Lifelong Learning and the Pleasures of Intellectual Development with Zena Hitz PhD
Original Air Date Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Socrates is credited with saying, “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Yet, our contemporary world of results-driven work leaves us very little time for ponderance.
To unearth the benefits of growing our inner worlds through examination and contemplation, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author and founder of the Catherine Project, Zena Hitz. Zena shares examples of individuals, real and imagined, who enrich themselves with life-long learning to discover the pleasures of intellectual development. She also shares key elements of her book, Lost in thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life.
Zena Hitz — The Pleasures of Intellectual Development and Lifelong Learning:
- Zena references the movie, The Hedgehog, to describe her learning for its own sake concept. [2:26]
- After years of schooling and work, Zena joined a religious community that focused on manual tasks, which gave her the opportunity to enter into the intellectual life of those around her. [10:49]
- Zena Hitz recognized that anyone, no matter their walk of life, can find these spaces and tap into that capacity to contemplate and learn. [14:34]
- In her book, Lost in thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, Zena shares the benefits of considering the so-called useless things in life. [15:59]
- If all tasks are results-driven people won’t have a chance to connect with their humanity. [20:15]
- Contemplation allows us to discover who we truly want to be in life. [23:14]
Zena Hitz earned her PhD at Princeton and is a Tutor at St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland. Her book, Lost In Thought, has been widely discussed, including in Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, El Mundo, and Irish Times. A Spanish translation has just appeared from Ediciones Encuentro, and translations into six more languages are on the way. She received the Hiett Prize in the Humanities in 2020 and is the founder and president of the Catherine Project.
Book: Lost in thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life.
This Podcast Episode of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio About Lifelong Learning and Intellectual Development Is Sponsored By:
Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?
H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.
“The definition of learning and contemplation is very individual.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“We are taught in the Western world that all things we do should somehow be useful.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“Learning for its own sake is a refuge from the world.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“I was thinking about all of the trouble we have with the busyness of contemporary life.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“Anyone, no matter their walk of life, can find these spaces and tap into the capacity to contemplate and to learn.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“There is something in just thinking about the “useless” things.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“I think weeding is a perfect example of something that is a means to an end but it also opens up whole dimensions of life for us.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“If we're asking people to undertake tasks that are totally results directed then we're diminishing their capacity to reach into their humanity.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“If we honored quiet contemplation more, we could help all of us to value what really matters in ourselves and in others.” @ZenaHitz on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
RELATED EPISODES
On Becoming a Virtuoso of Life
On Becoming a Virtuoso of Life with Kenny Werner Original Air Date Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Many people criticize their abilities. Whether it is taming an instrument or their voice, they judge themselves in lieu of experiencing the joy of the music they aspire to...
Cultivating Dignity and Selfhood for the Deeply Forgetful
Cultivating Dignity and Selfhood for the Deeply Forgetful with Stephen Post PhD Original Air Date Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Age-related memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. Some people experience a more deeply-rooted memory issue, such as...
Story-Crafting: Using Brain Science to Share Our Narratives
Story-Crafting: Using Brain Science to Share Our Narratives with Lisa Cron Original Air Date Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Every person’s experience in life is different. From a very young age, we learn what actions help us get what we need to survive and thrive. All...