The Craft of Living
Ante Jerončić is a professor of ethics and theology at Andrews University. On this podcast, he explores the theme of the craft of living from a variety of practical and philosophical perspectives. In particular, he is interested in the overlapping spaces where wisdom traditions, behavioral sciences, and self-development literature meet on the question of the good life.
Episodes
29 episodes
29. Is Giving Advice Immoral?
The question in the podcast title was prompted by an article in the Guardian that addresses that very question. Here I briefly touch upon it by offering a couple of points of agreement before suggesting a particular practice that might be helpf...
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15:44
28. The Simple and the Essential: Heidegger in Modernity II
In this episode, I continue discussing some key insights from Günter Figal's lecture series "Heidegger in Modernity" given at the University of Freiburg. Again, the themes of reduction, the simple, and the essential are stressed, including Heid...
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44:04
27. The Simple and the Essential: Heidegger in Modernity I
A couple of years, I came across Günter Figal's lectures "Heidegger in Modernity" given at the University of Freiburg. In this episode, I begin some of the insights I have gleaned from them, in particular, focusing on the essentializing motif i...
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51:16
26. The Art of Loving: Via Erich Fromm
In this episode, I briefly engage some key insights from Erich From on the art of loving. On a more technical note, I want to apologize for the relatively bad audio quality. I am working on rectifying the issue and hope that things will be bett...
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35:47
25. The Way of Perfection: One Possible Take
It's good to be back after a year! As I explain in the episode, a lot of things happened on my end that led me to set aside recordings for a while. In any case, I am picking here where I left off, posting presentations that consist of two parts...
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28:26
24. Mental Fortitude: Another Take
In my previous episode, I broached the topic of mental fortitude, stressing its importance and manifoldness. Mental fortitude, in other words, is not just one thing but is something that is comprised of different elements. Here I advance the di...
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42:44
23. Mental Toughness: The Quest for Mental and Spiritual Fortitude
Mental toughness, mental fortitude, self-discipline, resilience,... you name it. We all have a basic idea of what it means. This essential ingredient to the craft of living that helps us stay the course, face setbacks with dignity and equanimit...
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41:05
22. The Art of Resilience
In this episode, I discuss some additional aspects of Stoicism and its practical significance via Ross Edgley's "The Art of Resilience." I begin by sharing a couple of updates about things happening on my end (insights, readings, lessons learne...
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28:58
21. The Path of Mindfulness: Engaging the Stoics
[YouTube Channel Episode]One of the more interesting cultural developments in recent years, and least fear, has been an increased interest in Stoicism. Here are I share a few ideas on the issue, including things that I find congenial in the...
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26:47
20. What Genuine Productivity Is
Productivity, the very term, grates people the wrong way. In this episode, I explore why that often is the case. And to be honest, I get it. I don't like the term either. On the other hand, there is a way to think about productivity, especially...
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20:44
19. On Contexts and Rituals: Resolutions Toolbox V
This is the fifth and final episode in the New Year's Resolutions mini-series. Among other, I offer specific examples of my morning and evening rituals to illustrate important principles such as habit stacking and automaticity. Not in a prescri...
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32:41
18. Handling the Other Horse: Resolutions Toolbox IV
The title of the podcast references Plato's famous chariots allegory in the Phaedrus, where two horses are jostling for supremacy. One of the horses refers to our rational or cognitive sides, while the other to our passions and habits....
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29:07
17. Why We (Often) Don't Make It: Resolutions Toolbox III
Why is it that most of our decisions and goals often come to naught? That is a complex question that takes us straight to fundamental issues of human nature and agency. In this episode, I offer a crack at this conundrum by focusing on two essen...
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20:04
16. "Know Thyself": Resolutions Toolbox II
Here I follow up on some of my reflections on the nature, purpose, and obstacles of life-transforming resolutions. Without a doubt, the theme of self-knowledge is central in that regard. I offer three specific takes on that issue:07...
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21:30
15. About those New Year's Wishes: Resolutions Toolbox I
New Year's resolutions, despite being a regular staple of dismissive jokes, are a fascinating feat of human desire. They express, at times, our deepest dreams and intentions, and more importantly, a deep-seated aspiration to become different pe...
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12:33
14. Understanding and Dialogue: What I Have Learned from H. G. Gadamer
Understanding, dialogue, interpretation, attention, and openness are essential ingredients of meaningful interpersonal relationships. They also happen to be central themes in one of the most important contributions to contemporary thought - H. ...
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38:43
13. The Will to Untruth: What I Have Learned from F. Nietzsche
That Nietzsche should be an influential voice in my life, might come as surprise to some. But then again, perhaps not. After all, isn't he an individual singularly devoted to the craft of living, of turning our lives into a work of art? Here, t...
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58:22
12. On Imagination: Its Meaning and Importance for the Craft of Living
For a while now I have reflected on the significance of imagination for human flourishing, both societal and personal. Here I tackle just some aspects of this important topic, including some suggestions as to how one might be more intentional a...
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1:00:53
11. Life Lessons Learned II: Mostly on Habits
Here I build on my last episode by sharing some additional life-insights, emphasizing, in particular, the nature and significance of habits. I am also introducing a new introductory segment "Miscellanies" during which I hope to share in the fut...
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27:44
10. Life Lessons Learned I: What I Would Tell to My Younger Self
In this episode, I share some of the insights that I would give my younger self if I had a chance. The advice mostly centers on issues of values, productivity, habits, and life lessons. EPISODE SECTIONS 00:05 - Introduction and upda...
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36:26
9. Identity Values: The Vision that Drives Me
As I state it in the recording, the idea craft implies decisions, knowledge, competency, and purposiveness in its various aspects. It is the last aspect that I focus on here, tentatively as it might be, by discussing my ten fundamental identity...
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38:29
8. Inhabiting Truth: What I Have Learned from S. Kierkegaard
Another video in the "What I Have Learned From" series. Of course, it is impossible to do full justice to a complex thinker such as S. Kierkegaard, so what I offer instead is a personal take in the spirit of what the channel is about.
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Episode 8
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21:20
7. Baselines of Happiness: On Gratitude and the Pleasure Principle
As I make it clear in the video, it is somewhat obscene to talk about the positive outcomes that COVID-19 brought us. There is just too much misery and loss in the midst of it to end up sentimentalizing the whole thing. And yet, I have to admit...
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Episode 7
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17:36
6. The Power of Serendipity: What I Have Learned from Augustine
What strikes me about Augustine's "Confessions" is their expansive notion of divine grace. He portrays it as a power of serendipity, to borrow from M. Scott Peck, one that is continuously at work in human lives in ways that often elude our noti...
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Episode 6
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12:13
5. Series Introduction: What I Have Learned From...
Here I am introducing a new series where I will share, engage, discuss, and dialogue with thinkers that have shaped my life-outlook and identity. So, this is meant both as a kind of tribute and taking stock of things. In this video, I explain w...
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Episode 5
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9:15