In this engaging discussion, Massimo Pigliucci, an accomplished philosopher and author known for his work on Stoicism, dives deep into ancient wisdom. He highlights the influence of Stoic thinkers like Epictetus on modern life, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between what we can control and what we cannot. Massimo shares practical exercises for managing anxiety and navigating life's uncertainties. He also provides insightful strategies for integrating Stoic principles into daily routines, fostering personal growth and balance.
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Stoicism's Influence
Stoicism's control dichotomy influences philosophies like Christianity's Serenity Prayer.
Epictetus' manual even served as a training guide for Christian monks, with minor edits.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Control Your Internals
Focus on what you control: thoughts, impulses (decisions to act), and desires.
Judgments, actions, and desires are within your power; external outcomes are not.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Internalize Your Goals
Internalize goals by focusing on the process, not the outcome.
Desire preparation for a job, not just the job itself; strive to be a loving person, not just to be loved.
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In this book, Massimo Pigliucci provides an introduction to Stoic philosophy, updating it for a contemporary scientific worldview. The book is divided into three main sections, focusing on the disciplines of desire, action, and assent. Pigliucci uses personal anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate how Stoic principles can be applied to everyday challenges, such as managing emotions, making moral decisions, and coping with life's uncertainties. The book emphasizes the distinction between what is within our control and what is not, and offers practical exercises to integrate Stoic practices into daily life.
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].
How to be a Stoic
What can Zeno of Citium teach you about going to the movie theatre?
Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part two of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium.
Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who currently works as professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. He is also the former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor-in-chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. He is a critic of pseudoscience and creationism, as well as an advocate for secularism and science education. Massimo's recent work has focused on stoicism, having written three books on the topic, including 'The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life' and 'How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life'.
Philosophy For Our Times 
