Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied How to Be Smarter (Episode 217)
Jan 6, 2026
Explore the Stoic definition of intelligence and its practical applications. Delve into six components of prudence, including sound judgment, circumspection, and shrewdness. Learn how to cultivate these skills with concrete exercises each week. Discover techniques for improving decision-making, maintaining current perceptions, and honing quick reactions. Engage in deeper evaluations and set clear targets to sharpen your thinking. Each facet leads you to a more ingenious approach to problem-solving in daily life.
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Practical Wisdom Is Choosing Appropriate Acts
- Intelligence (phronesis) is practical wisdom about choosing appropriate acts that serve your aims.
- Caleb links personal intelligence to nature's intelligence and frames it as making excellent, expedient decisions.
Deliberate By Tracing Hits And Misses
- Trace recent successes and failures to make the structure of your good counsel explicit.
- Pause before significant actions and ask if you could explain your choice and execution to someone you respect.
Keep Your Picture Of Reality Current
- Inventory open versus closed issues and audit where you direct attention each day.
- Update stale assessments quickly and prioritize matters still in process to reduce surprises.