#23 Sebastian Purcell: Rootedness, Not Happiness — Aztec Wisdom for a Slippery World

In this episode, we speak with philosopher Sebastian Purcell about his new book The Outward Path: The Wisdom of the Aztecs. Purcell shows that Aztec philosophy offers a strikingly different vision of the good life — one that rejects the modern obsession with happiness and invulnerability in favor of something deeper: rootedness.

We discuss what it means to live a rooted life in a world that feels increasingly unstable — from collective agency and humility to willpower, ritual, and the art of balance. Along the way, Purcell explains how Aztec ethics can help us rethink everything from self-discipline and courage to how we live with technology, social media, and each other.

Links:
Sebastian’s website
Sebastian’s articles on Medium
Sebastian’s book

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#22 Iain Thomson: Why Heidegger Thought Technology Was More Dangerous Than We Realize