Stoic Meditations

Seneca says that his life's journey taught him that much of what we possess is superfluous, and indeed positively gets in the way of living a good life. He ought to know, as we discuss in this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that all too often we care far too much about the opinions of people we do not actually hold in high esteem. If they judge us badly according to mistaken values, the problem is theirs, not ours. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca brings up a parallel between the life of virtue and the art of a sculptor like Phidias. Just like a good sculptor will make the best art that the materials at his disposal permit, so we can be good human beings regardless of the specific circumstances of our lives. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca uses a sailing metaphor to remind us that hardship in life, just like a storm at sea, is what truly tests our virtue, as the storm tests the pilot's skills. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca dispels the stereotype of Stoics as going through life with a stiff upper lip. Stoic training doesn't insulate us from sufferings. It gives us tools to deal with suffering. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca directly takes on the Peripatetics, followers of Aristotle, and criticizes their notion that virtue always lies in the middle. Some things, like insanity, or anger, are not good even in small quantities. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus wonders why people pay attention to outcomes, which are outside of their control, and not so much to planning, which very much is under their control. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca draws a beautiful analogy between the harmonious sounds of an orchestra and the harmonious thinking of a well structured mind. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca suggests that we should alternate between reading and writing in order to truly understand and internalize new concepts. Which, of course, is yet another way to achieve a major goal of Stoic training: arrive at better and better judgments. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca gives this most sensical of advices: read books by others, especially if they disagree with you. Turns out, it's a good way to improve our judgments of things, a major goal of Stoic training. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that -- although we live in the here and now -- we profit from reflecting on our mistakes, so long as we do not indulge emotionally on them. Regret is not a Stoic value. Learning is. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

We take a look at one of the most famous metaphors in Stoicism, the notion put forth by Marcus Aurelius that life is a bit like wrestling: we need to be prepared and alert, because the next move may be unexpected. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that logic is crucial in order to figure out how to live a good life. But logic chopping is actually deleterious to it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that there is a difference among the so-called indifferents. Life, health, and education, for instance, are a bit more highly ranked than your favorite gelato flavor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

In our 300th episode we look at how Seneca very clearly separates Stoicism (the philosophy) from stoicism (the attitude of going through life with a stiff upper lip). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that we should interpret other people's actions and words in a generous manner, instead of conjuring the worst possible scenario. It is, after all, the way we would like to be treated. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus, with his sarcastic sense of humor, reminds a student that he doesn't need to pray to deal with a bad situation. He already has all the tools he needs: courage, fortitude, and endurance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

If the Pope or the Dalai Lama say that being good is its own reward, usually people take it at face value. But if a Stoic says it, they demand logical proof. Let's discuss this. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca gets to the bottom line of Stoic philosophy: If you wish to set a value on yourself, put away your money, your estates, your honors, and look into your own character. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca agrees with Epicurus: fear of death and poverty is crippling, and we need to work toward overcoming it.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support