Beyond Circumstances: Embracing Choice in Stoic Philosophy

Practical Stoicism

Evergreen Podcasts

Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.8 • 662 Ratings

🗓️ 29 November 2023

⏱️ 13 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of "Practical Stoicism," I delve into the profound teachings of Enchiridion 9, a text that compellingly explores the concept of freedom of choice. The irony isn't lost on me that we're discussing this topic, especially as we anticipate introducing the third guest in our series soon. Enchiridion 9 teaches us that our physical conditions, like sickness or lameness, do not impede our ability to choose. This wisdom comes from a former slave who experienced physical torment firsthand, urging us to realize that our choices, not our circumstances, define us. I take this opportunity to question the very essence of how we perceive experiences and their impact on us. For instance, if being robbed makes us live in fear of a repeat incident, is it the event itself or our irrational fear that shapes this reaction? I also extend this discussion to the concept of psychological trauma, which I'm starting to see as a series of unchecked, illogical choices that solidify into behaviors. This perspective might be contentious, but it's vital to explore how our choices, rather than experiences, mold us. Our discussion then shifts to the role of experiences in shaping our character. While they offer opportunities to make choices, they don't necessarily constrain us - only our decisions can do that. I relate this to a video game concept where choices impact a character's appearance, symbolizing how actions, more than circumstances, define our moral and ethical makeup. Finally, I examine how circumstances influence our choices, using the example of stealing out of necessity. I argue that even in dire situations, our choices, guided by virtue or vice, are paramount. In Stoicism, the pursuit of virtue is the ultimate goal, transcending even the instinct for survival. In conclusion, this episode underscores that in the realm of Stoic philosophy, it's always our choices, not our experiences or circumstances, that hold the true power. -- Get the lifetime ad-free deal : https://stoicismpod.com/lifetime -- Support my work directly on Patreon : https://stoicismpod.com/members Subscribe to my Everyday Stoicism blog : https://everydaystoicism.com Join the Actual Stoicism discord community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (A.S.L Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Enchiridion (Elizabeth Carter) : https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Most of our media are owned by a handful of tech billionaires, but there's one place that still operates like the internet was never invented.
0:10.4	On the new season of the divided dial from On the Media, we're exploring shortwave radio, where prayer and propaganda coexist with news and conspiracy theories, and where an existential battle for the public airwaves is playing out right now.
0:26.3	Listen to On the Media, wherever you get your podcasts.
0:29.7	Good morning, Prokaptan. Glad you are here, and I hope you're well.
0:34.3	Next week, you can expect a continuation of our conversation about fate, choice,
0:40.1	and determinism versus compatibilism when I sit down with Chris Gill. I won't spoil that conversation
0:46.0	for you, but you can rest assured that the ancient Stoics were smart enough to consider
0:50.8	what a will without choice would mean in their philosophy. For the meantime,
0:55.7	however, a respite from the heavier meta-discussion that has been consuming this podcast
1:01.6	and the Discord community for the last week, and also an announcement. Ross and I know the
1:07.4	gender of our baby. We found out the other day. And if you're a member of the
1:11.2	Discord community, you know it too. But if you're not, you don't. And unfortunately, I can't tell
1:18.0	you because Ross's mom listens to this podcast. And we have a special way we're going to tell her.
1:24.8	So if you're listening, Momsey, you better not join the Discord or you're going to spoil the surprise. You and Popsie are going to tell her. So if you're listening, Momsie, you better not join the Discord or you're
1:28.3	going to spoil the surprise. You and Popsie are going to have to wait. Today we will be covering
1:33.7	Enkairdion 9, but first, there are a few new patrons to thank this week. So let's thank them.
1:39.5	They are responsible for this being my full-time job, and they are responsible for you being able to
1:44.8	listen for free if you can't afford to support my work directly. So when I say, let's thank them,
1:50.4	I am truly intending to use that contraction. Let us thank them. Jim Dawson, thank you. Greg Stote,
1:58.4	thank you. Haley Shergin, thank you. Trisha Hold. Thank you. Carlos Canales, which I hope I've said
2:05.5	correctly. Thank you. Clifford. Lewer, which again, I hope I've said correctly, thank you. Y'all are the
2:11.4	bees' knees, the cat's pajamas, the caterpillars kimono, the tiger's spots and the bullfrog's beard.
	...

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