Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Socrates and Self-Knowledge

Podcast Summary

• The pursuit of wisdom and happiness: Ancient wisdom encourages humility and a continuous quest for knowledge to lead happier lives. Modern methods include certified wellness coaches and Airbnb hosting.

  The ancient philosopher Socrates, whose teachings were popularized by the movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," believed that true wisdom lies in recognizing our own ignorance. This simple yet profound idea, which has been revered throughout history, can help us lead happier lives by encouraging humility and a continuous quest for knowledge. Meanwhile, in California, efforts are underway to improve the mental health of young people through certified wellness coaches. And if you're traveling and considering renting out your home on Airbnb, you might be surprised to learn that it could potentially earn you more than you think. The pursuit of happiness, whether through ancient wisdom or modern means, is a lifelong journey. For more information on becoming a certified wellness coach in California, visit cawellnesscoach.org. To learn more about hosting on Airbnb, go to airbnb.com/host. And for a deeper dive into the happiness insights of Socrates and other ancient thinkers, tune in to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos.

• Ancient philosopher Socrates modeled intellectual humility and curiosity: Socrates, born into a wealthy family, questioned societal norms and fundamental truths, attracting followers like Plato and Aristotle, and his legacy continues to influence Western thought with his curiosity and humility.

  Socrates, an ancient philosopher from Athens, is a model of intellectual humility and curiosity. Born into a middle class family with inherited wealth, he was free to question societal norms and fundamental questions about truth, justice, and the nature of the gods. Despite his unconventional appearance and quirky behavior, he attracted a large following, including famous philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Socrates' legacy continues to influence Western thought, and his willingness to challenge the status quo serves as a reminder to remain curious and humble in our own lives.

• Socrates' Philosophical Legacy: The Socratic Method: Socrates is known for the Socratic method, a questioning technique that encourages critical thinking and self-reflection, making it a valuable tool for personal growth and philosophical inquiry.

  Socrates, despite being famous for his controversial lifestyle and eventual death by drinking hemlock due to being charged with corrupting the youth, left a profound philosophical legacy through the Socratic method. This method, which involves asking questions rather than giving answers, was used by Socrates to help individuals think through their own commitments and bring them into harmony. An example of this can be seen in Plato's dialogue, "Meno," where Socrates teaches a young boy the Pythagorean theorem through a series of questions. The Socratic method was not only used by Socrates to challenge others but also to challenge his own beliefs. This method, which encourages critical thinking and self-reflection, remains an important philosophical tool today.

• Socrates and the Oracle's paradox: True wisdom lies in recognizing our own limitations and uncertainty, as Socrates did by seeking out those who claimed to know and discovering their limitations.

  Key takeaway from the discussion about Socrates and the Oracle of Delphi is that true wisdom lies in recognizing one's own limitations and uncertainty. Socrates, who was told by the Oracle that he was the wisest man alive, responded by seeking out those who were considered wise and discovering that they, too, did not truly know everything. He understood that the paradox of knowledge is that those who claim to know the most may actually be the most in need of questioning their assumptions. This idea, known as the paradox of Socratic knowledge, highlights the importance of humility and self-reflection in the pursuit of wisdom. By embracing the uncertainty and complexity of the world, we can begin to understand ourselves and others more deeply, leading to greater personal growth and happiness.

• The Limits of Self-Knowledge: Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates and modern studies show people can't always distinguish internal feelings from external factors, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our self-knowledge limitations.

  We may not fully understand ourselves as we think we do. Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, believed this and faced condemnation for it. Modern scientific studies support this idea, showing that people can't always distinguish between external factors, like being on a shaky bridge, and internal feelings, like attraction. For example, people are more likely to think they're attracted to someone if they meet them on an unstable bridge due to physiological responses. This inability to distinguish between internal and external factors is the basis for numerous psychological studies. In essence, being aware of our limitations in self-knowledge can help us better understand ourselves. Additionally, the speaker suggests considering becoming an Airbnb host if one isn't always at home to earn extra income.

