In this episode, Clay speaks with Dr. Gwen Bradford. Gwen is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Graduate Studies at Rice University. She works in value theory and normative ethics, focusing on achievement, meaning, uniqueness, perfectionism, well-being, and ill-being.
Gwen’s book, Achievement (OUP 2015), which is about the nature and value of achievement, was awarded the 2017 APA Book Prize.
Gwen and Clay focus mainly on Achievement, and how achievement relates to meaning in life. In addition, they discuss the goal of being human according to Aristotle, the ‘Golden Mean’, Plato’s view of leadership, the philosopher’s role in society, difficulty, evil achievements, and why it’s important to engage in conversations that make us uncomfortable.