Philosophy: Hades, introspection, wealth, misery, and resurrection

2026-05-10

Raw link: YouTube OR Internet Archive

In this 30-minute video I expound on the close connection between deep thought and misery. I do so by explaining the symbolism of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, the world of disembodied souls. Hades is also known as “Plouton”, from the Greek word for “wealth”, which points to a connection between the soul/spirit and wealth. Knowing oneself through introspection is, in a sense, a way to have a more rich experience. Though I caution how when deep thought goes too far it creates a tunnelling effect that makes us feel disconnected from our immediate surroundings and thus overwhelmed by a sense of uneasiness. I discuss how we can become back, as it were, into this world through a process of becoming a somewhat new person. This is our metaphorical resurrection or, better, transanimation that is again symbolised in the myth of Zagreus who dies as Zagreus and resurrects as Dionysus. In this context I even bring up a popular video game, titled “Hades”, whose protagonist is called “Zagreus”, while I also share my personal experience with depressive thinking and my effective reconstitution as a largely different person.