Introduction to Stoicism

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Күн бұрын

You’re probably already a stoic in someway. It’s part of our culture. Influenced by Socrates and emerging in Ancient Greece in the 3rd century BC, it’s a foundation of Christianity, is maybe the first psychology, contributed to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, guided a Roman Emporer, and has become increasingly popular in recent years, through events like Stoicon, Annual Stoic Week, and a flurry of new of popular books and articles.
Could it really be a guide to the best possible life?
This introduction to Stoicism will mix two things: what the Stoics of Ancient Greece and Rome actually said - the original doctrines - and how this might be interpreted and be useful today.
IN the first part, I’ll look at the Ancient Stoics - Marcus Aurelius (Meditations), Epictetus (Discourses), Seneca, and Zeno; and in the second part, I’ll look at Stoicism in practice, especially through William Irvine’s A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy.
The Greek Stoics divided Stoicism into three parts: logic, physics, and ethics. None of these terms, though, meant what they do today.
Logic was formal logic, but also rhetoric, language, poetry
Physics mostly meant the study of God and the world - essentially how things work.
They also broke all of this into two parts: theory and practice
Philosophy, importantly, needed to both studied and practiced, learned and executed. Exercises, reflection, and self-improvement were fundamental.
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Sources:
William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
John Sellars, Stoicism
Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy
Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Epictetus, Handbook & Discourses
Michael Sugrue, Lecture, • Video

Пікірлер: 79

@ThenNow 4 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the re-upload! The first had a mistake. Please do re-share/comment/like if you have already, many thanks. And please let me know what you think of this more informal format. I hope all those that are having to are managing to self-isolate stoically through this difficult time. Thanks, as always, to my Patreons for making all of this possible.

@joshnicholson6194 4 жыл бұрын

You have an amazing ability to walk the line between theory and practicality in these videos. As always this video was amazing.

@RealityIsNot 4 жыл бұрын

I hardly have my notification on for any channel. Yours is one. Love every bit of what you do. Thank you.

@stdew07 4 жыл бұрын

same here.

@Prigozhyn227 4 жыл бұрын

Same!

@AGSTRANGERTunisianAuthor 4 жыл бұрын

How in the world, you don't have millions of subscribers. If a channel like yours can't make it, I can't imagine ever making it. Quality content as always and it couldn't be more opportune.

@robalderman6979 2 жыл бұрын

I've practiced what I like to call "strategic optimism" ie "negative visualization" for many years, I never realized that it was an ancient philosophical technique for living a virtuous life.

@jacknottingham9492 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this, I have just started to research stoicism, with a view to reducing my anxiety. This is very helpful a great resource for a beginner.

@debicore 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this! Kept hearing the word and finally looked into it and you presented this explanation beautifully, I love the real life examples you practiced too. Well done. You’ve got yourself a new subscriber 😊

@user-dj7nl2ct3q 4 жыл бұрын

I prefer dichotomy of control over trichotomy. Even in things that we have semi-control, as you said, can be divided to what you control and what you don't.

@lillycabrera9865 3 жыл бұрын

I feel I already practiced this, but I never knew what it was called,lol. Silly me. I’ve learned so much. This great video def broke it down very clear and I am super thankful for this! Manifest your desired life people! Embrace the hardships, for those develop us to be stronger, sharper, and wiser!

@stdew07 4 жыл бұрын

I can't thank Contrapoints enough for introducing me to this awesome channel. 😁👍🏾

@hugosetiawan8928 4 жыл бұрын

Whoa when did contrapoints mentioned then & now?

@stdew07 4 жыл бұрын

@@hugosetiawan8928 I don't remember exactly but not recently if I recall correctly.

@stdew07 4 жыл бұрын

@Topsy Kretts Stop trying so hard when your IQ is lower than a mollusc.

@lgacv7836 4 жыл бұрын

Topsy Kretts Exactly. Filthy creatures

@brandonwilliams3788 4 жыл бұрын

@@lgacv7836 who hurt you?...

@8yerbrain 4 жыл бұрын

Useful presentation with helpful examples of how to directly and immediately apply the principles to one's life. It is appreciated.

@quentin2677 3 жыл бұрын

I love the way you talk and your whole video, thanks man.

@sebastiaankampers6651 4 жыл бұрын

A stoic without a cause, is like a romantisist without an affect.

@hugosetiawan8928 4 жыл бұрын

Always happy to be able to watch your videos. I hope i could fund you someday since i'm still a young teen in Indonesia. Stay safe mister!

@Antnierv 3 жыл бұрын

This was incredible. Thank you.

@self-inflictedphilosophy Жыл бұрын

10 Ways to Be More Stoic: 1.) Transform everyone into a teacher. 2.) Say no to the easy way, seek out challenges. 3.). Be strict with yourself but tolerant of others. 4.) Allow the journey to be the thing. 5.) Transform envy into emulation. 6.) Stand on the shoulders of giants. 7.) Forgive yourself and forgive others. 8.) Fall in love with Fate. 9.) Always practice courage, temperance, and humor. 10.) Remember, the obstacle is the path.

