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Dr. Shadi Bartsch on Eastern vs. Western Philosophy

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Mar 8, 2023

Guest

Shadi Bartsch

Dr. Shadi Bartsch, a distinguished professor of Classics at the University of Chicago, discusses her insightful book on the intersection of Greek classics and Chinese nationalism. She reveals surprising parallels between Eastern and Western philosophies and explores the role of Stoicism in resilience and mental discipline. The conversation dives into contemporary ethical dilemmas, critiques cultural heritage, and emphasizes the importance of understanding philosophical teachings contextually. Bartsch invites listeners to embrace the complexities of historical narratives and philosophical ideals.

01:04:43

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Trainer's Interest

Shadi Bartsch's trainer enjoys Ryan Holiday's podcast.
This led to a discussion about Stoicism and physical discipline.

insights

INSIGHT

Stoicism and Training

Physical training embodies Stoic principles of self-control and discipline.
It demonstrates the mind's power over the body.

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ANECDOTE

China's Intellectual History

Chinese nationalism now emphasizes their own classics.
A Chinese historian claims the West fabricated its intellectual history to compete.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Intersection of Stoicism and Physical Training

05:10 • 2min

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Mind Over Matter: Philosophical Reflections on Control

07:09 • 21min

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Cultural Critique: The Clash of Eastern and Western Philosophies

28:13 • 4min

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Philosophical Parallels: East vs. West

32:32 • 11min

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Ancient Texts and Modern Interpretations

43:42 • 7min

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Philosophy and Cultural Heritage: A Complex Interplay

50:42 • 18min

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Embracing Complexity in Historical Interpretations

01:08:19 • 3min

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Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

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The Aeneid

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The Aeneid, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, is a monumental work of classical literature. It follows the journey of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, as he navigates from the ruins of Troy to Italy, where he is destined to found the city of Lavinium, a precursor to Rome. The poem is divided into 12 books, with the first six detailing Aeneas' wanderings and the second six describing the war in Italy against the Latins. The epic incorporates various legends and mythological elements, glorifying traditional Roman virtues and legitimizing the Julio-Claudian dynasty. It explores themes such as duty, fate, and the relationship between the individual and society, and has had a profound influence on Western literature.

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Aristotle's Poetics

Aristotle

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Plato Goes to China

Shadi Bartsch

This book examines the ways in which Chinese nationalist thinkers have utilized Greek classical texts, particularly in the context of China's modernization and political shifts. It highlights two distinct waves of engagement with these texts: one during the early twentieth century and another following the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. The book explores how figures like Plato and Aristotle have been interpreted to support or critique Western democracy and the Chinese socialist system.

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Persius

A Study in Food, Philosophy, and the Figural

Shadi Bartsch

This book delves into Persius' unique blend of Stoic philosophy and satire, analyzing how he uses metaphors of food and digestion to critique literary and social conventions. Bartsch argues that Persius aims to turn readers away from metaphor in favor of abstract Stoic truths. The study provides a rich cultural and historical context for understanding Persius' complex and often unsettling imagery.

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The mirror of the self

Shadi Bartsch

In *The Mirror of the Self*, Shadi Bartsch delves into the complex interplay between vision, sexuality, and self-knowledge in ancient Roman culture. By weaving together literary theory, philosophy, and social history, she traces how ancient authors used mirrors as tools for both ethical self-improvement and erotic self-indulgence. The book offers fresh insights into seminal works, revealing divided selves, moral hypocrisy, and the role of Stoicism in shaping Roman self-perception.

Ryan speaks with Dr. Shadi Bartsch about her new book Plato Goes to China: The Greek Classics and Chinese Nationalism, the controversial role that Greek classics are taking in China, the surprising similarities between western and eastern philosophical interpretations, and more.

Dr. Shadi Bartsch is an American academic and author and the Helen A. Regenstein Distinguished Service Professor of Classics at the University of Chicago. Shadi is an expert on Roman Stoicism, the reigns of Hadrean, Nero, and Augustus, and The Aeneid, which she translated in 2021. She has written and/or edited thirteen books, including the acclaimed Persius: A Study in Food, Philosophy, and the Figural and The Mirror of the Self: Sexuality, Self-Knowledge, and the Gaze in the Early Roman Empire. Shadi can be followed on Twitter @ShadiBartsch.

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