The What Is Stoicism? Podcast

Donald Robertson’s new book How To Think Like Socrates will be a welcome release for anyone keen to delve into the life of the man often referred to as the grandfather of Western philosophy.Almost all philosophical schools after Socrates traced their roots to him, including the Stoics.In this episode, I talk to Donald about the book and what we can learn today from how Socrates thought all those years ago.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s face a worry together using this time we have carved out specifically for our philosophical practice.It’s a short exercise, so there’s no need to rush.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The formula for human greatness: it’s a grand proposition that there would even be one but is it really as simple as loving what happens?----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore a fun writing prompt that can help achieve the powerful perspective of Stoic objectivity.It's reminiscent of an exercise Marcus Aurelius described to himself as follows:“This should be your practice throughout all your life: when things have such a plausible appearance, show them naked, see their shoddiness, strip away their own boastful account of themselves. Vanity is the greatest seducer of reason: when you are most convinced that your work is important, that is when you are most under its spell.”----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discourse from Epictetus and three entertaining stories of Stoic philosophers to provide good examples of ways in which today, no matter what happens, we can always exercise our freedom of will.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his book Being Better, Kai Whiting tells us that the Stoic philosopher Panaetius established the idea that everyone has four roles in life.In this episode, we look at what those roles are and how we can perform them as well as possible.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three philosophical questions, courtesy of the late poet John O'Donohue, to ask yourself today and help inform the actions you take.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By repeatedly telling ourselves negative stories we add a second layer of suffering to whatever sorrow we happen to encounter.Due to our close proximity to them, instead of detaching from the stories, we end up detached from reality.If we are to see these stories for what they really are we must zoom out from them.----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is based on Epictetus's teaching of a classic Stoic trope: the less we shy away from adversity, the more strength and courage we build in ourselves.In other words, the more challenges we give our best to, the better equipped we become to face similar challenges in the future. (And by doing so, we prove to ourselves what we're capable of.)----☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"Of all men they alone are at leisure who take time for philosophy, they alone really live; for they are not content to be good guardians of their own lifetime only. They annex every age to their own; all the years that have gone before them are an addition to their store."—Seneca, On the Shortness of Life XIV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---“Because most of what we say and do isn’t essential. Ask yourself at every moment, Is this necessary?”—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.24 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---The Stoics strongly believed that we should be respectful to everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.It’s a freeing attitude: not only can we refuse to let the malevolent actions of others harm our free will, but we also always maintain the power to love, respect, and help those same people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---The ancient Stoic teacher Epictetus said we should contemplate daily the freedom of our will: The fact that no matter what happens or what anyone else does, our thoughts and actions are our own and no one else’s.This knowledge of what is and isn’t ours, and of what is and isn’t possible for us, allows us to focus on the things we can actually affect.On the other hand, we are able to calmly assess the events, opinions, and circumstances that don’t land within our sphere of control and effectively say they’re fine as they are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"Our fellowship is very similar to an arch of stones, which would fall apart, if they did not reciprocally support each other."— Seneca, Letters 95.53 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---A step-by-step exercise showing how to mentally reframe challenging situations.Video referenced in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__JLFw2FtEQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---"What I will teach you is the ability to become rich as speedily as possible.. I will lead you by a shortcut to the greatest wealth... not wanting something is just as good as having it. The important thing either way is the same – freedom from worry."—Seneca, Letters 119.1–2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---In this episode, we look at Cicero's third Stoic paradox—that all vices are equal and all virtues are equal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---We often bemoan the restrictions that are placed on us.Whether we feel held back by our many personal responsibilities or stifled by our work environment, we harbor a desire for more freedom.But what actually is freedom and how do we attain it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---As we know, Stoicism is a practical philosophy.Theory alone does not improve the skill of being good.Only the struggle of everyday experience improves it.We’re interested in how we might be good, rather than merely know goodness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Start your next 10 days like a Stoic with morning routines that take only 10 minutes to complete.Free Stoic 10-day series: https://whatisstoicism.com/10days---It’s obvious to say, but important nonetheless: if we’re to make progress toward a more Stoic life, we have to regularly practice the principles of the philosophy.And if we’re to regularly practice the principles, we’ll first need to understand and remember them.The French philosopher and historian, Pierre Hadot, wrote of the importance of keeping our philosophical principles “at hand” so that we’re able to use them in response to the events we face, as if immediately answering a question we’ve been asked.With that in mind, I have compiled a list of 100 short tips to help you achieve the benefits of practicing Stoicism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.