Stoic Meditations

Latest Episodes:

84. How to handle the holidays, Stoically speaking Apr 06, 2018

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Seneca tells Lucilius about two levels of engagement with drunken crodws during the holidays. Good to remember for your next Thanksgiving, Christmans, or whatever you celebrate.

83. Harm comes from opinion, take away the opinion, then Apr 05, 2018

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Marcus Aurelius says that there is a difference between objective facts and our opinions of them. And much of our misery comes from the opinions, not the facts.

82. Practical philosophy is called practical for a reason Apr 04, 2018

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Musonius Rufus tells us that theory is important, and needs to precede practice. But it is the latter that makes the whole thing worth it.

81. People do bad things because they are fools Apr 03, 2018

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Epictetus reminds us of the Stoic doctrine that people don't do bad things on purpose, but rather because they are mistaken about the nature of good and evil.

80. Fate, God, or Chance, it doesn't really matter Apr 02, 2018

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Seneca says that whether the universe is controlled by universal laws, by a god, or by chance, we still have to do the right thing. And philosophy is our guide for that.

79. What are you going to do today to improve the human polis? Mar 30, 2018

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Marcus Aurelius articulates a series of if...then statements that argue that we are all members of a community of reasoners, and that reason dictates that we be helpful to such community.

78. Got a headache? Excellent opportunity to practice endurance! Mar 29, 2018

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Epictetus advises us to start practicing with small things. The next time you are sick, try not to curse or complain. You'll discover in you the power of endurance, and you'll be far less annoying to other people...

77. Practical philosophy is not an oxymoron Mar 28, 2018

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Seneca tells Lucilius that philosophy is not just a way to amuse the mind, but an exercise to guide our actions and mould our souls.

76. The universe is transformation, life is opinion Mar 27, 2018

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Marcus Aurelius here sounds like a Sophist, or a post-modern relativist. But he is a Stoic, so his message is a little more subtle than that.

75. Ultimately, it is always your decision Mar 26, 2018

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Even when threatened with your life, says Epictetus, you are the one in charge, you make the decision to yield or not to yield.