Dr. John Kaag on How to Find Zest in Life

Dr. John Kaag is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts. He has written extensively on academic philosophy but his work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Paris Review, and Harper’s Magazine.  

In this episode, John and Eric discuss his new book, Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life.

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In This Interview, Dr. John Kaag and I Discuss How to Find Zest in Life and …

His book, Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your LifeWilliam James’s philosophy of sick soulsJames’s important message of not being alone in having a sick soulHow having a “maybe” means there is possibilityThe theory of emotions and how the body keeps scoreHabits are a tool that allows us to negotiate our world in an easier wayThe downside to habits is that they can make us less aware and go on autopilotThe danger of midlifeBeing able to expand our consciousness and view of the world Confusing the immediate for the important and meaningfulRealizing that your will can only take you so far How you can orient yourself to the circumstances you are faced withHaving zest for life is what makes it significant How we tend to repeat actions when we are in midlife, making it difficult to see the newnessHow his brush with death caused him to seek the zest in lifeLearning to find zest in the commitment is the task of lifeFinding the balance between habit and novelty

Dr. John Kaag Links:

John’s Website

Twitter

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. John Kaag, you might also enjoy these other episodes:

Unsafe Thinking with Jonah Sachs

Making Time for What Matters with John Zeratsky

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