Disrupting Expectations

Exploring Love, Freedom, and Authenticity with philosopher Skye Cleary.

Andrea speaks with Skye Cleary, a philosopher at Columbia University, about existentialism, love, and authenticity. They delve into Simone de Beauvoir's influential ideas, questioning societal expectations, and the concept of authentic love as mutual recognition of two freedoms. Skye shares her personal journey, from challenging traditional roles to embracing unique paths, including her experiences in the army, management consulting, and academia. This episode provides insights into living a reflective life, pushing beyond societal norms, and finding genuine connection in relationships.

#existentialism #loveandphilosophy #expectations #philosophy #Beauvoir

00:00 Introduction to Beauvoir and Sartre's Influence

00:13 Exploring Authentic Love and Personal Choices

01:05 Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:28 Skye Cleary's Background and Works

03:23 Discussion on Expectations and Personal Story

05:17 Questioning Life's Expectations

09:33 Discovering Existential Philosophy

18:04 Challenging Relationship Norms

28:27 Exploring the Concept of Choice and Freedom

29:49 The Role of Agency in Shaping Our Lives

31:02 Reflecting on Life's Path and Societal Expectations

33:37 The Importance of Reflection and Philosophical Inquiry

35:02 Beauvoir's Optimistic Existentialism

37:55 Balancing Individual and Societal Expectations

44:44 The Dynamics of Romantic and Authentic Love

48:56 Challenges and Realities of Parenthood

52:32 Mutual Recognition and Expanding Perspectives

01:00:16 Concluding Thoughts on Love and Freedom

https://skyecleary.com/

Buy the book!

How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment: https://us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

Existentialism and Romantic Love: https://link.springer.com/book/10.105...

Love and Philosophy substack:

Beyond Dichotomy started as research conversations towards noticing the patterns that connect across traditional divides. When I started my studies, there was so much I wanted to explore that I was told I shouldn't explore because it didn't fit into this or that discipline, but having studied and worked in so many fields, those barriers no longer made sense. The same felt true relative to passions and love. So I decided to open myself to all of it beyond traditional distinctions, towards learning and development. This podcast is where those voices gather together in one space as I try and notice the patterns that connect. It's part of my life work and research, but it's also something I hope to share with you and to invite you to share your perspective and position. Thank you for being here. The main goal is to have conversations across disciplines to understand how our approach to life and cognition might address some of the urgent divides we face today. By love and philosophy, I mean the people, passions, and ideas that move us, shape the trajectories of our lives, and co-create our wider social landscapes. Partly due to my trajectory in philosophy, technology, & the cognitive sciences, I’m hoping to better observe binary distinctions in our academic & personal lives: What positive roles have these structures played? How might rethinking these structures & their parameters open new paths & ecological potentials? Thank you for being here.