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.
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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.
question_answer ANECDOTE
China's Intellectual History
Chinese nationalism now emphasizes their own classics.
A Chinese historian claims the West fabricated its intellectual history to compete.
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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.
The Aeneid
Virgil
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[2][3][4].
Plato's Republic
Plato
Analects
Sarah Allan
Confucius
Arthur Waley
The Analects is a classic text that addresses practical issues of life and conduct through dialogues, stories, and anecdotes. Confucius's teachings focus on virtue, happiness, state governance, and human relationships, all based on principles of justice and moderation. Translated by Arthur Waley and introduced by Sarah Allan, this edition remains one of the most influential texts in philosophy even after two and a half millennia.
Aristotle's Poetics
Aristotle's Poetics
Aristotle
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.
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.
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.
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