“Although we don’t often recognise it, the 21st century is a transhuman era, where everything that currently makes us human, from our brains and bodies, to our values and ways of life, is poised to be transformed or superseded.” In this episode, Caleb and Michael consider a contemporary philosophical issue through the lens of Stoicism. Transhumanism is the idea that humans should use technology to radically enhance human capabilities, lifespan, and experience. So, what do Stoics have to say abou...
Mar 19, 2024•51 min
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Donald Robertson about Marcus Aurelius. They dive into what we know about the man and the critical episodes of his life. Donald shares his thoughts on the Marcomannic wars, whether Marcus Aurelius ordered the assassination of one of his top generals, and why he appointed Commodus as his successor. They end by discussing the central role that Stoicism and Stoic practices played in Marcus Aurelius’s life. Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor How To Think Like ...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 23 min
“Everything has two handles, and it may be carried by one of these handles, but not by the other.” In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk about these lines from Epictetus. They talk about how it points the way towards Stoic creativity, offensive and defensive Stoicism ,and role ethics. It’s a simple passage with a lot of depth. (00:31) Epictetus (05:05) Creativity in Stoicism (12:31) Stop Shutting Down (20:56) A Better Interpretation (33:54) Marcus Aurelius (44:00) The Handbook *** Subscri...
Mar 05, 2024•47 min
In this podcast, Caleb speaks with professor Rob Colter . Rob has extensive experience teaching Stoicism in camps, universities, and prisons. He talks about the powerful idea of Stoic freedom, how he’s seen Stoicism make a difference in people’s lives, and why he calls himself a Socratic. Learn more about Wyoming Stoic Camp here. (00:51) Stoicism (03:49) Rationality (09:10) The Central Idea: Freedom (21:34) Teaching Stoicism (27:06) How Stoicism Changes Lives (33:32) Role Ethics (35:28) Underrat...
Feb 27, 2024•44 min
“A Stoic is a Buddhist with attitude” How do you not just survive in chaos, but benefit from it? In this podcast, Caleb and Michael review Nassim Taleb’s book “Antifragile.” In it, Taleb describes a Stoic philosophy grounded in the realities of randomness and practice. They talk about how ideas from this book have impacted them – and the questions of theory and practice that remain. (06:43) Antifragility (25:55) The Barbell Strategy (37:22) Skin In The Game (45:40) Stoic Skin In The Game (47:04)...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Who were the Cynics and why did the Stoics treat them as exemplars? In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Dr. M. D. Usher about the ancient philosophy of Cynicism, its training program, and way of life. How to Say No (00:47) Farming (02:21) What Is Cynicism (06:56) Outsiders (10:39) Living In Accordance With Nature (15:15) Storytime (23:18) Training Program (32:39) Socrates (38:38) Modern Cynics (45:12) Returning to Stoicism and Cynicism (48:19) Lazy Stoics *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for...
Feb 13, 2024•54 min
Time for another Stoic movie review. This week Caleb and Michael talk 300. They cover the good, bad, and and provocative aspects of the film on the Spartan’s epic last stand at Thermopylae. Gladiator (02:29) The Movie (06:58) Spartan Stoic Virtues (08:36) Powers Of Perception (15:00) Action Over Words (19:48) What Winning Means (24:26) Spartan Propaganda (29:46) Sparta Was Not Stoic (41:31) Steelmanning The Silver People (47:25) King and Queen (51:58) Summary *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for...
Feb 06, 2024•55 min
This one is for all of you interested in Stoic theory. In this conversation, Caleb and Scott Aikin discuss objections to Stoicism. Scott defends a revisionary kind of Stoicism. In some places, Caleb questions how revisionary it is – is Scott just restating things the ancients solved already? In other places, Caleb questions whether it’s too revisionary to work – do we need an account of nature after all? Scott responds. Listen and work through the problems yourself. Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A...
Jan 30, 2024•53 min
Caleb and Michael discuss an objection to Stoicism: the impossibility objection. Along the way, they talk about the challenge of living by Stoic principles, especially in extreme situations, and whether achieving the ideal Stoic sage is possible. 03:26 The Argument 14:47 Why It Matters 17:06 Stoicism Doesn't Require Unrealistic Control 27:15 Forceful Impressions 35:44 Can We All Be Sages? 44:54 Can Anyone Be A Sage? 50:10 Wrapping Up *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actio...
Jan 23, 2024•52 min
How can you use Stoicism to cultivate compassion and build deeper connections? Brittany Polat joins Caleb to talk about the themes from her new set of meditations: Deeper Connections. They discuss the meaning of Stoic compassion and what becoming more compassionate looks like in theory and practice. Deeper Connections Journal Like A Stoic https://stoicismforhumans.substack.com/ (01:11) Stoic Compassion (11:11) Becoming More Compassionate (19:43) Abundance Mindset (25:58) Friendship (29:15) Forgi...
