Practical Stoicism Fourth Day of Stoic Christmas
Dec 18, 2025
The hosts kick off with light-hearted banter and holiday shopping woes. They dive into Stoic preparation for public annoyances, using insights from Marcus and Epictetus. A fascinating discussion on how our impressions shape responses in public spaces follows. The episode explores courtesy over confrontation, illustrated by a mall encounter. From defensive driving tips to the dangers of anger, they share playful Stoic suggestions for navigating holiday frustrations. Tune in for a mix of humor and wisdom to brighten your season!
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Prepare Mentally For Public Frictions
- Before entering crowded public spaces, mentally prepare for rude or inconsiderate behavior so you are not surprised or angry.
- Withhold hostile judgments and expect disruptions to keep your composure and avoid escalating situations.
Assent Shapes Desire And Action
- Assent is the Stoic process of choosing which proposition about an impression you accept as true.
- Your chosen description of a situation predicts your desires and thus your actions toward others.
Translate Assent Into Courteous Action
- After you assent to a humane description, let that trigger desires to act courteously and cooperatively.
- Then perform outward actions consistent with that desire: smile, say 'excuse me', or offer help.