From Stocking Groceries to Reading Philosophy for a Living — Stephen West of Philosophize This!
Tim FerrissKey Moments
From stocking groceries to a philosopher, Stephen West shares his journey on Philosophize This! podcast.
Key Insights
Stephen West's journey from homelessness and stocking groceries to hosting the "Philosophize This!" podcast is rooted in a deep personal need for understanding and mentorship.
Philosophy, for West, is not an abstract academic pursuit but a practical tool for 'disrupting common sense' and re-framing reality, accessible to anyone willing to engage.
Inspiration for "Philosophize This!" came from a desire to make complex philosophical ideas humanizing and accessible, drawing parallels to figures like Dan Carlin.
West emphasizes that success in creative endeavors like podcasting doesn't require genius but courage, authenticity, and resonance with existing cultural sentiments.
His approach to podcasting involves continuous iteration, audience feedback, and a commitment to 'long game' meaning over short-term efficiency.
The pursuit of philosophy can offer practical tools for navigating life's challenges and fostering self-awareness, even if it's not a panacea.
Mysticism and direct experience of the 'divine' or 'numinous' offer insights beyond philosophical abstractions, highlighting the limitations of purely intellectual approaches.
UNEXPECTED ORIGINS AND EARLY STRUGGLES
Stephen West's path to philosophy and podcasting began with significant hardship. After dropping out of high school at 16 due to a tumultuous childhood, including time in foster care and homelessness, he supported himself by stocking groceries and working in a warehouse. Despite these challenges, he felt a deep need for mentors and sought wisdom through unconventional means, like Googling 'wisest person in history,' which led him to Plato and Socrates and ignited his lifelong passion for philosophy.
THE WAREHOUSE AS A PHILOSOPHICAL SEMINARY
West's physically demanding warehouse job, though brutal, provided an unlikely sanctuary for intellectual growth. The repetitive labor and isolation allowed him to listen to audiobooks for up to ten hours a day. This period was formative, exposing him to a wide range of philosophy and contemplative works. He realized the value of this time, not just for knowledge acquisition, but as a unique opportunity that wouldn't be available in more conventional jobs, shaping his perspective on work and learning.
REDISCOVERING PHILOSOPHY AND REFRAMING ITS PURPOSE
West found philosophy to be a crucial tool for processing his past trauma and navigating life's complexities. He rejects the notion of philosophy as mere academic jargon, instead defining it as 'the disruption of common sense.' For him, it's a dynamic practice, a 'gym for rethinking,' that encourages individuals to deliberately question their assumptions and conceptual frameworks, thereby opening up new possibilities and ways of understanding reality. This practical, action-oriented view of philosophy is central to his work.
LAUNCHING 'PHILOSOPHIZE THIS!' AND FINDING A VOICE
Motivated by a realization that he didn't need to be a genius to share resonant ideas (inspired by Emerson), West decided to launch his podcast. He consciously aimed to create content that was humanizing and accessible, unlike some more academic philosophy resources. Drawing inspiration from figures like Dan Carlin, he focused on authenticity and connecting with listeners on a personal level. His early episodes, though raw, laid the foundation for a unique approach that resonated deeply.
THE 'LONG GAME' AND THE VALUE OF MEANING OVER EFFICIENCY
West prioritizes meaning and authenticity over strict efficiency in his work and life. He advocates for playing the 'long game,' investing in work that feels truly significant, even if it's not the most productive by conventional metrics. This philosophy extends to his creative process, where he allows his genuine interests and the feedback from his audience to guide his exploration of topics, ensuring the content remains meaningful and sustainable for the long term.
EXPLORING DEEPER QUESTIONS: MYSTICISM, RELIGION, AND AMOR FATI
As his understanding has evolved, West has delved into areas beyond traditional philosophy, including mysticism, religion, and concepts like 'amor fati' (love of fate). He acknowledges the limitations of philosophy in addressing existential challenges and finds value in practices and thinkers that explore direct experience and embodied understanding. His exploration of these themes demonstrates a commitment to a holistic approach to wisdom, integrating intellectual inquiry with lived experience and introspection.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Stephen West, after dropping out of high school at 16, felt a need for mentors outside of formal education. He literally Googled 'wisest person in the history of the world,' which led him to Plato's dialogue 'Gorgias' and the figure of Socrates. This initial exposure hooked him and set him on a path of self-directed philosophical study, eventually leading to his podcast. His experience working in a warehouse allowed him 10 hours a day to listen to audiobooks and talk radio, which further cultivated his interest.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A fabric store where Stephen West worked an early morning shift in addition to Safeway to make ends meet.
A philosophical work by Wittgenstein that uses the metaphor of a ladder to describe how philosophical arguments lead to new perspectives, after which the ladder can be discarded.
A French philosopher, social activist, and mystic, described as a top-five favorite philosopher for Stephen West due to her concept of 'attention' and self-emptying.
A philosopher who died in the 90s, known for his 'bizarre' philosophy that views everything in terms of verbs and machines rather than fixed concepts.
A friend of Stephen West who was a shoutcaster for esports and encouraged him to try something in media, impacting his decision to start a podcast.
Philosopher who wrote 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' and used the ladder metaphor for philosophical understanding.
A book by Simon Blackburn that defines philosophy as conceptual engineering.
A political ideology that Simone Weil was skeptical of in the early 20th century.
A book by William Irvine that comments on Epictetus, recommended as a secondary source for understanding Stoicism.
A professional drummer and friend of Tim Ferriss who sent him an article about Stephen West, leading to this interview.
A popular book and film series mentioned as an alternative genre Stephen West could have explored instead of philosophy.
Co-host of the talk radio show 'Loveline' (likely implied by 'Dr.').
A seafood restaurant in Seattle where Stephen West's friend, Scott, worked as a server.
A philosophical podcast mentioned by Stephen West as being popular and influential in the early days of podcasting.
Philosopher who wrote 'Think' and describes philosophy as conceptual engineering.
Isaac Newton's landmark work, which reveals the historical role of natural philosophy before scientific specialization.
Author of 'A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy', cited as a secondary source for Stoicism.
The agency that took Stephen West from his parents at age nine and again later, placing him in group homes and foster care.
A podcast hosted by Peter Adamson, noted by Stephen West as influential in early podcasting.
A book by Sam Harris that, along with 'The God Delusion', introduced Stephen West to philosophical thinking from a new atheist perspective.
A book likely by Sam Harris, mentioned as part of the 'new atheism' literature that influenced Stephen West.
A philosophical work by Seneca the Younger, which Tim Ferriss listed as influential.
A Hellenistic philosophy focused on maximizing joy and pleasure, which Tim Ferriss struggled to find resources on.
One of the Hellenistic schools of thought, famously associated with Diogenes.
A dense philosophical book mentioned by Stephen West as an example of what beginners should not start with.
A deeply philosophical book by Ralph Pototts that had a huge impact on Tim Ferriss.
An esports game, mentioned in context of Jimmy Weisenhunt being a shoutcaster for esports.
Co-host of the talk radio show 'Loveline'.
A collection of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson, recommended by Stephen West as a starting point for Emerson's work.
A book by Richard Dawkins that initially propelled Stephen West into the 'new atheism' movement.
Writer for The Atlantic who wrote an article about Stephen West's background.
Roman Stoic philosopher, author of 'Moral Letters to Lucilius' (Letters from a Stoic), which Tim Ferriss also took with him traveling.
Host of the 'History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps' podcast, who Stephen West recognizes as smart and talented.
A Christian mystic whose stories Stephen West finds fascinating.
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