The Art of Living

In 2013, Philosophy Talk collaborated with the Stanford Continuing Studies program to create The Art of Living, a very special series of classes and radio tapings:

All of us must make fundamental life choices and decide what is most valuable to us. We may opt for a life of reason and knowledge; one of faith and discipline; one of nature and freedom; one of community and altruism; or one of originality and style. We may even choose to live our lives as though they were works of art. In every case, hard work is required: Our lives are not just given to us, but need to be made. To live well is, in fact, to practice an art of living. In this course, we will explore the various ways in which it is possible to live well and beautifully, what it takes to implement our values, and what happens when they come under pressure from inside and out. 

In five sessions over a ten-week period, participants explored the human condition and the ways in which we find meaning, make fundamental life choices, and construct beautiful and well-lived lives for ourselves.

One part college course, one part radio series, each meeting began with a traditional lecture on each week's topic by John or Ken, followed by the taping of a radio program where the host were joined as usual by a special guest:

1. The Demands of Morality with Tamar Schapiro (opening lecture by Ken Taylor)

2. Faith vs. Reason with Howard Wettstein (opening lecture by John Perry)

3. Finding Meaning in a Material World with Owen Flanagan (opening lecture by Ken Taylor)

4. Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times withe Melissa Lane (opening lecture by John Perry)

5. Life as a Work of Art with Lanier Anderson (opening lecture by Ken Taylor)

The Art of Living

Episode Title Guest Related Content

The Demands of Morality

Tamar Schapiro, Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University

The Demands of Morality

Faith, Reason, and the Art of Living

Howard Wettstein, Professor of Philosophy, University of California Riverside

Religion and the Art of Living

Finding Meaning in a Material World

Owen Flanagan, Professor of Philosophy and of Neurobiology, Duke University

Finding Meaning in a Material World

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

Melissa Lane, Professor of Politics, Princeton University

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

Life as a Work of Art

R. Lanier Anderson, Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University

Life as a Work of Art