Eric Weiner and The Socrates Express
Details
Join Massimo Pigliucci and Rob Colter as they talk to Eric Weiner, author of The Socrates Express -- In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. (https://bookshop.org/books/the-socrates-express-in-search-of-life-lessons-from-dead-philosophers/9781501129018)
We turn to philosophy for the same reasons we travel: to see the world from a different perspective, to unearth hidden beauty, and to find new ways of being. We want to learn how to embrace wonder. Face regrets. Sustain hope. Eric Weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and global travel in a pilgrimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from Rousseau to Nietzsche, Confucius to Simone Weil. Traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in Athens, Delhi, Wyoming, Coney Island, Frankfurt, and points in between to reconnect with philosophy’s original purpose: teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. From Socrates and ancient Athens to Simone de Beauvoir and twentieth-century Paris, Weiner’s chosen philosophers and places provide important signposts as we navigate today’s chaotic times. In The Socrates Express, Weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions.
Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss and The Geography of Genius, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God. A former foreign correspondent for NPR, he has reported from more than three dozen countries. His work has appeared in the New Republic, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, and the anthology Best American Travel Writing. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and daughter.
Massimo is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and the practical philosophy of Stoicism. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books). His latest book is A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living (Basic Books). More by Massimo at massimopigliucci.com.
Rob is Associate Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Wyoming and received my PhD from Northwestern University in 2001. His research focuses on Ancient Philosophy and Philosophical Pedagogy. In addition to teaching at UW, he organizes an annual Stoic Camp for public attendance and teaches philosophy courses in Wyoming prisons. In his spare time, he likes to be with his family, cook, read, and fly fish in the wilderness of Wyoming.
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Please note that meetup time is Eastern Standard Time. The event may be recorded, so that others may benefit from our discussion after the video gets posted online.
At the beginning of the meeting your audio will be off, but keep the video on, if you don't mind. This makes for less background noise and a more human interaction -- we see each other! That said, if you are participating by phone, please change your screen name, as the default will be your phone number, which you probably don't want to relate that to the world.
When you'd like to ask a question, raise your hand using Zoom's tool. When you are called on, your mic will be turned on (don't try to do it yourself, you'll simply interfere with my remote control), at which point you may ask your question. The mic will then be turned back off to allow for the next participant to speak.
Finally, during the event I will be busy and likely not able to monitor the chat, so see above if you'd like to ask a question or make a comment.