Truth and Relativity

Through the example of a city, Alan encourages his listeners to reevaluate the definition of their personal identities. Is a person a fully autonomous agent, or might they be a cell in a vast organism? Perhaps it’s necessary to understand both perspectives and recognize that each scale of magnitude depends on all others to manifest as it does. Originally broadcast on KPFA as episode 14 of the Philosophy East and West series.

On G. K. Chesterton

https://alanwatts.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/on-g-k-chesterton.mp3 00:00 I want you to have in mind an enormously fat man wearing a black cloak and a rather large, wide-brimmed hat, with pince-nez secured to his nose, and prevented from destruction by a large,...

Man is a Hoax

https://alanwatts.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/man-is-a-hoax.mp3 00:00 Now, I’m particularly interested in what Dr. Weaver said about the attitude of the family to children. Because we have an absolutely extraordinary attitude—in our culture and in various other...

Sense of Nonsense

In this public radio broadcast, Alan explores the origin of the desire for meaningfulness. In the search for satisfaction, what is it that is really sought for or yearned after? The talk turns from academic discussion into poetry. What is the meaning of significance?

Love of Waters

https://alanwatts.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/love-of-waters.mp3 00:00 Do you mind if I talk for a while about something I love; about water and the ocean? Ever since I can remember anything at all, the light, the smell, the sound and motion of the sea has been...