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 269: 270. Bad judgment is a disease, Stoic practice is the cure
Seneca says that people arrive at wrong judgments about what is valuable or desirable, and a major goal of Stoic training is, accordingly, to make us less unwise about values and desires.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 271: 272. Why virtue is the only good
In this episode we explore a quote from Seneca presenting the Stoic argument for why virtue is the only true good. And if it is, then shouldn't you pursue it above all else?
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 272: 273. Would you buy a car based on its color?
Seneca explains that there are certain attributes of things and people that are important, and others that are irrelevant. Somehow, we keep focusing on the irrelevant ones.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 273: 274. We are all going to die, but until then?
Marcus Aurelius takes for granted that death is a natural and unavoidable end. The real question is what you are going to do between now and then.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 274: 275. Navigating between good and bad fortune
Seneca tells us that virtue is useful not just in order to handle bad fortune, but also, counter intuitively, to deal with good fortune.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 275: 276. The real stature of people
Seneca uses a beautiful analogy to argue that some people may look impressive while they aren't, and other people truly are impressive and yet remain overlooked.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 277: 277. A prepared mind tackles adversity better
Today's quote from Seneca is the root of the modern Stoic technique of premeditatio malorum, a meditation in which we try to get mentally prepared to tackle adversity.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 278: 278. Every good life is complete
Seneca argues that life is not like a journey. Whenever it is interrupted it is a whole life, if we have been living it virtuously.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 279: 279. A little philosophy is a dangerous thing
Epictetus warn us that a little knowledge of philosophy, without proper guidance, can actually turn us onto even more stubborn fools than we were before.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/supportepisode 280: 280. Distribute your wealth like after a banquet
Seneca recalls an ancient Roman custom according to which the host of a banquet would distribute gifts to his friends at the end. Consider doing the same after your life has ended.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stoicmeditations/support