An occupational hazard of doing philosophy is the looming threat of an existential crisis. Unavoidably, when asking big questions, not finding a satisfying answer can lead to big problems. And perhaps no question is bigger — and more evasive of an answer — than, Why am I here?
Ben Thomas, who runs the YouTube channel Sisyphus55, is no stranger to such concerns. For years he has been producing philosophical YouTube videos on topics including nihilism, existentialism, art, beauty, and meaning.
His new book, So You’re Having an Existential Crisis: A Roadmap for Lost Souls, condenses his experience with these issues into a readable introduction to dealing with life’s absurdity, and he joins me in this episode to give us an overview.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - What is an Existential Crisis?
8:58 - The Myth of Sisyphus: An Introduction to Existential Philosophy
18:23 - What is Existentialism?
30:28 - Can We Create Our Own Meaning?
42:11 - Eudaimonia
47:49 - The Rise of Existentialist Crises in the 20th Century
52:59 - Camus’ Solution: Imagine Sisyphus Happy
01:00:42 - How Can We Practically Accept Our Circumstance?
01:07:55 - Can Nihilists Be Happy?
01:16:43 - What Can We Find Outside the Western Tradition?
01:25:02 - Separating the Philosophy from the Philosopher
