William Irvine, an emeritus philosophy professor and author, dives into Stoicism and its relevance in modern life. He shares his personal journey into Stoicism, sparked by a midlife crisis. Listeners learn strategies for handling insults and managing anger through humor. The conversation covers reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth and emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships over fame. Irvine also explores the dual impact of social media on society and how Stoicism can bolster psychological resilience amidst life's challenges, including the ultimate test of death.
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Irvine’s Midlife Stoic Journey
William Irvine's midlife crisis led him to explore Stoicism deeply after an attempt at Zen Buddhism.
This exploration profoundly impacted his life and inspired him to teach Stoic philosophy broadly.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Negative Visualization Daily
Practice negative visualization by imagining losing something valuable momentarily to appreciate it more.
Use this as a mental reset to uncover gratitude and counteract taking things for granted.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Train Your Psychological Immune System
Build your psychological resilience by exposing yourself to manageable setbacks and discomforts regularly.
This mental training expands your comfort zone and prepares you for bigger challenges.
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A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient
William B. Irvine
In "The Stoic Challenge," William B. Irvine presents a practical guide to applying Stoic philosophy to overcome challenges and build resilience. The book delves into core Stoic principles, such as negative visualization and the dichotomy of control, offering exercises and techniques to help readers develop mental toughness. Irvine emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-improvement, encouraging readers to confront their weaknesses and strive for virtue. He provides real-world examples and relatable anecdotes to illustrate the principles, making the philosophy accessible and engaging. The book is a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their emotional well-being and navigate life's difficulties.
On Desire
William B. Irvine
In 'On Desire', William B. Irvine delves into the nature of desire, exploring its psychological, philosophical, and evolutionary roots. He discusses various philosophical and religious perspectives on desire, including those from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Stoicism. Irvine also advances a theory on how desire evolved and suggests that lasting happiness can be achieved by changing one's desires rather than the world.
How to boost your psychological immune system, the stoic way.
William “Bill” Irvine is the emeritus professor of philosophy at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is the author of eight books that have been translated into more than twenty languages, including Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy and Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient.
Bill is one of many great teachers featured on Waking Up, a top-notch meditation app with amazing teachers and a ton of courses for all levels. If you subscribe via this link: wakingup.com/tenpercent, you’ll get a 30-day free trial—and you’ll be supporting the 10% Happier team, too. Full and partial scholarships are available.
In this episode we talk about:
How Bill was first introduced to Stoicism (the story involves a midlife crisis and a banjo.)
The comparison between Stoicism and Buddhism
Psychological strategies for attaining equanimity
The practice of negative visualization
Stoic approaches to handling anger and insults
How to reframe setbacks as tests
Stoicism VS emotional suppression
Tools for navigating the challenges of our digital age
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
