Can ancient Stoic techniques help us decode modern literature and improve our lives?
In this Visitas Thinks Big 2022 lecture, Harvard Professor Beth Blum explores the intersection of literature and the self-help industry, demonstrating how specific philosophical techniques can reshape our perspective on both.
Professor Beth Blum, an assistant professor of English at Harvard, examines the unexpected connections between literary history and the modern drive for self-improvement. Her research investigates how works by authors such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett can be viewed through the lens of contemporary advice-seeking, even suggesting that Beckett's writing might resonate with business leaders.
The presentation focuses on 'therapeutic redescription,' a technique rooted in Stoicism. Blum demonstrates how applying this method of reframing can serve as a tool for both deeper literary analysis and personal growth.
Source: Beth Blum - Visitas Thinks Big 2022 - Harvard University
