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 315: 315. Chance events are not good for you
Seneca builds a simple argument to show that random events, like winning a lottery, are actually not good for you, despite appearances to the contrary.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 314: 314. Much of what we have is superfluous
Seneca says that his life's journey taught him that much of what we possess is superfluous, and indeed positively gets in the way of living a good life. He ought to know, as we discuss in this episode.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 313: 313. When to care, or not, about other people's opinions
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that all too often we care far too much about the opinions of people we do not actually hold in high esteem. If they judge us badly according to mistaken values, the problem is theirs, not ours.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 312: 312. Make your life the best it can be given the materials you are given
Seneca brings up a parallel between the life of virtue and the art of a sculptor like Phidias. Just like a good sculptor will make the best art that the materials at his disposal permit, so we can be good human beings regardless of the specific circumstances of our lives.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 311: 311. Everyone is a good pilot on a calm sea
Seneca uses a sailing metaphor to remind us that hardship in life, just like a storm at sea, is what truly tests our virtue, as the storm tests the pilot's skills.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 310: 310. Treat yourself as you would a sick friend
Seneca dispels the stereotype of Stoics as going through life with a stiff upper lip. Stoic training doesn't insulate us from sufferings. It gives us tools to deal with suffering.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 309: 309. Moderate insanity is not a good thing
Seneca directly takes on the Peripatetics, followers of Aristotle, and criticizes their notion that virtue always lies in the middle. Some things, like insanity, or anger, are not good even in small quantities.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 308: 308. Planning is more important than worrying about outcomes
Epictetus wonders why people pay attention to outcomes, which are outside of their control, and not so much to planning, which very much is under their control.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 307: 307. The orchestra of your mind
Seneca draws a beautiful analogy between the harmonious sounds of an orchestra and the harmonious thinking of a well structured mind.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 306: 306. If you want to understand things, write them down
Seneca suggests that we should alternate between reading and writing in order to truly understand and internalize new concepts. Which, of course, is yet another way to achieve a major goal of Stoic training: arrive at better and better judgments.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support