Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers with Prof. Massimo Pigliucci. Complete index by author and source at https://massimopigliucci.org/stoic-podcast/. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen). Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support
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Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 1 day 23 hours 40 minutes
episode 405: 405. Are you a slave, a fool, or what?
From the point of view of someone who has managed to overcome his attachment for externals, people going after riches and luxuries look like fools. Are you one of them?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 404: 404. The problem with fame, wealth and power
Seneca reminds us that in the time of Nero - just like today - famous, rich and powerful people are hiding much evil under a thin coating of titles.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 403: 403. The problem with excessive wealth
Seneca, who knew a thing or two about wealth, warns us about pursuing it. A mind that revels in luxury, he says, is a mind that has lost its balance.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 402: 402. Why are you doing what you are doing?
Seneca reminds us that striving to be a better person is an end in itself, not to be pursued in order to boast to others of our accomplishments.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support401. What brought down Alexander the Great
Seneca reminds us that Alexander the Great conquered everything, except his own destructive emotions, which led to endless grief for him and his friends. Beware, therefore, of reacting in anger to your problems.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 400: 400. Who's got the time?
Doesn't it take time to practice Stoicism? We are all so busy! Here is Marcus Aurelius' response to that question. A response that applies also if you are a Christian, or a Buddhist, among other things.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 399: 399. What's the difference between useful and useless?
Epictetus argues that things are useless or useful not in themselves, but as a result of what we do with them. As usual in Stoicism, the answer comes from within, from our own attitudes toward things.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 398: 398. The definition of courage
Seneca explains that courage has little to do with rushing into battle to face an enemy. It's about how we handle the good and the bad that Fortuna throws our way. Also, wanna play ball with Socrates?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 397: 397. What are we talking about, and why?
Human beings have an unparalleled ability to communicate with each other. And yet, Seneca suggests, much of the time we talk about things that are neither improving ourselves, nor making the world a better place.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 396: 396. On the vanity of mental gymnastics
Philosophers can be clever. Too clever for their own sake, suggests Seneca. Indeed, one measure of wisdom is precisely the ability to tell the difference between cleverness and usefulness.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support