What is Work For? AI, Leisure, and the Search for Meaning | E9 The TAC Podcast

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, John Finley sits down with longtime friend and former Apple enterprise leader Nathan Haggard to explore the intersection of classical philosophy and the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. Nathan shares his unique journey from studying the Great Books at Thomas Aquinas College to spending 16 years at the forefront of the tech industry. Together, they tackle the existential "forcing function" of AI: If technology can eventually do everything humans do, what is left for us? In this episode, we discuss: The AI Paradox: Why the rise of automation is forcing us back to fundamental questions of human value. The Theology of Work: Drawing on Pope John Paul II's Laborem Exercens, we explore why work is a fundamental human vocation, not just a means to an end. Aristotle & the Problem of Leisure: Why the "ruin of society" often stems from an inability to handle free time, and how we can avoid the trap of modern distraction. Pascal's Challenge: Examining the famous claim that all of humanity's problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone. The Integration of Life: Moving beyond "work-life balance" toward a holistic vision of human flourishing. Whether you're interested in the future of the tech industry or the timeless wisdom of the Great Books, this conversation offers a roadmap for maintaining our humanity in an age of machines. Support The TAC Podcast: Subscribe for more deep dives into the Great Books and philosophical inquiry. Visit our website: thomasaquinas.edu Follow us on Social Media: instagram @thetacpodcast Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Pascal's Quote on Solitude 01:05 - Nathan Haggard's Journey: From Great Books to Apple 07:30 - Why "Learning How to Think" is the Only Future-Proof Skill 11:30 - The Nature of Work: What is it Actually For? 14:30 - AI as a Forcing Function for Existential Questions 18:40 - Work as an Imitation of the Creator (Genesis & JP II) 21:30 - The 40-Hour Work Week vs. Human Flourishing 25:00 - What Happens to Society When We Don't Have to Work? 30:30 - Lessons from Mozart & Bach: The Value of Constraints 34:50 - Aristotle on Leisure: The Internal Ruin of Societies 43:40 - Confronting the "World of Distraction" 46:30 - Closing Thoughts: Choosing Priorities with Head, Heart, and Gut   #Philosophy #AI #FutureOfWork #GreatBooks #TheTACPodcast #Aristotle #ArtificialIntelligence #Leisure