• The complexity of the mind leads to errors in self-knowledge: Understanding ourselves fully is challenging due to unconscious influences and multiple thought processes, potentially leading to inaccurate beliefs and hindered decision making.

  Our understanding of ourselves and our motivations is not always accurate. People often make choices and express preferences without fully comprehending why, and they may even be mistaken about what truly makes them happy. The mind is complex and not entirely transparent to ourselves, with many unconscious influences and multiple thought processes occurring simultaneously. This can lead to errors in self-knowledge and hinder our ability to make informed decisions and pursue happiness effectively. It's essential to be open to the possibility that our beliefs about ourselves may be flawed and to continually question and explore our thoughts and actions.

• Understanding Our Perception of the World and the Importance of Self-Reflection: Our perception of the world is complex, involving visual and auditory systems, emotions, and memory. Mental health challenges affect young people, and California is addressing this through wellness coaches. Consider becoming an Airbnb host or seeking employment assistance. Socrates emphasized self-reflection for a fulfilling life.

  Our perception of the world is a complex interplay of various systems in our brain, including our visual and auditory systems, emotions, and memory. This intricate process can sometimes lead to misinterpretations, as demonstrated by optical illusions. Understanding this can help us appreciate the complexity of our minds and the challenges in achieving self-knowledge. Meanwhile, the mental health of young people is under increasing pressure due to various stressors. California is addressing this issue by training a new workforce of certified wellness coaches to provide support and preventative services. These coaches can make a significant difference in the lives of children and youth. Additionally, considering becoming an Airbnb host can be a lucrative opportunity for those who have a home but are not always present. And for those seeking employment, Express Employment Professionals offers personalized assistance in finding jobs, free of charge. Finally, Socrates's philosophies, though introduced to me through a comedy film as a child, gained deeper meaning later in my education. One of his most important teachings, "The unexamined life is not worth living," is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-reflection and personal growth for feeling happier.

• Exploring the External World and Inner Selves: Socrates emphasizes the importance of questioning our assumptions, examining the external world, and self-examining to live a more examined and fulfilling life.

  Learning from the discussion about Socrates and the unexamined life is that both examining the external world and examining our inner selves are essential for living a fulfilling life. Socrates believed that society and the natural world have much to discover, and an unexamined life means not being curious about these discoveries. Moreover, trusting our initial impressions without questioning them can lead us astray. Socratic self-examination, whether through verbal questioning or non-verbal meditation, can help us eliminate distractions and come to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world. For instance, questioning our assumptions about what brings us happiness can lead us to recognize the sources of our feelings and make more informed decisions. In essence, Socrates encourages us to challenge ourselves, ask why, and focus on authenticity to live a more examined and fulfilling life.

• Learning about others helps us understand ourselves better: Exploring the human experience through others' perspectives can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth

  Understanding ourselves better can be achieved by learning about others and treating ourselves with the same compassion and curiosity we would use with a friend. Our fundamental similarities as humans make this approach effective. The unconscious mind can make self-understanding challenging, but recognizing this and adopting a humble, questioning attitude can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth. By asking ourselves why we feel or act certain ways, we can uncover the root causes of our emotions and behaviors, allowing us to make better decisions and promote happiness. Ultimately, embracing our inner Socrates involves accepting our own complexity and imperfections while striving for self-improvement.

• Explore Socratic self-questioning for better understanding of emotions and decisions: Practice Socratic self-questioning to align emotions and decisions with values and happiness principles

  Practicing Socratic self-questioning can help us better understand our emotions and make decisions that align with our values and contribute to our overall happiness. Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, encouraged constant self-examination and questioning, even if it caused discomfort. This approach can help us navigate negative emotions and make choices that align with scientifically proven happiness principles. When feeling a strong emotion or planning to do something, take time to examine the reasons behind it and consider if it aligns with what truly makes for a happier life. Remember, it's better to know that we don't know and continuously seek understanding. Stay curious and excellent to yourself and others. For more ancient wisdom, sign up for Pushkin Plus to access ad-free content and exclusive passages. In our next episode, we'll explore the teachings of Socrates' famous pupils, Plato and Aristotle. Stay safe, stay happy, and keep questioning.