Philosopher Meghan Sullivan and space architect Ariel Ekblaw don’t usually work at the same altitude … but put them in a room together, and they’ll answer the big questions. Drawing on wisdom from Aristotle to astronauts, they discuss what humans inherently owe each other, what it takes to live a good life and what a rulebook for a better world might look like. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts navigating the ideas shaping our world.)
0:00 – TED Intersections
0:39 – What is the common good?
2:21 – What do we owe each other?
4:02 – Designing a better world
5:34 – The hope for humans
7:18 – The barriers to thriving
10:07 – Systems that influence good
Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:
Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.
Watch more:
TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at
#TED #TEDTalks #philosophy #space
@MrinmoySarkar-u2f8c
September 1, 2026 at 10:33 am
Hello
@MrinmoySarkar-u2f8c
September 1, 2026 at 10:33 am
I am from India
@thomascunning8248
September 1, 2026 at 11:14 am
Liberalism
@lbr88x30
September 1, 2026 at 11:18 am
Greed
@Jasonxbr
September 1, 2026 at 11:20 am
Ask Dolly ❤❤❤❤❤
@ulfhadner
September 1, 2026 at 11:32 am
Billionaire’s
@MrRoberthafetz
September 1, 2026 at 11:57 am
Viktor Frankl answered this question. The meaning of life is a life with meaning.
The Three Sources of Meaning
By creating a work or doing a deed (Creative Values): You find purpose through your contributions, actions, career, creative projects, or goals you accomplish in the world.
Medium
·Rational Badger
+1
By experiencing something or encountering someone (Experiential Values): You find purpose by experiencing goodness, truth, beauty, nature, or culture, and by loving another human being deeply.
Quora
+1
By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering (Attitudinal Values): You find purpose in how you handle hardship, tragedy, or a difficult fate with courage, dignity, and inner strength when suffering cannot be changed.
Medium
·Rational Badger
+1
@theodorearaujo971
September 1, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Aspirational delusions.
@meowmi-s8n
September 1, 2026 at 2:20 pm
as a 15 year old who just opened the video to try and improve her english language, that was amazing ladies
@nicopfeifer4849
September 1, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Questions asked:
What does the common good actually mean and how do we build towards it?
What do we owe each other as humans?
If you could design a better world for humans from scratch, what’s the first rule?
What is a hope you have for humans in the next 10 years?
What is the biggest barrier to human thriving?
How do we build systems that influence the good in each other?
@jkwithme
September 1, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Great discussion! Love to see people share ideas & build off of each other
@chasmenear7130
September 1, 2026 at 7:57 pm
The “Biggest barrier to Thriving” is the most simple yet complex thing in your life. That thing is what is BETWEEN YOUR EARS. The way you approach and view your creativity, and perception is literally EVERYTHING. The ‘man on the mountain ‘ can’t show you – though it’s possible he/she MIGHT get you closer. The best bet (as I can see it) is to simply be open to the moments in front of you, and to be as honest with yourself and the world as you can. Seems like a good start!🙂