Discover the essence of Stoic philosophy and the mastery of desire. Uncover the four key principles from Epictetus that differentiate internal control from external wants. Understand how desiring the wrong things can turn us into slaves of circumstance. Learn why true freedom stems from character cultivation rather than material wealth. This insightful discussion delves into personal empowerment, emphasizing that freedom is truly about wanting what you can control.
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Stoic Practice: Mastering Desires
Focus on practicing Stoicism by mastering your desires.
This involves wanting the right things and avoiding the wrong ones.
insights INSIGHT
Three Stoic Disciplines
Stoicism emphasizes three disciplines: desire, action, and assent.
These cover mastering wants and fears, ethical actions, and forming true beliefs.
insights INSIGHT
Handbook 14: Desire
Handbook 14 offers a crash course in the discipline of desire.
Mastering desire is crucial for emotional regulation and preventing negative downstream effects.
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Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Handbook of Epictetus
Enchiridion
Epictetus
Arrian
The Handbook of Epictetus, or Enchiridion, is a compilation of Stoic ethical advice by Arrian from the Discourses of Epictetus. It emphasizes the distinction between things within one's control and those that are not, advising readers to focus on their own actions, desires, and opinions. The book provides practical guidance on how to achieve mental freedom and happiness by accepting what is outside of one's control and living in accordance with nature. It has been influential since its compilation in the early 2nd century and remains a significant work in Stoic philosophy[2][4][5].
Antifragile
Things That Gain from Disorder
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Albino Santos Mosquera
Genís Sánchez Barberán
In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb delves into the concept of antifragility, arguing that some systems not only withstand stress and disorder but actually benefit from them. The book builds on ideas from his previous works, such as 'Fooled by Randomness' and 'The Black Swan', and is part of his five-volume philosophical treatise on uncertainty, 'Incerto'. Taleb provides examples from various fields, including science, economics, and history, to illustrate how antifragility can be achieved and how it contrasts with fragility and robustness. He also discusses strategies like the barbell strategy and optionality, and critiques modern society's attempts to eliminate volatility, which he believes are harmful. The book is praised for its revolutionary ideas and multidisciplinary approach, though it has also received criticism for its style and some of the author's views on mental health and other topics.
Freedom isn't about having enough money to do what you want. It's about wanting what you can actually control. In this episode, Michael breaks down Epictetus's radical handbook chapter 14, revealing the four key principles of Stoic desire – and why wanting the wrong things makes us slaves to circumstance.
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