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

Aug 13, 2020 · 2 min
674. The opposite of mercy is cruelty
The virtues are never in contradiction with each other. The vices are never good for the people who indulge them.
Aug 12, 2020 · 2 min
673. The nature and importance of mercy
We should all follow Seneca's advice, resisting the urge for revenge and punishment, and practicing mercy and forgiveness.
Aug 11, 2020 · 2 min
672. When cruelty becomes pleasure
Both rulers and ordinary people sometimes turn cruelty into a pleasure. It seriously undermines the most precious thing we all have: our character.
Aug 10, 2020 · 2 min
671. Let us be more forgiving
Seneca reminds us that the human animal is a delicate thing, forgiveness for his mistakes is often in order.
Aug 7, 2020 · 2 min
670. The right and the wrong times to use violence
Turns out that, when the proper criteria are followed, it is almost never the time to use violence, either as a society, or as individuals.
Aug 6, 2020 · 2 min
669. People can change, and so can we
Seneca provides a historically accurate analysis of the life of Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor. With implications for how to live our own lives.
Aug 5, 2020 · 2 min
668. The tyrant will not be able to hide
A cruel reign is disordered and hidden in darkness, and while all shake with terror at the sudden explosions, not even he who caused all this disturbance escapes unharmed.
Aug 4, 2020 · 2 min
667. Beware of the corruption of the justice system
Seneca reminds us that prosecutors and judges might be corrupted, and that we have to take this into account when we act.
Aug 3, 2020 · 2 min
666. Do not support leaders who drag their office into the mud
Seneca issues a stern reminder to Nero about the responsibilities of government. It can all too easily be applied today.
Jul 31, 2020 · 2 min
665. War is cruelty on a massive scale
Seneca warns that the cruelty of people in charge of government can have massive consequences.
Jul 30, 2020 · 2 min
664. When you hurt others, you hurt yourself
Seneca reminds Nero, and us, that not doing the right thing is first and foremost injurious to ourselves.
Jul 29, 2020 · 2 min
663. Seneca and the Peter Parker principle
With great power comes great responsibility, as both Seneca and Spider-Man agree.
Jul 28, 2020 · 2 min
662. Let us err on the side of clemency
Seneca makes an epistemic argument to convince us that it is better to err on the side of clemency, rather than punishment.
Jul 27, 2020 · 2 min
661. Clemency helps the innocent and the virtuous
Seneca makes an argument in favor of a broad conception of clemency, not just on behalf of the guilty, but of the innocent and the virtuous.
Jul 24, 2020 · 2 min
660. Is Nero going to "forget" his character?
Seneca flatters Nero at the same time as he issues veiled threats to the new emperor, in case he steers from the right path.
Jul 23, 2020 · 3 min
659. Seneca offers himself as a mirror for Nero's soul
We begin the study of the controversial On Clemency, through which Seneca tried to steer Nero's course for the good of the Roman people.
Jul 22, 2020 · 2 min
658. Overcome your fear of death and you will be free and powerful
Epictetus and Seneca agree: our own death is the ultimate test of our character, and philosophy is a long journey to prepare us for it.
Jul 21, 2020 · 2 min
657. What is and is not up to us
'What then, if I fall ill?' You shall bear illness well. 'Who shall tend me?' God, and your friends. 'I shall lie on a hard bed.' But you can do it like a man.
Jul 20, 2020 · 2 min
656. Consider how much control you have, and what follows from that
When you think about it, it turns out that we have far less control over things and people than we think, and therefore far less blame.
Jul 17, 2020 · 2 min
655. You can get better immediately, it's up to you
Epictetus says that our moral improvement is not like the Olympic Games: when we fail, we can resume immediately, not having to wait four years.