@Dontwannaknow44 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Keep up the great work!!

@aniketsanyal5586 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the upload!

@jimmybertilsson3277 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a interesting and useful video.

@ErnestRamaj 3 жыл бұрын

Very well explained.

@raafathamze1559 4 жыл бұрын

Good to finally see the face behind the best channel on KZfaq! I still can't locate your accent (as I'm not a native English speaker), are you Irish?

@manderse12 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thank you for making and sharing it. I plan to share it with our Philosophy Club at the school where I volunteer. As I recently started studying about Stoicism, your video caught my eye on r/Philosophy. I did want to point out for you and for your audience a very helpful commentary from Massimo Pigliucci's 2017 text "How To Be A Stoic" (pp.31-33) on the key passage from Epictetus' "Handbook" that you quoted @4:35. I won't quote it full here, but it's worth reviewing. (You can actually find this commentary from Chapter 3 "Some things are in our power, others are not" in the Google Books preview of the book, where he discusses this exact passage.) However, I know that some in your audience might dismiss Epictetus' advice altogether, thinking--like both I and Pigliucci did at first glance--that, "Well, this can't be right; of course our opinions are not all up to me, as I am influenced by others' views, and I can at least eat well and go to the gym to take care of my body--so these things ARE in my control, at least in part." Pigliucci's commentary on this key passage will be quite helpful for your audience members who might misread Epictetus' wording and intention here.

@42BETWO Жыл бұрын

The Buddha experienced the same extremes in pursuit of the happy (good) life, as the Stoics observed in hedonism and asceticism. He decided on “the middle way”: a question of balance. There appears to be many comparisons between Stoicism in the West and Eastern Philosophy…namely the observance and practice of the way of nature. Taoism and Stoicism go nicely together in my opinion.

@Simonkenteriksson Жыл бұрын

You have very nice and calming voice :D you should consider doing audiobooks! Great video :)

@Ronin3Zero9 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@poppycalliope6793 4 жыл бұрын

We should reflect on stopping the the horrendous plight of animals. Pythagoras said that we will never know peace or health as long as we keep destroying other beings.

@fraidoonw 4 жыл бұрын

thanks you! have a good day!

@kiquetal 3 жыл бұрын

I really like this channel, could you please include some book to look further on this topics. Greetings from Paraguay.

@fraidoonw 4 жыл бұрын

thanks, great!

@Bisquick 4 жыл бұрын

Looks like Zeno can add this to the list of universal good! Seriously though, I had an insanely narrow generalization of stoicism (I think maybe I was just confusing it for cynicism or something) so I never knew it was actually this deeply rational aaand now I think it's time to stop putting off reading Marcus Aurelius. Actually, I'm remembering I've heard Darren Brown talk about the awesomeness of the stoics too, which is I think why I had been meaning to read Marcus Aurelius in the first place, but yet my ignorant conception of stoicism still prevailed and blocked any independent investigation. Stupid distracting desires/brain... Anyway, awesome video as usual!

@sophos7018 Жыл бұрын

Once you are consistent with your practice for about a year or more with each of the principles, it becomes your second nature where you don't even have to think about the philosophy anymore in any circumstance.

@matthewmelson1780 4 жыл бұрын

By God this was beautiful

@Acinavas 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! A video about cynicism would also be very much appreciated :)

@LogicGated Жыл бұрын

Ah yes stoicism, the topic that initially interested me in philosophy.

@BasDirks 2 жыл бұрын

"Maybe the first psychology". Buddha, among others, would like to have a word with you! I enjoyed the video :)

@maxwaller2055 2 жыл бұрын

*¡8:50 pm Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, 15 February 2022!*

@prajnasword 4 жыл бұрын

11:33 is Galveston, Texas after the Great Hurricane of 1900. It's right on the Strand.

@projectmalus 4 жыл бұрын

I think the phenomenon of stage fright reveals an essential truth about human perception, here goes: The individual sees themselves as singular, but really the human is comprised of a number of players, like gut bacteria. This singular identity is a survival trait. The crowd is also perceived by the speaker to be singular, and possibly inimical. In the first case, assigning oneself a managerial role helps to avoid problems by making the identity less rigid. The stage fright thing might be helped by simply including the audience, within the agency of being a manager...a manager of more, that's all. This idea goes hand in hand with seeing two aspects of power, I call them real and false, the real power is economical pragmatic power and the false comes from the individual feeling like they themselves are more powerful, as in nationalism etc. So stage fright might come from the real power of the group, but it seems more likely to be a boogeyman whose original source is in this rigid fixed individual identity.

