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Artwork for Stoic Meditations
Religion & Spirituality

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
  • Mar 4, 2019 · 2 min

    314. Much of what we have is superfluous

    Seneca says that his life's journey taught him that much of what we possess is superfluous, and indeed positively gets in the way of living a good life. He ought to know, as we discuss in this episode.

  • Mar 1, 2019 · 2 min

    313. When to care, or not, about other people's opinions

    Marcus Aurelius reminds us that all too often we care far too much about the opinions of people we do not actually hold in high esteem. If they judge us badly according to mistaken values, the problem is theirs, not ours.

  • Feb 28, 2019 · 2 min

    312. Make your life the best it can be given the materials you are given

    Seneca brings up a parallel between the life of virtue and the art of a sculptor like Phidias. Just like a good sculptor will make the best art that the materials at his disposal permit, so we can be good human beings regardless of the specific circumstances of our lives.

  • Feb 27, 2019 · 2 min

    311. Everyone is a good pilot on a calm sea

    Seneca uses a sailing metaphor to remind us that hardship in life, just like a storm at sea, is what truly tests our virtue, as the storm tests the pilot's skills.

  • Feb 26, 2019 · 2 min

    310. Treat yourself as you would a sick friend

    Seneca dispels the stereotype of Stoics as going through life with a stiff upper lip. Stoic training doesn't insulate us from sufferings. It gives us tools to deal with suffering.

  • Feb 25, 2019 · 2 min

    309. Moderate insanity is not a good thing

    Seneca directly takes on the Peripatetics, followers of Aristotle, and criticizes their notion that virtue always lies in the middle. Some things, like insanity, or anger, are not good even in small quantities.

  • Feb 21, 2019 · 3 min

    307. The orchestra of your mind

    Seneca draws a beautiful analogy between the harmonious sounds of an orchestra and the harmonious thinking of a well structured mind.

  • Feb 20, 2019 · 2 min

    306. If you want to understand things, write them down

    Seneca suggests that we should alternate between reading and writing in order to truly understand and internalize new concepts. Which, of course, is yet another way to achieve a major goal of Stoic training: arrive at better and better judgments.

  • Feb 19, 2019 · 2 min

    305. Read books, it's good for you

    Seneca gives this most sensical of advices: read books by others, especially if they disagree with you. Turns out, it's a good way to improve our judgments of things, a major goal of Stoic training.

  • Feb 15, 2019 · 2 min

    303. Life is more like wrestling than dancing

    We take a look at one of the most famous metaphors in Stoicism, the notion put forth by Marcus Aurelius that life is a bit like wrestling: we need to be prepared and alert, because the next move may be unexpected.

  • Feb 13, 2019 · 3 min

    301. Not all indifferents are created equal

    Seneca reminds us that there is a difference among the so-called indifferents. Life, health, and education, for instance, are a bit more highly ranked than your favorite gelato flavor.

  • Feb 11, 2019 · 3 min

    299. Be magnanimous toward others

    Seneca reminds us that we should interpret other people's actions and words in a generous manner, instead of conjuring the worst possible scenario. It is, after all, the way we would like to be treated.

  • Feb 8, 2019 · 3 min

    298. Do you still need somebody to wipe your nose?

    Epictetus, with his sarcastic sense of humor, reminds a student that he doesn't need to pray to deal with a bad situation. He already has all the tools he needs: courage, fortitude, and endurance.

  • Feb 7, 2019 · 3 min

    297. Virtue is its own reward

    If the Pope or the Dalai Lama say that being good is its own reward, usually people take it at face value. But if a Stoic says it, they demand logical proof. Let's discuss this.

  • Feb 6, 2019 · 2 min

    296. How much are you worth?

    Seneca gets to the bottom line of Stoic philosophy: If you wish to set a value on yourself, put away your money, your estates, your honors, and look into your own character.