Stoic Meditations

Epictetus notes that people want to be good, regardless of their ethnicity, citizenship, or religion. But then they get lost in arguments over whether it is acceptable or not to eat pork. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells Lucilius that one can learn a thing or two even from Epicurus, particularly that it is the company we keep that is the most important part of our meals. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that his life is finite and brief. How to live it, then? As a good person would, which is in his power to do. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus tells his students that they are fools if they think that being praised is important, particularly by people who they themselves do not think highly of! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells us that anger is a form of temporary madness, not to be indulged by the person who cultivates reason. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius asks himself the rethorical question of whether he has reason, and then the less obvious one of why he is not making good use of it. What about you? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus explains why being blind is far less of a problem than having your mind in the dark. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca explains the Stoic practice of eating poor and scant food, and going outside dressed with old clothes, in order to remind ourselves that we can cope with difficult situations, and to appreciate anew what we have. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius reminds himself to use his faculty of judgment at its best, which includes changing his mind, should others have better reasons than his own. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus mocks a student who is bent on pursuing power and wealth. Those things are neither good nor bad for the Stoics, it's a matter of how we use them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells Lucilius about two levels of engagement with drunken crodws during the holidays. Good to remember for your next Thanksgiving, Christmans, or whatever you celebrate. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius says that there is a difference between objective facts and our opinions of them. And much of our misery comes from the opinions, not the facts. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus tells us that theory is important, and needs to precede practice. But it is the latter that makes the whole thing worth it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus reminds us of the Stoic doctrine that people don't do bad things on purpose, but rather because they are mistaken about the nature of good and evil. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that whether the universe is controlled by universal laws, by a god, or by chance, we still have to do the right thing. And philosophy is our guide for that. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius articulates a series of if...then statements that argue that we are all members of a community of reasoners, and that reason dictates that we be helpful to such community. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus advises us to start practicing with small things. The next time you are sick, try not to curse or complain. You'll discover in you the power of endurance, and you'll be far less annoying to other people... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca tells Lucilius that philosophy is not just a way to amuse the mind, but an exercise to guide our actions and mould our souls. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius here sounds like a Sophist, or a post-modern relativist. But he is a Stoic, so his message is a little more subtle than that. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Even when threatened with your life, says Epictetus, you are the one in charge, you make the decision to yield or not to yield. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support