The One You Feed William Irvine on Applied Stoicism
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Apr 19, 2022 William Irvine, a philosophy professor at Wright State University and author of "The Stoic Challenge," dives into the practical applications of Stoicism. He discusses how to manage anger by harnessing emotions rather than suppressing them. Irvine emphasizes the importance of recognizing our desires and the fleeting nature of life, urging listeners to engage in negative visualization for greater appreciation. He introduces a nuanced framework for understanding control in relationships and highlights the value of setting grand goals over seeking mere happiness.
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Triune Brain
- Humans possess a triune brain: reptilian, mammalian, and rational.
- The rational brain often rationalizes desires from the other two parts, causing misery.
Managing Anger
- Don't just suppress or express anger; aim to avoid it altogether.
- Quickly divert angry impulses for better purposes, like the mahout guiding an elephant.
Negative Visualization
- Practice negative visualization by briefly considering the loss of things you value.
- This helps appreciate what you have and reduces dissatisfaction.
