In our very first episode, I sit down with An Yan, a junior at Mercersburg Academy.
Episode 1 in a 🌰:
1. Means vs Ends
Are we doing things in high school because of genuine interest, or just to add to our college resume? Is college just the stepping stone to a job?
2. Passion vs Practicality
Should we follow what we love, or choose a major based on what’s “useful”? STEM vs Humanities? Is philosophy impractical, and therefore meaningless?
3. Definition of success
What is society's definition of success -- something that gains money? Without monetary motivation, would we really do the things we love?
🥜Hypothetical Nut of the Day: AI takes our jobs and guarantees us material survival. What would we be doing? Would this lead to a better society?
4. Why philosophy?
Why do we study philosophy anyway? Should we?
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview
00:22 – Means vs. Ends: Understanding the Concept
00:57 – College: A Means or an End?
01:32 – STEM vs. Humanities: a Debate on Practicality
02:04 – Philosophy and Practicality: the Great Paradox
04:06 – Success: Wealth vs. Happiness
06:50 – AI and the Future of Work
12:46 – The Meaning of Life and Philosophy
18:27 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Hope you enjoyed the ep!
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