Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied Misunderstanding the Dichotomy of Control (Episode 187)
Most people learn about Stoicism through the dichotomy of control. It sounds simple: focus on what's up to you, ignore what isn't. But this apparent simplicity is dangerous.
The dichotomy of control becomes the lens through which people view all of Stoicism. Get it wrong, and everything else falls apart. You end up passive when you should act, frustrated when you should be patient, or convinced Stoics can't believe in cause and effect.
Michael and Caleb walk through four major misunderstandings that stem from getting the dichotomy wrong. From the myth that Stoics are passive observers to the confusion about free will and determinism, these mistakes reveal how a powerful idea can be corrupted when we bring our own assumptions to ancient wisdom.
(04:15) Four Confusions
(11:17) The Passivity Argument
(19:08) Do You Have Immediate Control?
(27:45) No Trichotomy
(35:58) Is the Dichotomy Incompatible With Determinism?
(41:00) Wrapping Up
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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations:
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