Prompt Cast
The Resurgence of Stoicism: A Blueprint for Living a Happy and Useful Life
TLDR Stoicism, a philosophy that combines the ideas of Socrates and the cynics, is making a comeback as people seek emotional control, moral living, and happiness through detachment. The changing work dynamic and the appeal of finding happiness through other means may be contributing to its resurgence.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Stoicism is making a comeback because it is appealing and there are two reasons for its resurgence.
05:09
Stoicism is not about naval gazing or figuring out the nature of existence, but rather a blueprint for living a useful and happy life, and it allows individuals to pick and choose which aspects of it they want to adopt.
10:21
Stoicism is about emotional control and living a moral life by detaching oneself from things that are beyond their control.
15:39
Stoicism is a philosophy that combines the ideas of Socrates and the cynics, emphasizing the pursuit of eudaimonia through four virtues while allowing for wealth as long as one is not attached to it.
20:50
The changing work dynamic and the appeal of finding happiness through other means may be contributing to a resurgence in Stoicism.
27:13
Epictetus, a former slave and Stoic thinker, wrote a famous handbook called the Incaridian of Epictetus, which emphasized the idea that some things are in our control and others are not, and that we should not become too high or too low in our emotions.
32:16
Stoicism emphasizes the importance of reason, logic, and ethics, and teaches that adversity should be seen as an opportunity for growth.
37:58
Stoicism emphasizes the importance of seeing adversity as an opportunity for growth and not being limited to one way of thinking or practicing.
44:02
Stoicism encourages the practice of negative visualization, which involves imagining the worst-case scenario in order to prepare oneself for adversity and minimize the impact of negative events.
49:14
Stoicism was a source of strength for Admiral Stockdale during his seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and it has been criticized for being a philosophy that is more appealing to wealthy individuals.
54:32
Stoicism raises questions about how to enact social change and whether it can be used to pacify people and prevent larger social movements.
Categories:
Society & Culture
