Stoic Meditations

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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Eine durchschnittliche Folge dieses Podcasts dauert 2m. Bisher sind 1095 Folge(n) erschienen. Jeden Tag erscheint eine Folge dieses Podcasts.

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 1 day 23 hours 40 minutes

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episode 355: 355. If someone can withstand fire or exile, surely you can overcome something...


Seneca lists an impressive gallery of ancient Roman role models, who have done brave things to safeguard their ideals. Surely, then, we can find the courage to overcome our comparatively small problems in everyday life, no?

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 April 30, 2019  3m
 
 

episode 354: 354. Don't suffer before it is necessary


Seneca reminds us that the future is not under our control, and that the best way to prepare for it is to act here and now, where we actually have causal efficacy.

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 April 29, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 353: 353. The skill of the pilot is independent of the value of the cargo


Cicero uses a metaphor involving ship pilots and their cargo to remind us that a more or less valuable "cargo" doesn't make us better or worse "pilots." It is our skills, that is our virtue, that make the difference.

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 April 26, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 352: 352. The universe is morally neutral


Seneca, differing from Epictetus in a metaphysical sense, says that the universe is - as we would put it - morally neutral to us. What matters, then, is how we handle so-called "good" and "bad" things.

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 April 25, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 351: 351. A long life is like a long journey: there is bound to be rain and mud on the way


Seneca uses a colorful analogy between life and a journey. Sure, we'd like to live longer, but when the journey is longer a number of unpleasant things are bound to happen, like rain and mud. Just bring good gear with you for the trip.

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 April 24, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 350: 350. Want to be alive? Pay the taxes of life


Seneca uses an interesting economic analogy to remind us that the privilege of being alive comes with the tax of suffering setbacks and losses. Understanding this helps us to cope with problems and even to look forward to them as further exercises in virtue.

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 April 23, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 349: 349. Expand your circles of concern


Seneca says that it is natural for us to be virtuous. Modern scientists say that it is natural for us to be prosocial. Either way, it is reason that allows us to expand our instinctive circles of ethical concern.

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 April 22, 2019  3m
 
 

episode 348: 348. It's far easier to change yourself than others


Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we spend far too much time trying to change other people, which is outside of our control, and too little time attempting to improve ourselves, which we certainly have the power to do.

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 April 19, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 347: 347. The problem with expensive meals


Seneca echoes the advice of Musonius Rufus when he says that we don't need to pay for extravagant meals with ingredients brought from all over the world. Every time we sit at the table to eat we have a chance to exercise temperance.

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 April 18, 2019  2m
 
 

episode 346: 346. We should prosecute our politicians and generals


Continuing his criticism of the state's war machine, Seneca exhorts us to prosecute our politicians and generals for the crimes they commit in our own name.

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 April 17, 2019  2m