In this episode I dig into the Stoic approach to diet and the perennial “should Stoics eat meat?” question. I lay out what “living in accordance with Nature” really means (Logos, not tree-hugging shorthand), why eating animals isn’t inherently un-Stoic, and where our reasoning can go vicious—especially with industrialized, commodified animal agriculture. I also talk through practical ways contemporary Stoics can eat more justly without pretending to be sages or purists.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— “According to Nature” = aligning choices with the Logos (the rational order of the cosmos), not suppressing feelings or chasing outcomes.
— Eating meat is a Stoic indifferent; what matters is the reasoning and method behind it. Killing as part of a balanced, natural cycle can be compatible with virtue; factory-style exploitation is not.
— Outcome-chasing (“ends justify the means”) isn’t Stoic. We judge the justice of our choices, not their hoped-for results.
— A sage-like pattern would be seasonal, mostly plant-forward eating, with animal products used thoughtfully and sparingly, sourced in ways that allow other beings to flourish.
— Practical steps: favor small/ethical producers, reduce single-use indulgence, buy what you need, recycle/compost, and treat dining-out choices with awareness (while accepting we won’t be perfect).
— The real Stoic question isn’t “meat or no meat?” but “Is how this food was produced—and why I’m choosing it—truly in accordance with Nature?”
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