The Wes Cecil Podcast

Our powerful belief in the economic narrative of investment and growth blinds us to the actual nature of the world we experience and the problems we face. Much like Luther’s critique of the Catholic church, re-thinking this concept would be so disruptive as to cause a complete rethink of our approach to economic challenges - something we are so far unwilling to do.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the profound question of why life feels so hard through the lens of Buddhist philosophy. Delve into the concept of dukkha, or inherent suffering, and discover how craving fuels our discontent. Unpack the transformative Four Noble Truths that pave the path towards relief. Learn about the Noble Eightfold Path, a practical guide for ethical living and non-attachment. Finally, reflect on the balance between human identity and the pursuit of enlightenment, challenging the very nature of suffering and existence itself.

With the excess food available from the slow transition to Agriculture, cities began to form approximately 12,000 years ago. Nonetheless, as recently as 100 years ago most humans still did not live in urban settings. We are still learning how to adjust both mentally and culturally to putting so many primates in such a small area. Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A reflection on the way in which Philosophy and its uses is so often misrepresented as an attempt to be RIGHT. However, this mistakes the power of philosophy and how it can help us understand our lives and our world. Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore where the universe truly resides through Hindu philosophy. Discover the shift from animism to abstract gods and the core concepts of Brahman, Atman, and samsara. Delve into the Upanishadic vision of oneness and the experiential nature of Atman versus intellectual understanding. Gain insights into the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on cosmic cycles and the diverse paths to spiritual realization. Uncover how a tangible spirit is embedded in all living things and the practical takeaway to turn inward for personal growth.

After Art and Tools, Agriculture is clearly one of the most significant breakthroughs in the evolution of human culture. The changes both socially and intellectually necessary to enable a transition to sedentary cereal growing are likely still incomplete. Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the habits essential for nurturing a philosophical mindset. Wes draws parallels between intellectual growth and athletic training, emphasizing the need for quiet reflection. He advocates for surrounding oneself with inspiring thinkers while highlighting the importance of creative outlets like writing and art. The discussion also critiques modern fast-paced schedules that hinder deep learning, urging a shift towards more focused commitments for true intellectual development.

The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q6: What can we learn from nature?Hundred Schools of Thought (600-200 B.C.)Legalism: Humans are inherently corrupt and social order can only be maintained through strict hierarchy that imposes order through force.Mohism: Human society is best served through equality, frugality, and ethical education focused on helping people understand their own best interests. An early example of utilitarian and materialist thinking.Logicians: Focused on correct thinking, argumentation, naming and use of language as the method best suited to understanding the world and discovering right action. Placed heavy emphasis on reason.Confucianism: Emphasis on the founding of social order in hierarchy, family, conformity to social roles, the native goodness of human beings and the central role of education. The sense of compassion is the beginning of benevolence; the sense of shame the beginning of righteousness; the sense of modesty the beginning of decorum; the sense of right and wrong the beginning of wisdom. Man possesses these four beginnings just as he possesses four limbs. Anyone possessing these four and saying that he can not do what is required of him is abasing himself. Mencius Treat with reverence due to age the elders in your own family, so that those in the families of others shall be similarly treated; treat with the kindness due to youth the young in your own family, so that those in the families of others shall be similarly treated—do this and the kingdom may be made to go round in your palm. It is said in the 'Book of Poetry,''His example acted on his wife,Extended to his brethren,And was felt by all the clans and States;'Rén (仁, benevolence, humaneness);  Yì (義/义, righteousness or justice);Lǐ (禮/礼, proper rite);  Zhì (智, knowledge); Xìn (信, integrity). Zhōng (忠, loyalty); Xiào (孝, filial piety);Jié (節/节, contingency); Yì (義/义, righteousness).Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Likely more important than tool use and necessary for the development of more sophisticated tools, the development and creation of art marks the fundamental development of the modern mind. Here we see the imagination put to work in ways that fundamentally altered both the world and how we understood and understand the world today. At the very dawn of the Upper Paleolithic the arts become central to human society. Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world that feels chaotic, there's a profound reevaluation of our political frameworks. Leaders are struggling to connect with disillusioned citizens as traditional narratives crumble. The discussion highlights the challenges of crafting compelling arguments that align ethical values with practical solutions. Despite the turmoil, there’s a glimmer of hope with emerging narratives that could pave the way for fresh ideas and positive change. Can new systems rise from the ashes of old beliefs? Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of our shifting political landscape.