Stoic Meditations

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744. Just pay attention, will you? Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

When you have assumed these names—good, modest, truthful, rational, a person of equanimity, and magnanimous—take care that you do not change these names; and if you should lose them, quickly return to them.

743. We are part of the universe and have duties toward fellow human beings Dec 01, 2020

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Whether the universe is a concourse of atoms, or nature is a system, let this first be established: that I am a part of the whole that is governed by nature; next, that I stand in some intimate connection with other kindred parts.

742. How to engage people in a discussion Nov 30, 2020

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If someone is mistaken, instruct them kindly and show them their error. But if you are not able, blame yourself, or not even yourself.

741. The link between rationality and sociability Nov 27, 2020

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Marcus Aurelius says that the rational animal is consequently also a social animal. Not exactly. And yet, he was onto something.

740. The Stoics got divination wrong, but cause-effect right Nov 25, 2020

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The ancient Stoics believed in divination, because the world works by cause-effect. They were wrong on the specifics, but correct about the general idea, which is what still today underpins modern science.

739. Isn't the eye the most sophisticated thing you've ever seen? Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

The ancient Stoics used their knowledge of human, animal, and plant anatomy to argue for the intelligence and wisdom of the universe. Similar arguments were still advanced at the beginning of the 18th century.

738. The universe is not the result of random events Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

The ancient Stoics advanced an argument for the intelligence of the universe very similar to the one deployed by modern creationists. The difference is that - given the advances of science - creationists ought to know better.

737. Reason and wisdom, or chance and necessity? Nov 20, 2020

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The Stoics make an argument against the Epicureans about the nature of the universe. For once, it is the Epicureans who got closer t the truth.

736. Is the universe governed by wisdom? Nov 19, 2020

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The Stoics put forth a three-pronged argument to arrive at the conclusion that the universe is governed wisely and providentially. Unfortunately, their argument is both invalid and unsound.

735. Different conceptions of the gods Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

The Stoics rejected the gods of the Olympian pantheon as obvious projections of human psychology. But modern thinking leads to doubts even about the Stoics' own more sophisticated conception of God as Nature.

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