@apostolispouliakis7401 4 жыл бұрын

It is quite sad that Stoicism was not as prevelent as the hedonistic ones but humanity is what it is

@goingforgold_8536 4 жыл бұрын

Would love to have Then & Now (left leaning) and Academy of Ideas (right leaning) debate positive vs negative rights in modern society.

@TimGreig Жыл бұрын

13:54 "Here is a rule to remember in future: when anything tempts you to feel bitter: Not this is misfortune, but to hear this worthily is good fortune" Marcus Aurelius

@LOVEITTVclips 3 жыл бұрын

Loving your content. Really love the subject. Listening to Sam Harris lots who is also well informed. I make films and produce videos. When filming yourself its best to have your eye line a little higher..on the upper third line. Just a little constructive feedback.. If you want to talk about making videos or presenting stuff for LOVE I TV do get in touch. - angelfish films

@PeterZeeke 4 жыл бұрын

Why does this remind me of the final episode of sopranos...?

@corystegall3583 3 жыл бұрын

Hedonism (Epicureanism) was not about simply pleasure it was about enjoying things but in moderation. At least it began like that (it’s not anymore)

@FlosBlog 4 жыл бұрын

Ah the days before corona, oh what were we clean shaven!

@Roshankumar-vf7sr 2 жыл бұрын

Stoicism isn't the basis of all philosophy. All the fundamental precepts of Stoicism are but a subset of concepts discussed in more ancient philosophies of the east. I say this because attribution is important and West has a history of stealing credits.

@davispan77 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, The hedonism you're describing is more akin to the Cyrenaics than the Epicureans.

@HxH2011DRA 4 жыл бұрын

Epicurus actually had alot of influence on the Epicureans

@mat7083 4 жыл бұрын

The Hunter x Hunter 2011 Dickriding Association You don’t say...

@nikolai9520 Жыл бұрын

There is an account in Diogenes Laertius that presents Aristippus as exercising some restraint against overindulgence. A case can be made that hedonism, a prime influence of an individual's thoughts and actions, can be tempered to suit what an individual deems valuable, which is not hedonistic in nature.

@russianbot8576 Жыл бұрын

you mean constant self analysis and the like isn't... just normal existence?

@inthemomenttomoment 2 жыл бұрын

Being supremely virtuous is like a ❤️ virtuoso artist, musician, &/or dancer, Living Above the natural 🌎 Norm of Nature into a Superconscious, Ubered, Choiceless Awareness of Being ONE!

@traceysheneman8652 10 ай бұрын

Not indifferent; rather, one can become, through training and practice, independent of irrational, compulsive, and obsessive thinking about external influences. Indifference implies not caring or lacking emotional sensitivity to stimuli. A rational mind is not insensitive but is attuned to a deep sense of humility and respect for the power of conscious thought to shape one's internal reality and affect external life.

@hmuphilly9129 2 жыл бұрын

Should we accept war?

@mikealiberti1799 Жыл бұрын

Of course not, but we shouldn’t let it destroy our inner peace (easier said than done I know)

@hmuphilly9129 Жыл бұрын

@@mikealiberti1799 Agreed

@hmuphilly9129 2 жыл бұрын

The young just want to chill

@youngepicurean8282 3 жыл бұрын

That is a factually incorrect and unfair portrayal of Epicureanism. The goal is pleasure in the long term, which is regulated by a hedonistic calculus that assesses which activities should or should not be pursued prudently to maximize long term pleasure (even when some action may in the short term be painful). One of the central questions that an Epicurean asks themself is "what will be the outcome if the goal of my desire is attained, and what if not?" In this way, it synthesizes context and relevant information to predict consequences. It is in fact a more comprehensive system, and deserves more than a throwaway line. I suggest to read Epicurus' Principle Doctrines and Vatican Sayings to get an overview of the system.

@Saber23 Жыл бұрын

It’s not a foundation of Christianity

@MrRooibos123 Жыл бұрын

Yes it is.

@Saber23 Жыл бұрын

@@MrRooibos123 no it really isn’t Stoicism was hardly even present when Christianity started

@MrRooibos123 Жыл бұрын

@@Saber23 but Christian theology is not something that reached fruition immediately. Though Aquinas did not accept stoicism in its entirety, he (as well as Augustine) were both heavily influenced by the philosophy. Ergo, one could consider it a foundation of contemporary Christian thought.

@Saber23 Жыл бұрын

@@MrRooibos123 not really, the basis of contemporary Christian theology is the deification of Christ obviously something I don't agree with as a Muslim but I digress that was already what the Christians were preaching to others at the time

@markdylan8676 3 жыл бұрын

'Whether it can be aligned with progressive ideas'...oh shit, a leftist (clicks off)

@MrRooibos123 Жыл бұрын

You cannot control the political opinions of the presenter, but you can still appreciate the video that he has made and see the utility it can have in your own life.