Tanner Campbell on Practical Stoicism (Episode 38)
Apr 28, 2023
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Tanner Campbell, founder of Practical Philosophy and host of the Practical Stoicism Podcast, talks about navigating roles and responsibilities as Stoics, his journey from skepticism to Stoic advocacy, virtue signaling, determining roles and priorities, approaches to Stoicism, and the impact of practical Stoicism on life.
Stoicism provides clarity and guidance in navigating various aspects of life by focusing on cultivating virtue and making morally correct decisions.
One common pitfall in practicing Stoicism is expecting absolute answers and approaches to every situation, as individual roles and circumstances can create complex choices that require thoughtful reflection and practical judgment.
Focusing solely on rigid and absolute rules in Stoicism overlooks the nuanced complexities of life, emphasizing the importance of developing a good character through morally correct decisions aligned with individual roles and circumstances.
Deep dives
The Power of Framing Stoicism as a Path to Developing Good Character
One of the most powerful aspects of viewing Stoicism as a framework for developing a good character is that it provides clarity and guidance in navigating various aspects of life. By focusing on cultivating virtue and making morally correct decisions, everything else falls into place. Roles and responsibilities as a partner, neighbor, renter, or citizen can be examined and understood within this framework. This allows for practical decision-making in areas such as anniversary dinners, voting on important issues, supporting local businesses, and understanding one's responsibilities in various contexts. Stoicism emphasizes the importance of progress towards goodness and understanding that the path is contextual. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and it is essential to consider individual roles and capacities when making decisions. Stoicism offers a way to navigate these complexities and align actions with the development of a good character.
The Complexity of Balancing Roles and Responsibilities
One common pitfall in the practice of Stoicism is expecting absolute answers and approaches to every situation. Stoic teachings recognize that roles and responsibilities can intersect, creating complex choices. For example, choosing between a work obligation and a relationship commitment can be challenging. It is important to remember that each individual's roles and circumstances are unique. Evaluating priorities and considering the impact of decisions is essential. This involves weighing aspects such as one's capabilities, impact on others, and long-term goals. The Stoic path acknowledges that progress is not linear and that the journey involves navigating through these complexities, making choices that align with virtue and personal growth.
The Need for Context in Stoicism and Avoiding a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
A mistake often made in approach to Stoicism is expecting rigid and absolute rules. Stoicism is highly contextual, taking into account individual roles, circumstances, and capabilities. Focusing solely on rules may overlook the nuanced complexities of one's life. Stoicism emphasizes the importance of developing a good character by making morally correct decisions in alignment with individual roles. This requires thoughtful reflection and practical judgment. Context matters when considering how to navigate relationships, work responsibilities, community involvement, and other aspects of life. Recognizing the need for flexible and adaptable approaches allows for a deeper understanding and effective application of Stoic principles.
The Journey of Progress and Embracing Nuance in Stoicism
The journey of progress in Stoicism involves wrestling with complexities and embracing the nuance of individual circumstances. It is important to avoid seeking simplistic solutions or absolutes. Stoicism offers a framework for developing wisdom, resilience, and virtue. It recognizes that everyone's path is unique and influenced by factors such as personal roles, relationships, and societal contexts. Embracing the journey involves making choices aligned with developing a good character and seeking practical solutions that account for the complexities of life. This includes understanding the limitations of one's ability to control external circumstances and focusing on inner growth and ethical living.
The Importance of a Clear Introduction to Stoicism
The podcast discusses the significance of having an accessible and introductory text for those new to stoicism. The speaker emphasizes that while it's important to have a foundation and understanding of stoicism, diving into the more complex aspects of the philosophy can be overwhelming and exclusionary. The fear is that without a proper introduction, misconceptions about stoicism can arise, leading to a misunderstanding of its core principles.
The Reconciliation of Traditional and Modern Stoicism
The conversation explores the relationship between traditional stoicism and modern interpretations. The speaker acknowledges that traditional stoicism includes concepts such as a stoic God, providence, and physics, which may not align with the beliefs of atheists or many modern stoics. However, the discussion highlights that the essential focus of stoicism is virtue as the only good. While some argue that a complete understanding of stoicism should encompass its entire philosophical framework, the importance lies in individuals living virtuously and practicing stoicism, even if they may not fully endorse the theological aspects.
This conversation is with Tanner Campbell., the founder of Practical Philosophy and host of the Practical Stoicism Podcast.
Tanner specializes in bringing Stoicism to a broad audience in a way that is practical and accessible. In this episode, he and Michael Tremblay how to navigate our roles and responsibilities as Stoics, Tanner's journey from being skeptical of Stoicism to a Stoic advocate, and Tanner's relationship with the Stoic God as the former host of an atheism podcast.
(01:16) Introduction
(10:40) Podcast as Practice
(22:55) The Difference That Stoicism Makes
(36:10) Virtue Signaling
(38:37) How Do You Know What Your Roles Are?
(48:14) Common Pitfalls
(50:29) Popularizing Stoicism
(01:01:39) Traditional Stoicism
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