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 335: 335. Virtue is like the sun behind a cloud
Seneca says that when negative developments affect our lives, virtue is like the sun behind a cloud: it keeps shining, and eventually dissipates the clouds.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 334: 334. The fanciness of your scabbard says nothing about the effectiveness of your sword
Seneca uses the analogy of a scabbard and a sword to remind us that external goods, like wealth or health, are indeed preferable, but only in a limited fashion. What's truly important is the shape of our character.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 333: 333. What does it mean to live every day as if it were your last?
Marcus Aurelius advises us to live by avoiding both violent emotions and torpor, and by not being a hypocrite. But also, to treat every day as if it were our last. What does that mean?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 332: 332. The importance of sound judgment
Seneca provides a very clear explanation of the Stoic distinction between virtue and external things, leading to the surprising conclusion that even health is not an unquestionable good.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 331: 331. How to achieve serenity
Seneca talks about a major "side effect," so to speak, of the Stoic stance: achieving tranquillity of mind through the development of an attitude of equanimity.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 330: 330. Virtue is the only good, naturally
Cicero asserts the standard, and apparently paradoxical, Stoic position that virtue is the onyl true good. Let's see why.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 329: 329. Be aware of what you can and cannot change
Seneca says that Nature does not discriminate, it hands out suffering and death to everyone, eventually. But we can still make our life better by developing equanimity toward what we cannot change while trying to change what we can.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 328: 328. How to shape your character
Epictetus reminds us that character is a matter of habit. Willfully change your habits, and you will be on your way toward becoming a better human being.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 327: 327. Welcoming Cicero to our line up
This episode features our first discussion of Cicero. While not a Stoic (he considered himself an Academic Skeptic), he was sympathetic to Stoic philosophy, and frequently borrowed from it to create his own eclectic blend of moral philosophy.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 326: 326. These are your choices
Seneca, building on the Stoic concept of universal causation, reminds us that we don't get to say how the universe works. Our only choices are to accept it (and work within it), or take "the open door," as Epictetus puts it.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support