What Martin Seligman has said about Axial Age
1 quote · 1 episode · Oct 24, 2026
Martin Seligman, Psychologist known for learned helplessness research, author of a forthcoming book on agency, has been quoted on Axial Age once in 1 episode of Modern Wisdom, most recently on October 24, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Seligman says that, working with Claude and ChatGPT, he found agency words were absent in 1000 BCE but present in all five Axial cultures by 500 BCE.
“they basically demonstrate that the words don't exist. And that by 500 BCE, all five of these cultures have discovered words about human agency”
Modern Wisdom: Positive Psychology Founder: How To Stop Your Negative Thoughts - Martin Seligman - #1167 (Oct 24, 2026) · Listen from 51:22
Episodes
Positive Psychology Founder: How To Stop Your Negative Thoughts - Martin Seligman - #1167Modern Wisdom · Oct 24, 2026 · 1 h 21 min
Chris Williamson talks with psychologist Martin Seligman about learned helplessness, optimism, his new book Agency, AI and creativity, and the Axial Age.
Martin Seligman on other topics
- Agency (Martin Seligman book) · 3 quotes
- Artificial intelligence · 2 quotes
- Optimism · 2 quotes
- Learned helplessness · 2 quotes
- Positive psychology · 2 quotes
- What You Can Change and What You Can't · 1 quote
- Dreaming · 1 quote
- 2024 United States presidential election · 1 quote