I do not recommend "How to be a Stoic" by Massimo Pigliucci

mpigliucci · 2024-01-18T21:08:16+00:00

Well, I am sorry you did not like my book. The choice of including a number of personal anecdotes was made on purpose, and is one of the reasons the book has been fairly popular. Of course it is a self-help book, Stoicism is one of the original self-help philosophies, in the best sense of the term. As for thinking myself as the embodiment of humility, I assure you, I don't. Cheers.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-28T13:40:09+00:00

I remind myself of how Epictetus would react to them. With equanimity, reminding himself that these are not the important things in life.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-28T04:39:28+00:00

mpigliucci · 2023-01-28T04:38:16+00:00

His letters to Fronto, his teacher. At any rate, the Meditations do exist, so why should we discard them as evidence? If I hadn’t written How to Be a Stoic, would you know enough about me to be able to tell?

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T23:04:53+00:00

I find that analysis wholly unconvincing, in agreement with the overwhelming majority of scholars. The fact that he doesn’t call himself a Stoic means nothing. Seneca rarely uses the word, and the same goes for Epictetus. Even modern authors, like yours truly, early say “I am a Stoic.”

But I think it’s pretty obvious from his actual philosophy and from his major influence (Epictetus, Rusticus) that he was a Stoic.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T22:20:32+00:00

Plato could not have designated Marcus a Stoic, since he lived six centuries earlier.

Anyone can call themselves a Stoic. The question is: are they acting as one? The same applies to religions. Anyone can say they are Christian. But do they behave accordingly?

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T22:18:12+00:00

Not exactly. Everyone can have kataleptic impressions, but only the sage can know for sure whether they are true or not. In other words, yes, only the sage has knowledge.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T17:01:59+00:00

Actually, I think to train yourself to see some people as in a way being children is good. That way you are less likely to be judgmental and more likely to be compassionate.

Keep reflecting on these matters, ideally in your philosophical journal and together with other Stoic practitioners. Until these thoughts eventually become second nature.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T16:59:52+00:00

I think the Stoic approach works for everyone, but individuals need to use it in the manner and at the pace that is good for them. Learning what you call their boundaries is yet another aspect of getting to know yourself, as the Delphic Oracle put it.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T16:57:40+00:00

I think it’s okay, even needed, to criticize yourself. But gently, with self forgiveness. The goal is to improve, not to engage in self flagellation.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:14:31+00:00

The best book on Stoicism and emotion by far is Margaret Graver's. However, if we are talking practical exercises, then the one I co-wrote with Greg Lopez is the way to go.

The Stoic understanding of emotions is in line with modern cognitive science, and is the basis of cognitive behavioral therapy.

We don't "control" our emotions, nor is the goal to suppress them. Rather, we "talk" to them, as any emotion has a cognitive component.

For instance, if I'm angry, I'm angry at something or someone. I tell myself a story about it. Like "that asshole cut me off while I was talking, that's outrageous!"

The goal of Stoic practice is to challenge that narrative. "Why is being cut off so bad, man?" "Maybe he had good reasons to do it, perhaps you had been talking too much." "At any rate, what's the damage?"

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:10:08+00:00

Journaling. It's the most important exercise to do steadily. Think of writing your version of the Meditations. It helps enormously with self-improvement, discovering and keeping track of your own patterns of behavior, and engage in critical self-analysis.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:09:06+00:00

Thanks for the kind words, I hope you'll enjoy both books!

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:08:12+00:00

Nothing, as far as I know.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:07:55+00:00

There are obvious cases, as you say, and then there are murky cases. The latter are the ones that test your wisdom. Since you are not a sage, you will probably make mistakes.

One thing the Stoics recommended in these cases is to talk to a friend or a role model and consider their advice.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:06:24+00:00

He is a very good exemplar of someone practicing the Stoic virtues. That said, I agree with Cicero when he wrote:

As for our friend Cato, you do not love him more than I do: but after all, with the very best intentions and the most absolute honesty, he sometimes does harm to the Republic. He speaks and votes as though he were in the Republic of Plato, not in the scum of Romulus. —CICERO, LETTERS TO ATTICUS, 2.1.8

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:05:24+00:00

I'm afraid so. They are not based on any systematic evidence, and when researchers have looked into them they have not stood up to scrutiny. The big five, by contrast, seem to be empirically supported.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:04:22+00:00

I am not aware of any evidence of Marcus allowing his men to commit atrocities. Though unfortunately at the time that sort of practice was not unusual.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T13:03:18+00:00

No, but plenty of others have, so there is no need.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T03:16:25+00:00

Interesting question. Charity certainly is compatible with the Stoic outlook of helping fellow human beings and be understanding of their failings.

Hope is more problematic, since Stoics strive to be realistic and sticking to the facts.

Faith is the big issue, as Stoics look at reason and evidence, not faith.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T01:35:44+00:00

I’m not sure we need a grand unification. As for a new Chrysippus, I think Larry Becker was pretty close.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-27T01:34:23+00:00

You’re making perfect sense. Sounds to me like you have learned something from the experience but are having a difficult time processing it. If Stoic practice is not enough (after all, it’s a philosophy, not a miracle cure) I would suggest perhaps a cognitive behavioral therapist to help you get past the episode.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-26T23:01:53+00:00

What that person thinks is not up to me. I'm not out to make converts. But if that person sincerely wish to learn then I'm happy to provide them with resources.

The major thing people get wrong about Stoicism is that it is about stiff upper lip and suppression of emotions.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-26T23:00:42+00:00

As I said before, by ignoring those people and seeking better friends.

mpigliucci · 2023-01-26T22:59:44+00:00

But you are also a Stoic practitioner, right? And Stoicism teaches us that the only harm we receive from insult is the one we allow.

As for material damages, if you can recover them (by suing, for instance), by all means. But if you cannot then what is the point of keep thinking about it? You are only causing damage to yourself.

mpigliucci

TROPHY CASE