Stoicism FAQ: Who Should You Read First? What Is up to You? (Episode 2)
Dec 28, 2022
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Caleb and Michael discuss who to read first in Stoicism, focusing on Marcus Aurelius's 'Meditations'. They explore his writing style, consistency in personal transformation, and extreme choices made by individuals. They also delve into the dichotomy of control and the importance of shaping thoughts and character. Lastly, they explore the concept of virtue and the four cardinal virtues in Stoicism.
Starting with Epictetus' handbook provides a strong foundation in stoic principles and better understanding of other stoic philosophers' writings.
Understanding what is up to us, rather than focusing on control, allows us to navigate life effectively and work towards personal improvement and virtue.
Deep dives
Where to Start with Stoic Reading
When starting to explore stoicism, there are various authors recommended to read, such as Ryan Holliday, SML Pigliucchi, and Donald Robertson. However, it is suggested to begin with Epictetus' handbook. The handbook provides a concise summary of key stoic lessons and is written specifically for students and those who may need clarification. Starting with Epictetus allows for a strong foundation in stoic principles, as well as a better understanding of the writings of other stoic philosophers.
Understanding the Dichotomy of Control
The concept of the dichotomy of control is often misunderstood. Rather than focusing on control, the Stoics emphasize what is up to us. This means that our thoughts, decisions, and emotions are within our sphere of influence. While we may not have immediate control over external circumstances or certain aspects of our behavior, what matters is our ability to reflect on situations, make decisions, and shape our character over time. By understanding what is up to us, we can navigate life more effectively and work towards personal improvement and virtue.
The Meaning of Virtue in Stoicism
Virtue, in the context of stoicism, refers to excellent character traits. It is not simply any character trait, but the traits that make a person truly excellent. The four cardinal virtues in stoicism are courage, justice, self-control, and wisdom. These virtues are not separate entities, but different facets of the same thing: knowledge. Virtue is seen as an all-or-nothing concept, where possessing one virtue necessitates possessing the others. Virtue is about aligning oneself with what is true and good, and cultivating character traits that lead to a life of moral excellence.
Constraints on Virtue and the Unity of Virtuous Traits
While there are various character traits that can be admired, not all traits qualify as virtues in stoicism. Virtue must be aligned with what is true and good, and contribute to the pursuit of knowledge and moral excellence. Virtue is not achieved by focusing on one trait in isolation, but by cultivating a holistic understanding and application of all virtues. The interconnectedness of virtues emphasizes the importance of developing character traits together, as they are all expressions of the same underlying knowledge. Admiring a trait in isolation may overlook the overall character and purpose of being an excellent person.
In this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss important commonly asked questions about Stoicism:
- Who you should read first
- The concept of the dichotomy of control
- The meaning of virtue
Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.
Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com
Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros
Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay
Thank you to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
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