Stoic Meditations

Massimo Pigliucci

Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers with Prof. Massimo Pigliucci. Complete index by author and source at https://massimopigliucci.org/stoic-podcast/. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen).

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1,094 episodes
Updated Aug 23, 2022

Episodes1094

Newest first

Dec 16, 2020 · 3 min
754. Stoicism is not written in stone
Would that all things were already known, that truth were unveiled and recognized, and that none of our doctrines required modification! but as it is we have to seek for truth in the company of the very men who teach it.
Dec 15, 2020 · 2 min
753. There are different ways to be useful to the human cosmopolis
Our Stoic philosophers say we must be in motion up to the very end of our life, we will never cease to labour for the general good, to help individual people, and when stricken in years to afford assistance even to our enemies.
Dec 14, 2020 · 2 min
752. Set your own priorities, don't slavishly follow other people's
We oscillate between desire and remorse, for we depend entirely upon the opinions of others, and it is that which many people praise and seek after, not that which deserves to be praised and sought after, which we consider to be best.
Dec 11, 2020 · 3 min
751. How much leisure time do you have, and what do you do with it?
Leisure is important to be able to pursue the good life, and yet by itself it is not sufficient. Without proper education, we are far more likely to waste our time than to use it to good effect.
Dec 10, 2020 · 2 min
750. Everything changes, act accordingly
A brief existence is common to all things, and yet you avoid and pursue all things as if they would be eternal.
Dec 9, 2020 · 2 min
749. No point in finding faults
When you are offended at any one’s fault, immediately turn to yourself and reflect in what manner you yourself have erred: for example, in thinking that money is a good thing, or pleasure, or a bit of reputation, and the like.
Dec 8, 2020 · 2 min
748. Putting things, and people, in perspective
Consider what men are when they are eating, sleeping, coupling, evacuating, and so forth. Then what kind of men they are when they are imperious and arrogant, or angry and scolding from their elevated place.
Dec 7, 2020 · 2 min
747. Theory and practice
No longer talk at all about the kind of person that a good person ought to be, but be such.
Dec 4, 2020 · 2 min
746. Always use reason and you'll achieve serenity
He who follows reason in all things is both tranquil and active at the same time, and also cheerful and collected.
Dec 3, 2020 · 2 min
745. How to become magnanimous
Acquire the contemplative way of seeing how all things change into one another, and constantly attend to it, and exercise yourself about this part of philosophy. For nothing is so much adapted to produce magnanimity.
Dec 2, 2020 · 2 min
744. Just pay attention, will you?
When you have assumed these names—good, modest, truthful, rational, a person of equanimity, and magnanimous—take care that you do not change these names; and if you should lose them, quickly return to them.
Dec 1, 2020 · 2 min
743. We are part of the universe and have duties toward fellow human beings
Whether the universe is a concourse of atoms, or nature is a system, let this first be established: that I am a part of the whole that is governed by nature; next, that I stand in some intimate connection with other kindred parts.
Nov 30, 2020 · 2 min
742. How to engage people in a discussion
If someone is mistaken, instruct them kindly and show them their error. But if you are not able, blame yourself, or not even yourself.
Nov 27, 2020 · 2 min
741. The link between rationality and sociability
Marcus Aurelius says that the rational animal is consequently also a social animal. Not exactly. And yet, he was onto something.
Nov 25, 2020 · 3 min
740. The Stoics got divination wrong, but cause-effect right
The ancient Stoics believed in divination, because the world works by cause-effect. They were wrong on the specifics, but correct about the general idea, which is what still today underpins modern science.
Nov 24, 2020 · 2 min
739. Isn't the eye the most sophisticated thing you've ever seen?
The ancient Stoics used their knowledge of human, animal, and plant anatomy to argue for the intelligence and wisdom of the universe. Similar arguments were still advanced at the beginning of the 18th century.
Nov 23, 2020 · 2 min
738. The universe is not the result of random events
The ancient Stoics advanced an argument for the intelligence of the universe very similar to the one deployed by modern creationists. The difference is that - given the advances of science - creationists ought to know better.
Nov 20, 2020 · 2 min
737. Reason and wisdom, or chance and necessity?
The Stoics make an argument against the Epicureans about the nature of the universe. For once, it is the Epicureans who got closer t the truth.
Nov 19, 2020 · 3 min
736. Is the universe governed by wisdom?
The Stoics put forth a three-pronged argument to arrive at the conclusion that the universe is governed wisely and providentially. Unfortunately, their argument is both invalid and unsound.
Nov 18, 2020 · 3 min
735. Different conceptions of the gods
The Stoics rejected the gods of the Olympian pantheon as obvious projections of human psychology. But modern thinking leads to doubts even about the Stoics' own more sophisticated conception of God as Nature.