November 2024
AI Replacing Jobs? A Philosophical View on Tech Anxiety
As AI tools like ChatGPT grow more powerful, we're witnessing a collective anxiety about the future of work. But this isn't just about economics—it's fundamentally a philosophical question about the meaning of work itself.
Martin Heidegger's philosophy of technology offers valuable insights. He argued that technology isn't just a tool we use, but a way of revealing the world. When we reduce work to mere productivity metrics, we miss its deeper significance: work as a form of self-expression, community building, and meaning-making.
The question isn't whether AI will replace jobs, but how we'll redefine what makes work meaningful in an age of automation. Perhaps this is an opportunity to reclaim work as something more than just economic necessity.
October 2024
The "Authentic Self" in the Social Media Age
On Instagram and TikTok, we curate our lives, presenting carefully selected moments to the world. But this raises a profound question: are we showing our true selves, or performing a version of ourselves?
Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism is particularly relevant here. He distinguished between "being-in-itself" (our authentic existence) and "being-for-others" (how we present ourselves to the world). Social media amplifies this tension, making us constantly aware of our audience.
The challenge isn't to eliminate self-presentation—that's impossible—but to maintain awareness of when we're performing and when we're being authentic. Understanding this distinction is key to navigating modern identity in the digital age.
September 2024
"Quiet Quitting" or "Hustle Culture"? The Philosophy of Choice
The debate between "quiet quitting" and "hustle culture" isn't just about work-life balance—it's about how we define a good life. Should we maximize productivity and achievement, or prioritize well-being and boundaries?
Aristotle's concept of the "golden mean" suggests the answer lies between extremes. Virtue isn't found in complete detachment from work or in workaholism, but in finding the right balance for your circumstances.
The Stoics add another dimension: focus on what you can control. You can't control workplace demands, but you can control your response. The key is intentionality—making conscious choices about your engagement rather than defaulting to either extreme.
August 2024
Sustainability & Consumption: Where Does Our Moral Responsibility Lie?
Climate change presents a unique moral challenge: individual actions feel insignificant, yet collective action requires individual participation. How should we think about our responsibility as consumers?
Utilitarianism suggests we should act to maximize overall well-being. From this view, even small sustainable choices matter because they contribute to the greater good and influence social norms.
Deontological ethics, on the other hand, focuses on duties and principles. Kant would argue we have a duty to act in ways we could will as universal laws. If everyone consumed unsustainably, the system would collapse—therefore, we have a moral duty to consume responsibly, regardless of others' actions.