- The origin of Stoicism is the rejection of societal norms. - Epictetus, the great Stoic teacher, referenced Diogenes the Cynic and Socrates the most, which can tell us something about the influences of Stoicism. These two people are perfect examples of philosophers who through away social convention.
- Epictetus believed that Cynicism was the highest calling. Not everyone possesses the strength to go as far as the Cynics, but we can try to live well with what we have.
- Cynicism taught that a good life was one lived according to Nature, but they said that this would be the pursuit of only virtue at the expense of all else.
- The Stoics taught that we should live according to Nature, but that our nature as humans was as rational and social animals. So for Stoics, family and friends and positive social change were not things to be avoided.
- Stoics were cosmopolitans and believed that we are humans first, and then whatever roles we’ve been assigned. For example, Seneca suggested that slaves were not slaves, but human beings first.
- Life as a philosopher is for a select few, but being a Stoic is for anyone.
Epictetus taught that we should evaluate what we’re good at, what we’re drawn towards and what is in our individual nature and we should do that really well. He taught that “God” gave us certain pallets and skills and we should follow these.
- Some people, the Stoics taught, were given the ability to do just philosophy. So the life of a philosopher is one for a select few.
- Alignment with Nature was tough on three levels with Epictetus:
There is Nature in terms of fate, or the physical world. An example of this is the fact that we are all destined to die, so we should accept this and not fight it.
- The second Nature is that we are rational beings. So we should never compromise our nature as rational beings.
- Once we’ve aligned with the physical world and our own nature as rational beings, Epictetus taught that we have all kinds of options to choose, and we should follow our individual nature and our social roles that we play. For example, be a good musician (if that’s in your nature) and also a good father (if you’ve accepted that role).
- So the Stoics taught that your life would go really well if you don’t compromise any of these “natures”.
- The Stoics were determinists and recognised that everything that happened was going to happen. So we should align with the fate of the world, and should expect things to happen as they happen.
Michael’s main interest is in ancient philosophy, specifically moral education in the Stoics. He’s fascinated by the Hellenistic conception of philosophy as a way of life, which is to be practiced in order to achieve virtue and happiness. He is also interested in philosophy as a skill or craft, and how training and practice factor into becoming a better philosopher.
Beyond philosophy, Michael is passionate about martial arts and competes regularly in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling.
Michael's Website:
Simon Drew is an Australian Alignment Coach, musician and host of the Practical Stoic Podcast. On this show he interviews some of the most influential thinkers in Stoicism and philosophy today, including Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson, Ryan Holiday, Gregory Lopez, Sharon Lebell, Gregory Sadler, Nancy Sherman, Kai Whiting, and many more. He also draws inspiration from the great Stoic thinkers like Zeno, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and more. Both as a coach and as the host of the podcast Simon has helped thousands of people around the world to improve their lives using Stoic philosophy. Find Simon and his work in the following places:
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