#274 - Donald Robertson - Stoicism: How To Think Like A Roman Emperor
Jan 25, 2021
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Donald Robertson, a psychotherapist and author, explores the timeless relevance of Stoicism, especially the teachings of Marcus Aurelius. He discusses how Stoicism connects with cognitive behavioral therapy and why it appeals to today's youth. The conversation touches on confronting anger, the importance of moral clarity, and how the pandemic has prompted a reevaluation of personal values. Robertson also highlights the often-overlooked humor in Stoic philosophy, providing a refreshing perspective on age-old wisdom.
Stoicism teaches us to face adversity by suspending value judgments and focusing on rational interpretations of events.
The Stoics emphasize self-control, the ability to have discussions without losing temper, and the resonance of their teaching on exile with the experience of quarantine and simplified lifestyles during lockdown.
Stoicism encourages questioning one's values, introspection, and reflection to find meaning in life, promoting continuous self-improvement and resilience.
According to Stoicism, facing adversity is an opportunity for personal growth, promoting virtue, temperance, and self-control to navigate difficult situations and find inner peace.
Deep dives
The relevance of Stoicism in facing adversity
Stoicism offers valuable insights on facing adversity, which is particularly relevant in the current pandemic. The ancient Stoics, such as Socrates and Marcus Aurelius, provide wisdom on how to handle challenging situations. Stoics believe in questioning one's values and focusing on the rational interpretation of events. This means suspending value judgments and broadening our perspective to dilute emotional responses. The Stoics emphasize self-control and the ability to have discussions without losing one's temper. Their teachings on exile also resonate with the experience of quarantine and simplified lifestyles during lockdown.
The importance of objective representation and cognitive distancing
The Stoics highlight the significance of objective representation, which involves describing events in a way that suspends value judgments. This practice helps in moderating the effect of emotions. They also encourage cognitive distancing, where individuals broaden their perspective to balance emotional reactions. By focusing on the facts and gaining a rounded picture of situations and individuals, Stoicism teaches us to avoid getting narrowly fixated on upsetting events. These principles are particularly useful in the age of social media, where emotional manipulation and the spread of inflammatory language are prevalent.
Finding purpose in life through introspection and reflection
The Stoics, following in the footsteps of Socrates, emphasize the value of introspection and reflection in finding meaning in life. Socrates famously said, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' Stoics believe in questioning one's values and exploring them deeply. They advocate for continuous self-improvement and seeking wisdom, even though perfection may not be attainable. By dedicating oneself to this philosophical journey, one can develop resilience and cope with adversity. The Stoics encourage individuals to probe their own inner workings and confront existential crises, ultimately leading to a more robust and fulfilling life.
Facing adversity with equanimity and temperance
According to the Stoics, facing adversity is an opportunity for personal growth. Stoicism promotes the virtue of temperance and self-control in the face of challenging circumstances. The Stoics admired individuals, like Socrates, who remained unruffled even when faced with hostility. They teach us to navigate difficult situations without losing our composure and to view adversity as an occasion to strengthen our character. By cultivating equanimity and acceptance, we can develop resilience and find inner peace amidst life's challenges.
Contemplating mortality and reevaluating values
The podcast explores how various life events, such as the pandemic, facing mortality, and experiencing loss, can lead individuals to reevaluate their values and find meaning in life. These events prompt people to question the activities and behaviors they engage in, and whether they align with their true values and bring them fulfillment. The podcast suggests that contemplating mortality can be liberating and encourages individuals to take stock of what truly matters to them.
Pushing oneself out of comfort zones
The podcast discusses the importance of pushing oneself out of comfort zones in order to overcome adversity and achieve personal growth. It emphasizes that a life driven by avoiding discomfort and seeking pleasure is unlikely to be fulfilling. Instead, individuals should engage in meaningful activities that align with their values and contribute to their personal development. The podcast draws inspiration from the stoic philosophy of undertaking voluntary hardship as a means to test one's resilience and expand one's capabilities.
Challenging prevailing societal norms
The podcast advocates for questioning and challenging prevailing societal norms and values. It suggests that many individuals go through life passively, adhering to societal expectations without truly considering their own desires and values. The podcast encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, take control of their own lives, and pursue a life based on their unique values and passions, even if it means going against the grain and facing criticism from others.
Donald Robertson is a Psychotherapist and an author.
People are getting tattoos of Marcus Aurelius, copies of his Meditations sold out at the beginning of the pandemic and yet he was just some bloke two thousand years ago. What made him so special and what is there to learn from his life?
Expect to learn how stoicism and cognitive behavioural therapy are intrinsically linked, why an existential crisis can be useful, how Marcus Aurelius dealt with his anger, why Donald thinks we lost the wisdom of ancient Greece and much more...
