This Game Will Reveal What You Truly Worship | Dr. Arthur Brooks

The Idols Game00:00:00

Dr. Arthur Brooks explains a teaching exercise called 'What's My Idol?' derived from the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. The goal is not to identify what you value most directly, but to systematically eliminate non-idols from four categories: money, power, pleasure, and honor.

Eliminating Power and Money00:01:58

The discussion moves to the practical application of the game, where choices are made to eliminate categories while maintaining a baseline 'population mean.' Dr. Brooks and Jordan Peterson analyze why they personally reject power and explore how money is often a tool for opportunity rather than merely for acquiring possessions.

Understanding Temptation and Self-Knowledge00:08:31

Brooks emphasizes that identifying one's true temptation is a form of power, allowing the prefrontal cortex to manage the limbic system. They discuss how this self-knowledge acts as a tool for personal navigation and emotional control.

Practicing Discernment00:09:03

The conversation shifts to the process of discernment. Brooks shares how he asks his students and children to write 'business plans' for their lives, focusing on existential questions like their purpose and what they would sacrifice their lives for, ultimately helping them define their conditions for satisfaction.