois Voltaire is a classic philosophical novella that satirizes blind optimism and societal absurdities through the endless misfortunes of its protagonist.
Discussed“I remember reading in French class I think it was junior year and Dr Roland had assigned Candide by Voltaire”
Where to get it
