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Philosophize This!

Episode #190 ... Are emotions a waste of time? - Neo-Stoicism (Martha Nussbaum)

Nov 27, 2023
Delve into the heart-wrenching tale of Hecuba, the Trojan queen, exploring themes of loss and betrayal. Discover how Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Seneca argue that emotions play a crucial role in moral reasoning. Uncover Martha Nussbaum’s insights on integrating classical Stoicism with modern psychology, emphasizing compassion and emotional awareness. Reflect on the importance of emotions for personal growth and ethical development, while critiquing the limitations of traditional political philosophies. It’s a deep yet entertaining conversation about humanity!
31:33

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Emotions should not be disregarded but understood and cultivated as valuable sources of information for moral thinking and expanding ethical horizons.
  • Compassion is a crucial emotion that enhances societal empathy, guides political policies, and identifies gaps in societal rights and protections.

Deep dives

Neo-Stoicism: Rethinking Emotions and Ethical Theory

Martha Nussbaum introduces the concept of neo-stoicism, which aims to build upon classical stoicism by integrating modern psychology and developmental theories. She argues that emotions should not be disregarded but rather understood and cultivated as valuable sources of information. Nussbaum emphasizes the importance of emotional capabilities in fostering moral thinking and expanding ethical horizons. She explores the emotions of compassion, highlighting its potential to enhance societal empathy and guide political policies. Nussbaum also distinguishes between shame and guilt, revealing the latter as a more productive and moral emotion. Additionally, she challenges traditional social contract theories and proposes a capabilities approach that focuses on maximizing human capabilities and accommodating diverse needs and circumstances.

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