Discussing healthy vs unhealthy ambition through a Stoic lens. Exploring the balance between personal goals and Stoic philosophy. Examining the dangers of tying worth to external achievements. Emphasizing self-mastery over external validation. Prioritizing character development over societal views of ambition.
Stoicism promotes ambition focused on self-development and character improvement as the primary goal.
Good ambition involves prioritizing self-improvement and virtues, while bad ambition leads to neglecting essential aspects of personal growth.
Deep dives
Understanding Stoic Ambition
Stoicism promotes ambition directed towards improving one's character, viewing self-development as the primary target for ambition. Epictetus emphasizes the importance of striving to be the best version of oneself, akin to preparing for the Olympic Games. The focus is on personal growth and virtue, ensuring that ambition aligns with becoming an excellent person above all else.
Differentiating Good and Bad Ambition
Good ambition involves prioritizing self-improvement and striving for excellence in all aspects of life, while ensuring that other ambitions do not overshadow the goal of developing one's character. On the contrary, bad ambition occurs when external achievements or roles consume one's identity, leading to a neglect of core virtues and essential aspects of personal growth.
The Perspective of the View from Above
The Stoic concept of the 'view from above' serves as a cognitive exercise to gain perspective and detach oneself from exaggerated concerns. While useful in moderating intense ambitions or attitudes, it should be balanced with a focus on meaningful pursuits and self-improvement, aligning ambitions with virtues and avoiding nihilism or excessive detachment.
Finding Meaning in Ambition
Finding meaning in ambition involves selecting roles and pursuits that resonate with one's values and skills, ensuring that daily progress and personal growth remain central to one's endeavors. Addressing apathy or lack of purpose may involve reevaluating the sources of meaning and adjusting ambitions to align with intrinsic values and goals.
“Show me a man who is not a slave; one is a slave to lust, another to greed, another to ambition.”
– Seneca
In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss how Stoics think about ambition. What does healthy ambition look like? The unhealthy kind? How do you navigate between the two?
Caleb and Michael talk through the Stoic tradition’s answers to these questions.
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