The Midlife Crisis is NOT a Myth

The midlife crisis is a staple of modern popular culture, responsible for all manner of awful decisions by adults in midlife. But does it really exist, or is it just a myth? And if it does exist, where does it come from and what should we do about it? Join me today as we explore the philosophy of the midlife crisis. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:39 - What is the Midlife Crisis? 02:58 - Cause 1: Mortality 04:35 - Cause 2: Running out of Projects 07:13 - Solution: Telic vs. Atelic Thinking 13:03 - Conclusion References: David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald (2017), “The Midlife Low in Human Beings” The CAGE Background Briefing Series 83. Elliot Jacques. (2006) “Death and the Midlife Crisis” in IS IT TOO LATE? KEY PAPERS ON PSYCHOANALYSIS AND AGEING, edited by Gabriele Junkers. Susan Buecker et. al. (2023) “The Development of Subjective Well-Being Across the Life Span: A Meta-Analytic Review of Longitudinal Studies” Psychological Bulletin 149:7-8. Kieran Setiya. (2014) “The Midlife Crisis”, Philosopher’s Imprint 14:31. #midlifecrisis #wellness #philosophy #psychology #midlife