Stoic Meditations

Seneca claims that flattery is a subtle enemy of our work toward becoming better persons. Too readily we agree with those who tell us that we are good, sensible, holy even. What's a good attitude toward praise, then? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca argues that we want joy in life, and we want it to last. And yet, we insist in seeking it in all the wrong places, from ephemeral pleasures to the fickle praise of others. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Let's talk about the ancient Roman goddess Fortuna, or what the Greeks called Tyche, to whom Seneca often refers in his letters to Lucilius. Why does she play such an important role in Stoic philosophy? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca is critical of the fact that many ships are required to convey the requisites for a single meal, bringing them from no single sea. Still today so many people indulge in pleasures that cost a lot and cause much environmental damage. Time to revise our priorities about where our food comes from? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus articulates the Stoic equivalent of "no pain, no gain," in part as a rebuke to the Epicureans. Engaging in social and political life is painful, but it's the right thing to do. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus engages in a short dialogue with one of his students, asking him a trick question. How would you answer the question of whether pleasure is a good thing, something to be proud of? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus tells us that, regardless of how people around us behave, we should keep following our moral compass, just like an emerald keeps its color regardless of what others are doing. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds Lucilius that a full human life is about being useful, and particularly about helping others. Sure, you can withdraw from the world and live in peace, but then you are arguably already dead. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca clarifies one of the famous Stoic paradoxes: no, you shouldn't live every day as if it were your last. But you should live every day to the fullest because you don't know which one will be your last. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca suggests that we should change our attitude toward being busy: don't surrender yourself to your affairs, but loan yourself to them and you will live a happier life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support