Ancient solutions for modern problems | Stoicism Series PART 1 | Massimo Pigliucci
Jan 7, 2025
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Massimo Pigliucci, a philosopher and biologist known for his work on Stoicism, dives into the timeless wisdom of ancient thinkers. He humorously discusses how Stoicism can help us navigate modern challenges, like dealing with technology. The conversation explores the core principles of Stoicism, comparing it to other philosophies such as Epicureanism and Buddhism. Pigliucci emphasizes practical exercises to focus on what we can control, providing listeners with tools to cultivate a meaningful life in today's fast-paced world.
Stoicism emphasizes living according to reason, aligning desires with rational outcomes, and contributing to societal betterment for personal fulfillment.
A key principle of Stoicism is the dichotomy of control, encouraging individuals to focus on what they can influence and accept the rest.
Deep dives
Understanding Stoicism
Stoicism is a philosophy of life that emphasizes living in accordance with human nature and improving oneself and society through reason. The philosophy, founded in ancient Athens by Zeno of Citium, is built on the idea that understanding the world helps individuals behave appropriately within it. This involves two core components: a worldview or metaphysics that explains how the universe functions, and an ethical framework that guides behavior. The fundamental tenet of Stoicism is that a fulfilling life, referred to as eudaimonia, stems from using reason to contribute positively to society, as helping others inherently aids oneself.
The Three Key Disciplines of Stoicism
The practice of Stoicism involves three main disciplines: desire and aversion, action, and assent. The discipline of desire and aversion emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s desires with rational outcomes and letting go of unhelpful attachments. The discipline of action focuses on how to effectively interact with others, acknowledging that social relationships can be complicated and require conscious effort. Lastly, the discipline of assent encourages individuals to question their judgments and perceptions, recognizing that many evaluations are subjective and may warrant reevaluation for better living.
The Dichotomy of Control
A crucial concept in Stoicism is the dichotomy of control, which differentiates between what is within one’s control and what is not. This principle highlights that individuals should focus their efforts and emotional investments on aspects they can influence, such as their actions and responses, while accepting the outcomes that are beyond their control. Recognizing this distinction fosters a sense of equanimity, enabling individuals to maintain peace of mind despite life's uncertainties. The Stoic approach advocates for making efforts to excel in areas within personal control, thereby allowing for a more rational and resilient perspective on challenges.
What can Marcus Aurelius teach you about the iPhone?
Join philosopher and author Massimo Pigliucci for part one of a series on the ancient practice of Stoicism, exploring and analysing ideas from Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium.
Massimo Pigliucci is an American philosopher and biologist who currently works as professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. He is also the former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and former editor-in-chief for the online magazine Scientia Salon. He is a critic of pseudoscience and creationism, as well as an advocate for secularism and science education. Massimo's recent work has focused on stoicism, having written three books on the topic, including 'The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life' and 'How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life'.