Ryan Holiday and Dr. Michael Gervais discuss topics such as stoicism, identity, the dangers of seeking validation, balancing creativity and approval, mastering what is within our control, understanding behavior and separating the person, embracing the unknown, deconstructing motivation, transitioning to a new chapter after sports, the path to mastery, Beethoven's struggles and resilience, the importance of optimism and perseverance, and supporting the podcast community.
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Quick takeaways
Stoicism emphasizes the virtue of justice and caring for others, debunking the misconception that stoics are emotionless.
Stoicism has evolved over time, adapting to the complexities of engaging in public life.
Modern stoicism recognizes the importance of compassion, fairness, and justice in living a virtuous life.
Stoicism is adaptable, allowing for growth and change to better address the needs of individuals and society.
Incorporating new approaches and modern insights into stoicism can enhance its relevance and comprehensiveness.
Deep dives
Stoicism and the Evolution of Compassion
Stoicism is often associated with being emotionless or robotic, but that is a misconception. Stoics, including famous figures like Marcus Aurelius, led rich and emotional lives. In fact, the virtue of justice, which includes compassion, empathy, and caring for others, is an important aspect of stoicism. Stoicism teaches us to understand and process our emotions, while also making thoughtful decisions based on virtues and principles. Stoics recognized the importance of relationships and the impact we have on others, and they actively participated in politics and society. Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions, but about mastering our emotions and using them as a guide in navigating the world with compassion and care.
The Softening of Stoicism
Stoicism evolved over time, with various interpretations and adaptations by different stoic thinkers. The philosophy started with Zeno in the third century BC and continued for 500 years until figures like Marcus Aurelius. One noticeable change was a softening or improvement of stoicism, influenced by the practical realities of participating in public life. Stoics realized the complexity of the world and the need for compromise and collaboration. They recognized that no perfect solutions exist and that being rigidly self-righteous would hinder their ability to engage and make a positive impact. This evolution of stoicism demonstrates that the philosophy is adaptable and should be applied in a way that aligns with core values, such as courage, discipline, justice, wisdom, and compassion.
The Need for Compassion in Modern Stoicism
In modern stoicism, there is a growing recognition of the importance of compassion and empathy. Stoics understand that emotions play a significant role in our lives and can guide us towards living a virtuous life. While stoicism emphasizes focusing on what we can control and not being overwhelmed by external factors, it does not negate the significance of caring about others and the world. Compassion, fairness, kindness, and an active pursuit of justice are integral to stoicism. By incorporating compassion into stoic philosophy, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
The Evolution of Stoicism and the Possibility of Change
Stoicism has evolved over time, even during its ancient period. There was a softening of stoicism as it adapted to the realities of participating in public life. Stoics recognized the complexity of the world and the importance of engaging with empathy and compassion. In modern times, stoics have continued to explore the philosophy's applicability to our changing world. Neo-stoicism is not bound by strict adherence to ancient texts, but rather is a living philosophy that encourages individuals to take what works from various sources while aligning with stoic values of courage, discipline, justice, wisdom, and compassion. Stoicism's adaptability allows for growth and change to better address the needs of individuals and society.
The importance of incorporating new approaches into stoicism
The podcast discusses the significance of integrating new approaches into the principles of stoicism. The speaker emphasizes that throughout history, people have invented new ways of thinking that have had profound effects on society. These innovative ideas include peaceful problem-solving methods like protests and resistance, which contrast with the Stoics' belief in going to war to solve problems. The speaker argues that it is essential to adapt stoicism to incorporate these new approaches, as long as they align with the core virtues of stoicism.
The relevance of incorporating modern insights into stoicism
The podcast highlights the importance of incorporating modern insights into stoicism. The speaker mentions examples like the understanding of embodied cognition and the impact of our bodily state on our thoughts and actions. They also highlight the influence of factors like the gut biome on our emotions and decision-making. By incorporating these modern insights, stoicism can become more comprehensive and relevant to the complexities of human behavior and the world we live in today.
The value of understanding people's actions and separating behavior from the individual
The podcast explores the importance of understanding other people's actions and separating their behavior from their identity. The speaker emphasizes the need for empathy and kindness, as people's actions are often influenced by external factors or personal circumstances. They highlight the significance of being able to recognize that there is always something happening in people's lives that may contribute to their actions, and understanding this can help manage our emotions and improve our relationships with others.
Importance of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
The podcast explores the importance of finding a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. It emphasizes that while intrinsic motivation is valuable, external recognition and rewards can also play a significant role in driving success. The speaker discusses the need for athletes and performers to be intrinsically motivated but acknowledges that external validation and financial rewards should not be overlooked. The key is to have a combination of both types of motivation to achieve sustainable success.
The Path to Mastery and the Challenges of Success
The podcast delves into the concept of mastery, focusing on the internal journey and commitment to self-improvement. It emphasizes that mastery is a continuous process and not a destination. The speaker highlights the challenges that arise when individuals achieve mastery in their craft and the need to integrate that success into a fulfilling and well-adjusted life. The episode discusses the importance of navigating this transition and maintaining a sense of self beyond one's professional identity. It also touches on the significance of optimism and the ability to persevere through adversity in the pursuit of greatness.
A couple months back I was in Austin doing some promo for The First Rule of Mastery and had the opportunity to be a guest on Ryan Holiday’s incredible podcast, The Daily Stoic.
It’s always such a joy to connect and flow with Ryan – we had a fantastic conversation that I wanted to share here today.
This time around was especially fun… not only was the conversation great, but we also got to record it in Ryan’s epic bookstore, The Painted Porch.
If you’re in or near Austin… you have to check it out. It is awesome. And you might even find a couple signed copies of The First Rule of Mastery lying around ;)
Please enjoy this conversation with me and the ever-insightful Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic.
