The Daily Stoic Ryan Discusses Lives of the Stoics at 92nd Street Y
Oct 25, 2020
Dive into the lives of three notable Stoics and discover how their experiences resonate with modern challenges. Zeno’s shipwreck and Agrippinus’s resilience showcase the core Stoic principles of integrity. Explore Marcus Aurelius's duality as a leader amidst political turmoil and his complex personal struggles. The discussion emphasizes how Stoicism guides ethical decision-making in politics and personal life. Plus, learn the importance of community and mental health in the context of timeless Stoic teachings.
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Zeno's Shipwreck
- Zeno, Stoicism's founder, was a merchant who lost everything in a shipwreck.
- This event led him to a bookstore where he rediscovered Socrates, sparking his philosophical journey.
Conversations with the Dead
- Zeno saw his life events, including the shipwreck, as fated due to a prior prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi.
- This prophecy stated he'd find greatness through "conversations with the dead," which he realized meant studying past philosophers.
Agrippinus's Contrarianism
- Agrippinus, a Stoic, inherited a hatred for tyrants after his father's unjust execution.
- Despite this, he served in judicial roles but remained a contrarian.
