The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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The quest for authenticity

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Aug 22, 2022

Guest

Skye Cleary

In this engaging conversation, philosopher Skye Cleary, author of "How to Be Authentic," explores the nuances of authenticity through the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir. She discusses how authenticity is an ongoing journey of self-creation, rather than a static identity. Skye highlights the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom, particularly in love and relationships. She also delves into the evolution of gender roles and the importance of emotional freedom, making a case for egalitarian partnerships that nurture individuality.

49:45

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insights

INSIGHT

Continuous Becoming

We are always becoming, always growing beyond our current selves.
This continuous self-creation is a defining characteristic of being human.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Cleary's Bad Faith

Skye Cleary felt societal pressure to conform to roles, leading to misery.
Discovering existentialism helped her realize she wasn't creating her own life.

insights

INSIGHT

Roles and Authenticity

Societal roles can lead to inauthenticity if they define us completely.
Strive for a diversified life and avoid letting roles dictate your actions.

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The Quest for Authenticity

02:35 • 11min

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Navigating Authenticity in Relationships and Gender

13:09 • 4min

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Redefining Love and Autonomy

17:35 • 13min

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Navigating Gender Roles and Parenting in Modern Times

30:12 • 2min

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Exploring Authenticity in Relationships Through Beauvoir's Philosophy

32:35 • 5min

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Authenticity and Existentialism

37:15 • 14min

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#27475

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter

Simone de Beauvoir

Dans *Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée*, Simone de Beauvoir raconte son enfance et son adolescence, décrivant son éveil à l'individualité et sa résistance aux normes bourgeoises et catholiques. Le livre met en scène son amitié avec Zaza, qui incarne les tragédies que peuvent subir les filles soumises aux conventions sociales.

#2151

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

Symposium

Plato

The Symposium is a philosophical dialogue written by Plato around 370 BCE. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable Athenian men, including Socrates, Alcibiades, and Aristophanes, in praise of Eros, the god of love. The dialogue is structured as a series of speeches, each developing the ideas of the previous one, and culminates in Socrates' speech, which recounts his conversation with the wise woman Diotima. The work explores various aspects of love, including its benefits, its connection to philosophy, and its role in human happiness. The setting is a banquet at the house of the tragedian Agathon, where the men engage in drinking and conversation, leading to heartfelt and noble speeches about love.

#1738

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

The Second Sex

Simone de Beauvoir

In 'The Second Sex', Simone de Beauvoir delves into the concept of feminism by examining historical facts, biological differences, psychoanalytic theories, and societal myths that have led to the subjugation of women. The book is divided into two volumes: 'Facts and Myths' and 'Lived Experience'. Beauvoir argues that women are not inherently inferior but are made so by societal constructs and historical injustices. She critiques the notion that women are defined as 'The Other' in relation to men, emphasizing that this distinction denies women their humanity and autonomy. The book explores various stages of a woman's life, from childhood to old age, highlighting how societal forces condition women into accepting passive and dependent roles. Beauvoir advocates for women's equality and autonomy, particularly through economic independence and the ability to support themselves through work.

#14656

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Existentialism Is a Humanism

Jean-Paul Sartre

In this work, Sartre argues that existentialism is an optimistic and action-oriented philosophy that centers on moral responsibility and human interconnections. He posits that 'existence precedes essence,' meaning humans are not defined by a pre-existing essence but by their choices and actions. Sartre addresses criticisms of existentialism, arguing that it is not pessimistic but rather liberating, as it grounds human values and moral aims in human subjectivity itself. He differentiates his existential humanism from other forms of humanism, emphasizing that humans are constantly in the process of creating their own values and purposes without relying on divine or external mandates.

#29732

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

How to Be Authentic

Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment

Skye Cleary

This book delves into Simone de Beauvoir's existentialist philosophy, where authenticity is not about discovering a true self but creating one through self-renewal and diverse life paths. Skye C. Cleary examines major life relationships and milestones, showing how Beauvoir's ideas can help individuals live purposefully and responsibly. The book challenges readers to become 'poets of their own lives' by embracing freedom and responsibility.

#54421

Inseparable

Simone de Beauvoir

Inseparable is a deeply personal and vivid portrayal of female friendship and coming-of-age in a society dominated by strict social norms. The novel follows Sylvie and Andrée as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a world that restricts women's choices and desires. Written in 1954, it remained unpublished until 2021 and offers a unique insight into Beauvoir's formative experiences and philosophical development.

Sean Illing talks with Skye Cleary, philosopher and author of the new book How to Be Authentic. The book is an examination of how to live an authentic life through the lens of the life and thought of the great French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986). Sean and Skye discuss what authenticity really means — and how it's often a misused term today, why we should resist performing roles predetermined for us by society, and how to have a truly intimate relationship without surrendering yourself — or your freedom.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Skye Cleary (@Skye_Cleary), author, philosopher

References:

How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment by Skye Cleary (St. Martin's; 2022)
"Existentialism Is a Humanism" by Jean-Paul Sartre (1946)
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir (1949; tr. 2011 by Constance Borde & Sheila Malovany-Chevallier)
Aristophanes's speech in Plato's Symposium, 189c–193e
The Useless Mouths, play by Simone de Beauvoir (1945)
Inseparable by Simone de Beauvoir (tr. Sandra Smith; published for the first time by Ecco; 2021)
"Before She Loved Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir loved Zaza" by Leslie Camhi (New York Times; Aug. 27, 2021)
After The Second Sex: Conversations with Simone de Beauvoir by Alice Schwarzer (Pantheon; 1984)
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir (1958)
Pyrrhus et Cinéas by Simone de Beauvoir (1944)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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