TED Radio Hour Using ancient philosophy to cope with your modern problems
113 snips
Apr 17, 2026 
Meghan Sullivan, Notre Dame philosophy professor who studies ethics and the good life. She explores how ancient thinkers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle help us handle upheaval, love, work and AI. Short, provocative thought experiments and a ten-question course probe vulnerability, religion, virtue and whether AI can meet human needs.
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Socrates Chose Truth Over Safety
- Socrates asked big questions and was put on trial for 'corrupting the youth,' ultimately choosing death over silencing his inquiry.
- Sullivan describes how Socrates' refusal to appease power birthed philosophy as we know it and influenced Plato.
Aristotle's Practical Road To Flourishing
- Aristotle reframed the good life as eudaimonia—flourishing achieved by cultivating reason, self-control, and habits within healthy communities.
- Sullivan calls Aristotle the ancient 'self-help' philosopher who taught practical lessons for flourishing.
Teach The Good Life With Ten Escalating Questions
- Start ethical education by asking foundational questions and escalate difficulty so students build reasoning stepwise.
- Sullivan structures her course around 10 big questions, beginning with political disagreement then advancing to mortality.