Philosophies that helps one thrive — these are the arguments of each chapter of Midlife, by Kieran Setiya:
2. Is that all there is?
According to the paradox of egoism, in order to be happy, we must have our minds fixed on some object over than our own happiness.
We must also make room for both things of existential and ameliorative value.
3. Missing out
Missing out is inevitable. It is a consequence of the plurality of values.
Do not overestimate the value of having options over the chosen options themselves.
There is a cost to envying our younger selves: not knowing what you will not do entails not knowing what you will do.
4. Retrospection
We must be glad for mistakes as they give us new life.
Risk aversion is a human tendency. We must weigh unchosen possibilities against the uncertainties they hold.
In reference to attachment to particulars: We should value what we have over those we do not have.
5. Something to look forward to
Regarding death:
Give equal weight to past and future gains and losses.
To want the benefit of immortality is to want what lies beyond the human condition.
6. Living in the present
We must transition from a telic to an atelic orientation — that is, we must direct ourselves to engage with projects that do not necessarily have an ‘end’ , i.e. doing things for the sake for the sake of doing them instead of focusing on reaching the end of a project/goal.