Jan 19, 2024•47 min
Caleb and Michael talk about Seneca’s 94th Letter to Lucilius. In it Seneca debates the place of rules in the philosophical life with the ancient Stoic Aristo. It's a topic of theoretical and practical importance. How do you use rules, proverbs, and precepts well when they are such imperfect tools? What's the difference between rules and principles? (02:39) The Debate Over Rules (16:19) Aristo (21:40) Memorizing Philosophy Does Not Work (26:02) Rules Are Either Obvious Or Misunderstood (31:02) S...
Jan 16, 2024•59 min
In this conversation, Michael Tremblay and Erlend MacGillivray take a deep dive into Stoic history and the life of Epictetus. It’s an excellent discussion for anyone looking to enrich their knowledge of ancient history and situate the Stoics in their time. https://schoolofepictetus.substack.com/ (01:20) Getting Into Stoicism (05:33) Epictetus (10:26) Epictetus's World (13:34) Philosophy in Rome (20:51) Epictetus's Students (45:40) Stoics and Lay People (01:03:30) Popularization vs Elitism (01:10...
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this conversation, Caleb and Michael talk Socrates. Why was he held in such high regard by the Stoics? What’s the line of philosophical theory and practice connecting Stoicism to Socrates? And how did Socrates philosophy differ from the Stoics? (03:52) Who Was Socrates? (07:07) Philosophy As A Way Off Life (14:48) The Socratic Method (20:49) Virtue Is Knowledge (26:15) Self-knowledge (33:40) The Importance Of Character (43:19) Differences (49:14) Philosophy With Socrates *** Learn more about ...
Jan 09, 2024•55 min
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with William O Stephens about his 6 core themes of Stoicism. Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion': A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics https://williamostephens.com/ (04:12) Self-Control (09:31) Seeing Things As They Are (14:34) Living In Accordance With Nature (22:12) Role Ethics (35:57) Virtue Depends On Knowledge (42:59) Stoicism Is Aspirational *** Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditat...
Jan 05, 2024•51 min
Register for a free workshop January 3rd: stoameditation.com/workshop Join our live course – starting next week: stoameditation.com/course Happy new year! Thanks for listening to Stoa Conversations. In this one, Caleb and Michael discuss their highlights from 2023 – one year of podcasting in public. Relive your favorite philosophical moments with them as they share the key insights from the year and shoutout guests. And let us know what you think at stoameditation.com/survey . (01:31) Stoic Psyc...
Jan 02, 2024•57 min
(00:11) Scott Aikin (03:35) Massimo Pigliucci (05:08) Donald Robertson (07:09) Brittany Polat (10:29) Tim Lebon (14:34) Chris Gill *** Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you u...
Dec 29, 2023•21 min
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) Realistic and Ambitious (33:14) Stoic Principles (37:25) Michael's Planning (40:09) Caleb Is Too Imp...
Dec 26, 2023•54 min
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 (09:55) What Makes Stoicism Different (18:18) Beauty And Morality (28:00) Practical Application (30:4...
Dec 22, 2023•49 min
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 Solution to Procrastination (08:42) Marcus Aurelius on Procrastination (12:16) Putting Off Writing (15:01) ...
Dec 19, 2023•49 min
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 practice. But going directly to the Confucian works is difficult. Conversations with experts like Professor...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 Well *** Learn more about our new year’s course: stoameditation.com/course Subscribe to The Stoa Le...
Dec 12, 2023•57 min
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? (32:09) Getting Down to Business (38:46) Asking Questions (48:49) Leaving Academic Philosophy (54:44) S...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 6 min
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 weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe Do...
Dec 05, 2023•45 min
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 Obstacle is the Way (44:40) Summary (47:14) One Hundred Episodes *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekl...
Dec 01, 2023•50 min
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 for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscrib...
Nov 28, 2023•57 min
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 (17:40) Stoics In The Economy (30:25) Stoic Answer To Happiness (36:54) Why Aren't We Happy Already? ***...
Nov 24, 2023•52 min
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 for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe ...
Nov 21, 2023•54 min
“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/ (00:33) Allan's Story (04:59) What Is Stoicism? (10:54) An Underrated Stoic Idea (18:18) Stoic Exercise...
Nov 17, 2023•47 min
“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 Role Ethics (48:26) Restoring the Republic *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, a...
Nov 14, 2023•53 min
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 (45:17) What is Natural? (52:42) Epictetus on Beards *** Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditati...
Nov 10, 2023•58 min
