Massimo Pigliucci, a Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York and author of 'A Field Guide to a Happy Life,' dives into the principles of Stoicism and how they guide us to live meaningfully. He explores the Dichotomy of Control, emphasizing that our judgments shape our happiness. Massimo discusses the Cardinal Virtues—practical wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—and the significance of acceptance, death, and philosophical journaling in personal growth. His insights reveal how nurturing our inner virtues can lead to a fulfilled life.
56:45
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Human Nature
We possess both good and bad natures, like kindness and greed.
We have choices about which nature to nurture and are responsible for the outcome.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Epictetus' Influence
Massimo Pigliucci's life changed after reading Epictetus, a Roman Stoic.
Epictetus, once a slave, became a respected teacher, even after being exiled by Emperor Domitian.
insights INSIGHT
The Enchiridion's Impact
The Enchiridion is a dense summary of Epictetus's teachings, best read with prior Stoic knowledge.
It has influenced figures from medieval monks to American founding fathers.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this book, Massimo Pigliucci reimagines Stoicism for the modern age, providing 53 concise lessons inspired by Epictetus's Enchiridion. He updates Stoic principles to align with modern values, emphasizing resilience, emotional balance, and social justice. The book serves as a guide to navigating life's challenges with a Stoic mindset, focusing on what can be controlled and letting go of what cannot.
The Enchiridion
Epictetus
Tony Darnell
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
The Enchiridion is a concise summary of the basic ideas of Stoic philosophy and provides techniques for transforming these principles into a way of life. It was compiled by Arrian from the teachings of Epictetus and is notable for its practical advice on moral conduct in various life situations. Unlike the Discourses, which present Epictetus' teachings in a more dynamic and situational context, the Enchiridion is a more structured and concise guide to Stoic living[1][5].
Massimo Pigliucci is a Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York, former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor in chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. His research interests include the philosophy of science, the relationship between science and philosophy, the nature of pseudoscience, and the practical philosophy of Stoicism. He’s the author and editor of many books, including the one discussed in this episode: A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living.
In this episode, Eric and Massimo discuss what Stoicism teaches us about how to live a good and happy life.
But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive content right in your podcast player feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!
Massimo Pigliucci and I Discuss How to Live a Happy Life and…
When you purchase products and/or services from the sponsors of this episode, you help support The One You Feed. Your support is greatly appreciated, thank you!
If you enjoyed this conversation with Massimo Pigliucci, you might also enjoy these other episodes:
The One You Feed 
