The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

#126 Nancy Sherman: Soldiers and Stoics

Dec 14, 2021

Nancy Sherman, a distinguished philosopher and ethics expert at the Naval Academy, dives into the powerful links between Stoicism and military honor. She discusses how ancient philosophies can help manage emotions and enhance decision-making in high-pressure environments. Sherman shares techniques for building resilience and emphasizes the difference between honor and virtue. Listeners gain insights into self-control, cognitive biases, and effective communication strategies, alongside practical stoic exercises to navigate relationships with empathy and self-compassion.

01:09:51

Episode guests

Nancy Sherman

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Low Road Emotions

01:08

Using Philosophy to Reduce Stress

02:19

Are There Ways to Do Than We Can Use?

01:37

Do They Tie Honor and Glory to Virtue?

03:06

Intro

4min

A Journey Through Learning: From Anthropology to Philosophy

2min

Stoicism and Military Ethics

17min

Philosophy and Self-Control

20min

Cultivating Resilience Through Stoic Philosophy

3min

Navigating Cognitive Biases and Communication

14min

Navigating Relationships Through Stoic Wisdom

2min

Exploring Stoic Practices of Empathy and Self-Compassion

6min

What can we learn from the intersection between the fundamental tenets of Stoicism and military heroism? Author and professor Nancy Sherman uses her extensive experience in both subjects to discuss why there’s much to gain from examining ancient Greek and Roman philosophies and how to use their teachings today. On this episode Sherman explores how to gain control of your emotions, Stoic techniques for decision making, building resilience, the difference between honor and virtue, and much more.
Sherman is a Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University, and she is also the inaugural Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the United States Naval Academy. She has written extensively during her career on the Stoics, and her most recent book is Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience.

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