Whatever Works?

In this spontaneous musing, I dive into the surprising connections between two films: Whatever Works and Another Round. Both movies explore the complexities of love, life, and personal growth, showing that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to finding happiness and meaning.

Drawing on insights from philosophy, I discuss how these films reflect the idea that life's advice isn't universal; what works for one person may not work for another. This theme is echoed in the characters' experiences with love and drinking in the movies, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life.

But I also discuss how Whatever Works doesn't mean that Anything Goes! There is still room for good life advice, and you'll hardly find a better of that than Socrates, especially the down-to-earth version we get in Xenophon's Memorabilia. I also discuss Bukele's recent Tucker interviews as an example of common sense wisdom..

If you enjoyed this discussion, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more musings on philosophy, politics, and life.

[tomjull]

On Discernment, St John Climicus wrote, "Sometimes what serves as medicine for one is poison for another. And sometimes something given to one and the same person at a suitable time serves as medicine, but at the wrong time it is poison."

[jake]

This one hit hard. Sometimes the universe smacks you with the message right when you need it.

[nicholasdasilva]

I’m a liberal myself, but listening to your contrasting scholarship has been very healing and expanding for me

[oumod_]

Plato’s Laws is the most under under appreciated dialogue. Practical and very kino.

[JosephKelly-ujzo]

I got a blue belt in BJJ and quit because I was bored out of mind mind and my body was wrecked. I did use it twice in the street to defuse situations and it worked fantastic. I realized I wanted ot be outside as much as possible and started trailing running and yoga and in my 50s live in Thailand and love it though only twice a week and no sparring. Everyone is different and different things work at different times in your life.

[mr.rogers]

Well said. It's often occurred to me that preacher's could bring this approach to practical advice.
The practice seems to take a good deal more openness than the doctrine. Perhaps that's how they treat everything, like doctrine.

[austintierney]

Simply uttering "whatever works" makes me think of Rorty. So, uh please do a video on Rorty ;)

[VojtechKos-vyto]

I believe there was a video I don't remember the name of (probably in Dugin's Directive) where Dugin is talking about the counter-intuitiveness of general American attitude to life as seen by the continentals/Eurasians. He posits something along the lines that the continental/eurasian mind operates under the axiom of "right/wrong" "What ought to be done?" whereas American mind works along the line of "it works/it does not work". The phrase immediately stuck out to me when I started watching your video.

[iqbalahmad]

Which is the best translation of the Republic?

[thecookiechannel]

To be honest politicians always talk about religion and prayer, not for supreme guidance, ❤❤but for political support from religious factions.

[kaiwancallender]

I always thought this movie was kind of bad I guess when he was going to