Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied

Register for a free workshop January 3rd: stoameditation.com/workshop Are New Year’s resolutions Stoic? Caleb and Michael talk about the Stoic cases for and against the practice. Then they move to what we can learn from the Stoics about setting resolutions well. (01:41) Against Resolutions (09:44) The Case For Resolutions (18:47) Making New Year’s Resolutions Well (24:14) Getting Concrete (26:55)...

In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Aiste Celkyte about the Stoic theory of beauty. They cover what the Stoics saw as beautiful, how their aesthetics expresses their ethics, and the practical application of this neglected topic. Aiste Celkyte is a professor at the university of Leiden and author of The Stoic Theory of Beauty . (00:57) What Is Beautiful For The Stoics? (06:51) Ancient Sources (...

Start the year with others looking to apply Stoicism to our life. Join our 3-week intensive course: https://stoameditation.com/course The Stoics are always reminding us to improve ourselves now. But how do you actually do that? What advice do they have for us? Caleb and Michael discuss a simple 3 step approach to procrastination we can glean from the ancient Roman Stoics. (03:33) The Stoic Solutio...

In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Rob LaFleur, Professor of Anthropology & History at Beloit College and teacher of The Great Courses Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius . Stoics care about virtue and role ethics – two things central to Confucianism. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two philosophies can only enrich one’s philosophical theory and practic...

Caleb and Michael debate the role of politics in the modern Stoic life. Caleb argues that Stoics should stay away from politics – like the Epicureanism. Michael thinks this couldn’t be any more wrong. Heated, if Stoic, debated ensues. (05:18) Arguments Against Politics (25:49) The Wisdom of Epicurus (33:52) Justice Without Politics (37:57) The Stoic Case for Politics (51:33) The Norms for Engaging...

In this episode, Caleb speaks with Mahmoud Rasmi, a former philosophy professor from Lebanon, on philosophy, business, and the importance of asking questions well. Philosophy for Business Leaders: https://amzn.to/3NeQ7gi https://twitter.com/Decafquest (03:04) Getting Into Philosophy (12:26) Losing Your Business (14:11) Philosophy vs Critical Thinking (25:23) Are Philosophers The Best Thinkers? (32...

Caleb and Michael engage in a discussion on Existentialism, explaining its essence, distinguishing it from Stoicism, and extracting valuable insights. Michael underscores the significance of authenticity, while Caleb highlights the ideas of bad faith and radical freedom. (02:20) Existentialism (18:20) Stoicism vs Existentialism (32:17) Existentialism for Stoics *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for...

For episode 100, Caleb and Michael discuss Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations 2.1. Thank you for listening. Send us a note at stoa@stoameditation.com if you ever have any comments, questions, or requests. (03:01) Reading 2.1 (04:32) Praemediatio Malorum (09:44) Dealing With Others (17:15) Seeing Goodness (24:46) No One Can Harm Us (27:15) Overcoming Anger (36:16) Working With Others (41:44) The Obstacl...

Caleb and Michael talk about forgiveness and clemency. How does the Stoic idea of forgiveness differ from the popular account – and when should we pardon other’s wrongdoing or address it head on? (01:16) What Is Forgiveness? (15:59) The Stoic Account (25:00) Forgive Everyone At Once (28:18) Clemency (35:10) Is Clemency Only A Tool For The Strong? (45:07) Challenges *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter...

Caleb speaks with Jennifer Baker about teaching Stoicism and its application to modern day life. Along the way they discuss Aristotle, business ethics, the meaning of living in accordance with nature, and natural vs actual virtue. https://philosophy.cofc.edu/faculty-staff-listing/baker-jennifer.php (00:40) Teaching Stoicism In Academia (04:22) Aristotle (12:26) Natural Virtue vs Actual Virtue (17:...

Caleb and Michael discuss the Stoics strategy for setting boundaries. Learn about the issues many Stoic practitioners face with boundaries and how Epictetus counsels us to live better. (02:59) What Are Boundaries? (06:13) The Challenge for Stoics (19:58) Defining and Enforcing Boundaries (30:46) Everything Is A Scam (38:33) Enforce Boundaries For The Right Reason *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter f...

