Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Leo Konstantakos, a veteran and professor of international relations, discusses various topics related to Stoicism, including seeing Socrates in a new light, Stoicism in ancient Sparta, justice in the ancient world, and the question of whether someone can be Stoic today. The conversation explores the dichotomy of control, appropriate action in different social roles, Stoic justice, and the dangers and benefits of identifying as a Stoic. Overall, an insightful and thought-provoking discussion on Stoicism.

Caleb and Michael explore skepticism as a rival philosophy to stoicism, discussing its origins and epistemological commitments. They delve into the gap between perception and reality, emphasizing the importance of suspending judgment and skill-building. The ongoing debate between skeptics and stoics is explored, along with the value of skepticism in today's uncertain world.

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this conversation, Caleb speaks with Michael McGill. They discuss Michael's story, Roman history, and how Michael applies Stoic philosophy to his life. It’s a great look at how anyone can take lessons from Greco-Roman philosophy and use them in work, family life, and hobbies in a positive and energetic way.https://twitter.com/mcgillmd921(02:46) Introduction(04:34) How Stoicism Shows Up In Michael's Life(10:56) What Lost Stoic Do You Want To Read?(13:21) Roman History(19:23) Cicero(22:12) Time Management(26:06) Cato the Younger(31:38) Role Models and Anti-Models(35:39) Introducing Others To Stoicism(43:06) Advice for Creators(47:57) Busts***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenThe Stoics thought anyone could be happy in any situation.This is because virtue is the only good and it is obtainable by anyone.But why did the Stoics think virtue was the only good?That’s what Caleb and Michael discuss in this conversation. They frame the discussion around objections to that idea from Scott Aikin, William Stephens, and Massimo Pigliucci (all past Stoa Conversations guests).Epictetus’s Encheiridion: A New TranslationVirtue cannot be the ultimate good(02:51) Why This Matters(09:04) What is Virtue?(17:45) The Objection(26:31) Response: Stoic Move I(31:59) Response: Stoic Move II(39:43) The Practical Upshots***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this conversation, Caleb speaks with Brittany Polat.She’s has done excellent work teaching and promoting the ideas of Stoicism through her books, blog, and Stoicare, so we’re always happy to have her on. In this conversation, we talk about what we can learn from monasteries, how to think about Stoicism & accountability, what Epictetus believed about the Cynics, and the Stoic attitude towards beauty.Stoicism for Humans(01:41) Introduction(03:11) Ethical Development(09:15) Determinism and Accountability(16:55) Learning From Medieval Monks(21:19) Medieval Monks on Meditation(29:40) Beauty(33:39) Epictetus on the Cynics(38:54) Devotion(42:56) Learning To Live Naturally***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this podcast, Michael Tremblay discusses everything you should know about ancient Stoicism in 1 hour. Consider it a Stoic speed run.(01:54) Introduction(04:46) The History(13:48) Stoic Ethics(19:35) Psychological Claims(26:49) Stoic Epistemology(33:09) Stoic Metaphysics(42:05) Stoic Exercises(52:09) Objections(56:58) Last Challenge***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this conversation, Caleb speaks with Spencer Klavan. Spencer is a classicist, author of How to Save the West, and host of the Young Heretics podcast.Spencer argues that we face five crises and how we respond to them determines who we are as individuals and society. These crises pertain to reality, body, meaning, religion, and regime.We discuss these challenges, Classical accounts of virtue, and whether Stoicism has what it takes to answer the predicament we're in.Gateway to the StoicsHow to Save the West(00:32) Spencer's Story(06:59) Career and The Hero's Journey(11:12) Recovering The Good(16:55) The Unitary Nature of Virtue(30:30) How to Save The West(35:00) When was the West at its Best?(39:11) Crises(44:11) Is Stoicism Enough?***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenWe discuss one of the most important Stoic ideas: Role ethics.This is a decision making framework from the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus. It’s a challenge to live a meaningful life by performing the roles you’ve been assigned and the roles you’ve chosen with excellence. We talk about the different kinds of roles we should occupy according the Stoics and how these roles provide a direction for life.(01:54) Why Role Ethics Matters(09:11) What Role Ethics Is(11:36) What Are My Roles?(13:18) The Role of Human Being(18:00) Specific Roles(23:54) Relationships(35:29) Chosen Roles(42:23) Role Ethics and Career Choice(48:49) Outstanding Questions***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this conversation Caleb speaks with Greg Lopez. Greg is a practicing secular Buddhist and Stoic. He’s also the co-author, with Massimo Pigliucci, of A Handbook for New Stoics. They discuss Greg’s struggle to combine the two philosophies, and different accounts of mindfulness.Greg's Stoicon 2020 talk(02:12) Buddhism and Stoicism(12:25) Daily Practice(16:05) Varieties of Mindfulness(21:20) Stoic Mindfulness(33:13) The Notion of Self (38:21) Karma(42:45) Eclecticism***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podIf you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay on MavenIn this episode, Caleb and Michael discuss mindfulness and Stoicism. They start by covering two central definitions of modern mindfulness, move to comparing those accounts with Stoic mindfulness, and end by talking about different ways to become more mindful.(05:47) What is Mindfulness?(15:52) Stoic Mindfulness(26:12) Comparing Mondern Mindfulness & Stoic Mindfulness(33:27) What's The Purpose of Mindfulness?(37:10) How to Build Mindfulness***Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com/subscribeDownload the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/podRemember – if you try it and find it useful, but truly cannot afford Stoa, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/ Get full access to The Stoa Letter at www.stoaletter.com/subscribe