About this episode

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins Randall Kenneth Jones to discuss the philosophy of mattering and the human search for meaning.

What does it mean to matter? Why do humans seek meaning, purpose, and recognition? Award-winning philosopher, public intellectual, and bestselling author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones to explore the psychology and philosophy of mattering, human identity, morality, and the search for meaning. Goldstein is the author of ten acclaimed books blending philosophy, science, literature, and human psychology, including: 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction Betraying Spinoza: The Renegade Jew Who Gave Us Modernity The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us In this fascinating conversation, Goldstein and Jones examine why humans are driven by the need to matter—and how that instinct influences everything from personal relationships and self-worth to politics, prejudice, and cultural identity. Goldstein earned her Ph.D. in philosophy of science from Princeton University and has taught at Yale, Columbia, NYU, Dartmouth, and Harvard. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" Grant, and has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation…

People in this episode

Host: Randall Kenneth Jones

Guest: Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

Topics covered

• philosophy
• human identity
• meaning
• morality
• psychology
• education

Keywords

• mattering
• philosophy
• identity
• morality
• psychology
• education
• meaning
• human nature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Princeton University, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Dartmouth, Harvard, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Guggenheim Foundation, Radcliffe Institute, Whiting Foundation

More episodes of ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones

• 219: Pat Benatar KNOWS Words, Music, Priorities, Perseverance, Curiosity & Creativity · April 17, 2026 · 39 min
• 218: Susan Bennett KNOWS The Arts, Humanities, Creativity, Connection & Siri · April 1, 2026 · 33 min
• 217: Tina Chiang KNOWS Risk, Reward, Faith, Purpose, BritBox & Sister Boniface Mysteries · March 11, 2026 · 53 min
• 215: Patrick Ryan KNOWS Fiction, Wordplay, the Human Condition, Literary Success, Jenna Bush Hager and BUCKEYE · February 5, 2026 · 56 min
• 214: Scott Eyman KNOWS Hollywood, Perception, Reality, Film History, and Joan Crawford · January 22, 2026 · 41 min
• 213: John Abendshien KNOWS Movies, Healthcare, Curiosity Gone Wild, Human Nature, Kevin McCallister & Home Alone Home Ownership · December 19, 2025 · 34 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones podcast page.