Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied Therapy vs Philosophy (Episode 191)
When life hits hard, where do you turn? Philosophy, therapy, or coaching? Michael and Caleb examine and debate the fundamental differences between these approaches to human suffering and growth.
They explore why Stoicism offers a prescriptive vision of the good life while therapy remains deliberately non-judgmental. The conversation reveals when philosophy works best as preventative strength training versus therapy's role in acute crisis intervention.
(00:00) Introduction: Philosophy vs Therapy
(03:20) The Ancient Medical Metaphor
(09:00) Different Goals: Prescriptive vs Non-judgmental
(23:30) Stoicism as Preventative Training Only
(27:30) When People Discover Stoicism After Crisis
(32:20) Why Some Stoics Struggle with Crisis Moments
(38:00) Questioning the "Solution" Mindset
(42:10) Who Should Choose What Path
(48:30) Practical Stoic Techniques in Daily Life
(52:40) Knowing When You Don't Know
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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations:
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