“Stoicism is not so much an ethic as it is a paradoxical recipe for happiness.” Caleb speaks with Allan from What Is Stoicism about the practice of Stoicism as a philosophy of daily life. They discuss how they think about Stoicism, the work of Pierre Hadot, underrated ideas in Stoicism, and their Stoic practices. https://whatisstoicism.substack.com/ https://whatisstoicism.com/what-is-stoicism/ (00...

“Shadows and dust” Caleb and Michael talk about the philosophical themes in the epic movie “Gladiator.” It's the very first Stoa film review. (00:39) Introduction (07:26) Movie Review (09:32) Commodus as Anti-Model (13:57) Is Maximus Stoic? (17:03) Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (19:50) Maximus is a Stoic Hero (23:28) The Afterlife (29:11) Proximo (34:37) Gladiatorial Games (37:19) Masculinity and R...

Why does Musonius Rufus lecture on food and men’s fashion? Caleb talks to William O Stephens to find out. Learn how the Stoics thought about ordinary issues of life in order to live extraordinarily well. https://williamostephens.com/ (01:11) Musonius Rufus and Epictetus (09:09) Why Care About Food and Fashion? (13:42) Food (23:16) Optimizing Health (29:58) The Social Dimension (36:14) Beards (45:1...

"Nothing has happened which was not going to be, and likewise nothing is going to be of which nature does not contain causes working to bring that very thing about." The Stoics believed that we were responsible for our actions and that every action was fated. In this conversation, Michael explains how they made sense of those two ideas. We cover determinism, freewill, and moral responsibility in S...

In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Jeremy Reid. Jeremy is an Assistant Professor in Philosophy at San Francisco State University. They talk about anger and forgiveness, using his excellent paper “Stoic Forgiveness” as a launching off point. This is an excellent conversation for understanding the Stoic view of anger and enriching it with their practical and compassionate take on forgiveness. H...

“And what are we by nature? We are free, honorable, and self-respecting. After all, does any other animal blush or feel shame?” The fear of social disgrace, shame, can prevent us from living well. Yet, the Stoics argued that there’s a related emotion, a kind of self-respect, that can help us live more freely. In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss both. (00:06) Introduction (04:48) Shame...

“This day will end like all others.” “And after that?” In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Zena Hitz about her recent book “A philosopher looks at the religious life.” They discuss meaning, Christianity, and Stoicism. https://catherineproject.org/ (01:10) Wholeheartedness (06:59) Meaning (14:18) Abandonment (17:45) Devotion and Role Ethics (30:08) Service and Happiness (40:32) Freedom (44:33)...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael “It’s worse to be the thief, than the person who has their things stolen from them” In this conversation, Michael and Caleb talk about how Stoics think about anger, revenge, and justice. They cover common philosophical views of punishment – and note where the Stoics would disagree. Thi...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Caleb Ontiveros speaks with Dr. Steven C. Hayes , the originator of acceptance commitment therapy. Acceptance commitment therapy deeply influenced our programs at Stoa, so this discussion was an honor. In this wide ranging conversation, we cover how Steven thinks about “negative emotio...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss the discipline of action. (02:30) Introduction (03:51) The Discipline of Action (08:16) Indifferents (12:59) Acceptance and Justice (19:54) The Seriousness of Action (27:05) The Sage (30:01) Choosing Between Indifferents (31:52) Reserve C...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael In this conversation, I speak with Noah Rasheta about Buddhism. We talk about the key tenets of Buddhism, meditation, and even who shouldn’t be Buddhist. Noah has a clear and focused approach to Buddhism that I think you’ll find useful – whether or not you’re familiar with the philosop...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael “ Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself” In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss the Stoic discipline of desire. (02:05) Introduction (10:41) Mastering Desire (13:21) Stoic Theory of Happiness (15:43) Beginner vs Advanced (19:00) Love for Universal Nature (21:00) Mi...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: Stoicism Applied by Caleb Ontiveros and Michael In this conversation Caleb speaks with Alexandra Hudson, the founder of Civic Renaissance and author of The Soul of Civility .  They discuss why politeness is overrated, the Stoic theory of political change, numerous contemporary and classical role models – intellectual and political t...

Want to become more Stoic? Join us and other Stoics this October: stoameditation.com/course “The discipline of assent consists essentially in refusing to accept within oneself all representations which are other than objective or adequate.” In this conversation, Caleb and Michael discuss the discipline of judgement (also called the discipline of assent). It's all about how to think like a Stoic. (...