Ego: The Stoic Perspective (Part 1)

Practical Stoicism

Evergreen Podcasts

Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.8 • 662 Ratings

🗓️ 18 December 2023

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today begins a three-part series exploring ego. I question whether ego is the 'big bad boogey monster' of Vice, setting the stage for a week-long thematic exploration. Initially, I discuss a meditation from Marcus Aurelius, which, although not explicitly about ego (since the concept didn't exist in his time), relates to the idea of self-importance. I note the difference between the everyday use of 'ego' and its clinical or scientific definitions. The colloquial understanding often equates ego with being overly self-important or pompous. Marcus Aurelius' meditation (5.24) provides a Stoic perspective, urging us to consider our insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. This viewpoint is a direct challenge to the ego-centric view, emphasizing how minuscule our existence is compared to the vastness of matter, time, and historical events. My interpretation of Marcus' message is not to push us towards Nihilism but rather to offer a cosmic perspective that helps temper ego-driven thoughts. This Stoic approach aims to provide a reality check to our self-importance, reminding us that we're not the center of the universe. This acknowledgment doesn't mean our lives are meaningless, but it suggests that we should keep our ego in check to maintain a balanced perspective. My goal with this series is to thoroughly explore the concept of ego, providing practical advice and insights that listeners can apply in their daily lives. By the end of the week, the aim is to have a comprehensive understanding of ego and how it relates to the pursuit of virtue in Stoicism. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord : https://discord.gg/stoicism 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.
0:31.7	Today's episode is on YouTube.
0:35.2	Yeah, it's a new thing and it's normal now.
0:38.5	2024 is going to see my YouTube channel get some very intentional focus.
0:43.0	But Tanner, it's still 2023. Yeah, I know, but I need practice. I want 2024 to see the kinks
0:52.0	worked out of this new effort. So today's YouTube video might not be that great,
0:58.4	but at least it'll be there, and maybe in 2024, which is in just a few weeks, the videos will be great,
1:06.6	or at least greater. This week we're going to explore the idea of ego in stoicism.
1:14.9	Is ego really the enemy? Is ego the name we're giving to the big, bad boogeyman of vice?
1:24.1	Maybe it is, and maybe it should be, or maybe it isn't, and maybe it shouldn't be. Either way,
1:30.9	that's the theme this week. Today, I'll share a meditation from Marcus Aurelius, as we usually do on
1:36.8	Mondays. We'll explore what it has to say about ego, if anything, and things related there too,
1:43.6	and then I'll leave you to think about it for the rest of
1:46.2	the day and tomorrow. Wednesday, I'll return with some thoughts, and I'll hear from some of you
1:52.3	via Spotify. Don't forget to weigh in on today's question within the Spotify app. You will share your
1:58.6	thoughts, and I will add my thoughts to your thoughts, and I'll use
2:02.5	all of those, hopefully, incredible thoughts, combined together to provide some advice, actionable,
2:08.3	useful advice that you can use in your actual life. And that will be Wednesday's episode.
2:14.6	Then, on Friday, I'll return with an interview guest to talk about in this
	...

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