Jules Evans: How Philosophy Can Save Your Life at TEDxBreda
Name of the Student
Course
Institution
Date
In “My philosophy for a happy life” TEDx Talks, Jules Evans discusses the medieval Greek philosophy of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). He says that as he begins to do explore it, it’s a revelation. The origins of his narrative reside in his experience of cognitive therapy in the healing of post-traumatic syndrome. Although he relates to individual experience only in passing, the philosophical roots behind his therapy are what grips him. He describes the compelling story of the enslaved Epictetus, disabled by a brutal master, educated by a decent man, liberated and then banished; thus Epictetus held out his ideals in his life. His central aphorism: that we should not struggle because of circumstances, but instead because of the opinions we have regarding the events. For instance, influenced meditations of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, dispersed Stoic concepts throughout the Roman empire, and 2,000 years later remained the basic principle of CBT.
Through the origins of rationalism through the Socratic discourse and the daily experience of the Stoics. Evans intends to identify the variety of ways in which classical philosophy now influences psychotherapeutic procedures: notably through the “living-for-the-moment” Epicureans, the spiritual speculations of Heraclitus, the social anarchy of the Cynics, the aristocratic ideology of Plato resulting in an Aristotelian happy life. It is exhilarating to note that even in the era of cognitive neuroscience, relatively few theories about the mind are profoundly modern. Evans himself remains true to Socratic reservations by being cautious of any trend, ancient or new, he experiences. He shares intriguing personal narratives and offers compelling criticisms of Martin Seligman’s optimistic psychology and the politics of pleasure. The concern with these later cognitive trends, he claims, is that they have followed Aristotelian principles, introduced empirical methods, and then abandoned the philosophical investigation.
Consequently, Evans effectively reveals, is a superficial, incurious science that infiltrates a lot of study and policy. Philosophy for life is viewed as fitting to the pretentious category of self-help advocated by organizations like Alain de Botton’s School of Life, which perceive philosophy not as scholarly research, but as life-training. Evans’ heart is not really about finding out how optimistic psyche and politics of happiness are the strident farce of Aristotle. His teachings are reasonably specific to be used as teaching methods; its interpretation of human behaviour is sufficiently insightful to be compelling; its literature is graceful and moving. We don’t require psychologists to construct frameworks of happiness (Freud did that in two phases: “love” and “work”). However, we do require them to devise therapies for pathological pain. He accurately pointed out the limitations of stoicism: acknowledging pain will keep us from altering our circumstances.
Nonetheless, to recognize that just could have some effect on emotions, without idealizing rational thinking; to separate the aspects we can influence from those we cannot manage; to prepare oneself to cope with hardship: these are the principles of real psychotherapy. All in all, as Evans notes, the great thinkers created “self-help of the very best sort, that doesn’t emphasize narrowly on the person. But rather widens our brains and links us to culture, knowledge, society and the universe” Cognitivism has scientism on its hand. Still, suppose the proprietors of CBT wish to balance the Freudian intuition for the analysis of human existence. In that case, they will require to reassure individuals that their method holds a metaphysical and cultural scope.
References
Evans. J (2020, June 15). How philosophy can save your life at TEDxBreda (Full transcript). The Singju Post. https://singjupost.com/jules-evans-how-philosophy-can-save-your-life-at-tedxbreda-full-transcript/