How philosophy can save your life | Jules Evans | TEDxBreda

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey of overcoming mental health struggles through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), inspired by ancient Greek philosophy. They explain how CBT's ABC model of emotions, rooted in Stoic philosophy, empowers individuals to challenge and transform their beliefs and emotional responses. The talk delves into the therapeutic wisdom of Socrates and Epictetus, emphasizing the importance of self-examination and the cultivation of virtuous habits for a meaningful life. It concludes by advocating for the integration of practical philosophy in modern education and therapy to complement CBT's focus on emotional well-being.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Ancient Greek philosophy, particularly Stoicism, has had a profound influence on the development of modern Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• 💡 CBT is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave, drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers.
• 📚 The speaker's personal journey with substance experimentation and subsequent mental health struggles led them to discover and benefit from CBT.
• 👨‍⚕️ Albert Ellis, the founder of CBT, was inspired by ancient Greek philosophy, especially the teachings of Epictetus, to develop his ABC theory of emotions.
• 🔑 The ABC model in CBT suggests that it's not events (A) that cause emotional distress but our beliefs (B) about those events that lead to our emotional responses (C).
• 🤔 Socrates' philosophical method of questioning one's beliefs is a fundamental technique in CBT, encouraging individuals to examine and challenge their thoughts.
• 🏛 The Stoic philosophy emphasizes the importance of focusing on what is within our control, which is primarily our beliefs and reactions, not external circumstances.
• 📈 The speaker highlights the effectiveness of CBT through personal experience and its wide availability due to government support based on its evidence-based outcomes.
• 📘 The ancient Greeks believed in the power of habits and used techniques like maxims, journals, and fieldwork to instill philosophical principles into daily life, which mirrors CBT's approach to habit formation.
• 💭 The script suggests that while CBT is effective for short-term emotional issues, ancient philosophy provides a deeper exploration of virtue, character, and the meaning of a good life.

Q & A

How did the speaker's teenage experiences with drugs lead to mental health issues?

The speaker and their friends experimented with various drugs, which initially led to enjoyable experiences but eventually resulted in mental health issues among their group, such as psychotic breakdowns, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and paranoia. The speaker personally started experiencing panic attacks in university.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how did the speaker discover it?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that helps individuals understand how their thoughts and beliefs influence their emotions and behaviors. The speaker discovered CBT after researching treatments for social anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which they were diagnosed with by a therapist.

Who developed CBT and what was their inspiration?

CBT was developed by American psychologist Albert Ellis. His inspiration came from ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the stoic philosopher Epictetus, who said, 'Men are disturbed not by events, but by their opinion about events.'

What is the ABC theory of emotions as introduced by Albert Ellis?

The ABC theory of emotions states that A stands for Activating events (something that happens to us), B stands for our Beliefs (how we interpret that event), and C stands for the Consequent emotion (the feeling we have as a result of our interpretation).

How does the speaker describe the 'inner voice' and its impact on our emotions?

The speaker describes the 'inner voice' as a running commentary that makes judgments about events throughout the day, often unconsciously and automatically. This inner voice, if left unchallenged, can lead to negative interpretations and emotional problems.

What is the primary message from Epictetus that influenced Albert Ellis?

Epictetus' primary message that influenced Ellis is that we are not disturbed by events themselves, but by our interpretations of those events. This idea is central to Ellis' ABC theory of emotions.

How does the speaker relate the philosophy of Epictetus to personal resilience and control?

The speaker relates Epictetus' philosophy by discussing the division of life into two spheres: things we have control over (our beliefs) and things we don't (external events and other people's actions). The key to resilience is understanding this distinction and focusing on what we can control.

What techniques did the ancient Greeks use to create habits, and how does CBT incorporate similar methods?

The ancient Greeks used techniques such as creating maxims or catchphrases, keeping journals, and engaging in fieldwork or real-life practice to create habits. CBT incorporates similar methods by having individuals repeat ideas to form habits, keep track of their progress through journaling, and practice new behaviors in real-life situations.

Why does the speaker believe that we still need ancient philosophy despite the existence of CBT?

The speaker believes we still need ancient philosophy because it offers beautiful writing and profound insights into virtue and the meaning of life, which CBT does not cover. Philosophy encourages questioning and personal reflection on what constitutes a good life.

What role does habit formation play in both ancient Greek philosophy and CBT?

Habit formation plays a crucial role in both ancient Greek philosophy and CBT as a means to change behavior and thought patterns. Ancient Greeks turned philosophical principles into maxims and practiced them, while CBT uses repetition and real-life application to ingrain new behaviors and thought patterns.