Stoic Role Ethics and The Limits of Health Worship

Practical Stoicism

Evergreen Podcasts

Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.8 • 662 Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This episode clears up confusion around Stoic indifferents, especially when it comes to fitness and health. I revisit last week’s topic of context and explain why outcomes—like physical strength or general health—have nothing to do with Virtue. Drawing on Epictetus’ concept of the hegemonikon, I explore how only our choices fall within the domain of moral responsibility. I also address the common misconception that Stoics should always pursue fitness and strength, showing that what is appropriate must be determined by context and our various roles. Finally, I simplify the concept of the Stoic God as the rational, ordering quality of the Universe that makes life possible and worth aligning with. “We do not choose the outcomes of our choices, thus outcomes of choices reflect nothing of our Virtue – because we did not AND CANNOT choose them.” Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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1:00.4	If you're watching the YouTube version of this podcast episode, you'll notice that I'm getting very stylish.
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1:12.7	letting all this fame go to his head, but I assure you, folks, that's not what it is. And you'll
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