Massimo Pigliucci

K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy, City College of New York

This episode will air on Thursday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Always ask yourself: why it is that you're doing what you're doing.

Summary

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Professor Massimo Pigliucci, K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York, for an in-depth conversation on his journey from science to philosophy. Pigliucci recounts his early influences, including his adoptive grandfather and high school philosophy teacher, and reflects on his transition from biology to philosophy, shaped by mentors and personal challenges. He delves into stoicism, sharing practical tools for managing emotions, stress and life’s uncertainties. Pigliucci also discusses his book The Quest for Character, exploring leadership through the lens of Socrates and Alcibiades, and emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s motivations, developing character and applying philosophical principles to modern leadership and personal growth.

Mentions & Resources in this Episode

• The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders by Massimo Pigliucci

• How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life by Massimo Pigliucci

• How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy by Massimo Pigliucci

Guest Bio

Prof. Pigliucci has a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. He is currently the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His research interests include the philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophies like Stoicism and New Skepticism.

Prof. Pigliucci has been elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for fundamental studies of genotype by environmental interactions and for public defense of evolutionary biology from pseudo-scientific attack.” 

In the area of public outreach, Prof. Pigliucci has published in national and international outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, among others. He is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a Contributing Editor to Skeptical Inquirer. He writes on practical and general philosophy at Medium. 

At last count, Prof. Pigliucci has published 176 technical papers in science and philosophy. He is also the author or editor of 16 books, including the best-selling How to Be A Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books). Other titles include Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press), and the forthcoming The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders (Basic Books).

Episode Transcript

Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.