The hottest Stoicism Substack posts right now

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Marcus Aurelius VS Diogenes

Classical Wisdom • 1788 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Comparison Lifestyle Happiness
  1. Stoicism and Cynicism share the goal of achieving happiness through living in accordance with nature, but differ in how they view societal expectations and material possessions.
  2. Stoics like Marcus Aurelius valued harmonious living with others and some luxuries, while Cynics like Diogenes prioritized individual freedom and rejected wealth and excess.
  3. The Stoics refined Cynic philosophy into a more widely accepted practice, promoting virtue and wisdom as essential for a fulfilling life.

Dealing with insults, the Stoic way

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 884 implied HN points • 05 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Stoicism Social justice Self-Control Humanity
  1. Stoics advise ignoring insults to maintain emotional calm and focus on facts rather than opinions.
  2. Debates in Stoic circles about insults involve balancing personal response with addressing social injustices.
  3. Important to distinguish between advising Stoics and non-Stoics, as well as between personal behavior and social action in Stoicism.

Five questions that will change your life

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 805 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Stoicism Hedonism Virtue ethics
  1. Death is a universal human preoccupation, but certain arguments and perspectives can help alleviate the fear of death.
  2. Handling pain and grief requires acknowledging and accepting the inevitability of suffering and loss, while finding ways to endure and grow from these experiences.
  3. Emotions can be challenged or encouraged based on their alignment with reason, and developing emotional resilience involves cognitive evaluation and management.

Is Gladiator Stoic?

Caleb’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Justice Afterlife Heroism
  1. The movie Gladiator raises the question of whether it embodies Stoic principles.
  2. Maximus's pursuit of revenge in Gladiator is seen as being non-Stoic due to his intense passion and anger.
  3. The character of Maximus in Gladiator eventually evolves to embody more Stoic values, moving from a place of rage to fulfilling his duty.

Charting Your Course: The Journey of Self-Discovery

Wayne's Earth • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Self-discovery Stoicism Personal Growth Philosophy
  1. Embrace Seneca's philosophy: 'Find a path or make one.' This is a call to action to take charge of your journey, either by discovering existing paths or creating new ones.
  2. Explore existing paths before deciding. Just like reading reviews before trying a new restaurant, knowing what's out there can help you make informed choices.
  3. Equip yourself with the right tools for your journey. Whether gaining skills, seeking knowledge, or finding mentors, preparation is key to navigating life's challenges.

What I've Been Reading | June 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue ethics
  1. The book 'Learning to Live Naturally' by Chris Gill explores Stoic philosophy and the importance of virtue ethics.
  2. Confucius's 'Analects' is a profound work that provides valuable insights into life and human behavior.
  3. Both Stoicism and Confucianism emphasize the importance of moral virtue and living in harmony with nature.

Action and Optimism: The Dual Forces of 'Do and Hope

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Stoicism Mindset Personal Development
  1. Taking action ('Do') involves focusing on what you can control and actively working on it.
  2. Keeping hope ('Hope') means trusting in your efforts and staying positive about the outcome, even if it may be different than expected.
  3. Blending 'Do and Hope' allows for actively working towards improvement while maintaining a positive outlook, shaping experiences with grace and resilience.

Navigating Narratives: A Stoic's Guide to Postmodernism

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism Stoicism Narratives Power Dynamics Control
  1. Postmodernism questions the big stories about the world, suggesting they might not be as objective as we think.
  2. Many narratives revolve around power dynamics, often portraying someone as the hero and another as the villain.
  3. Stoicism encourages focusing on what we can control, reflecting on empowering narratives, and seeking diverse stories for personal growth.

Swimming with the Current: Embracing Life's Purpose through Stoic Wisdom

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism Virtue Gratitude Community Purpose
  1. Live according to nature: Swim with the current of life, understanding your place and living in sync with the world around you.
  2. Cultivate virtue: Embrace virtues like wisdom and courage as tools to make good decisions, face challenges, treat others fairly, and manage your emotions.
  3. Focus on what you can control: Invest your energy wisely in things within your power, and let go of what is beyond your control.

The Art of Anticipation: Embracing Seneca’s Wisdom in a World of Uncertainty

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Psychology Preparedness Flexibility Implementation
  1. Seneca's philosophy emphasizes the importance of anticipating unforeseen challenges to cope with life's uncertainties better.
  2. Preparing for unexpected events can help manage emotional reactions and maintain control over circumstances.
  3. Balancing anticipation with flexibility is key - being prepared but adaptable allows for a calm and collected response to unforeseen events.

Title: Finding Peace in a World of Uncertainty: Lessons from Epictetus

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Resilience Existentialism
  1. Anxiety often comes from desires for things beyond our control like success, approval, and more. This leads to restlessness and discontent.
  2. Stoicism, like Epictetus taught, emphasizes focusing on controlling our responses and actions, rather than external events beyond our control.
  3. To find peace amidst chaos, identify what's within your control, focus on your responses to situations, cultivate inner resilience, and embrace the present moment.

Stoic Thought on Honesty: Living Truthfully Inside and Out

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Self-reflection Relationships Transparency Truth
  1. Stoic philosophy emphasizes living in harmony with nature's rational order through honesty, guiding one to live authentically without pretense.
  2. Internal honesty, like self-reflection, serves as a compass for growth and understanding towards Stoics.
  3. Stoicism encourages dismantling false narratives by acknowledging faults, biases, and irrational beliefs through rigorous self-honesty.

Anchored Virtue: Navigating Life's Storms with Stoic Steadiness

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue Wisdom Courage Justice
  1. Stoicism emphasizes four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control, providing practical anchors for navigating life's challenges.
  2. Wisdom in Stoicism involves understanding what is within our control, distinguishing between internal reactions and external events.
  3. Stoic courage goes beyond physical bravery to include moral bravery, standing firm in beliefs and confronting fears with a bold heart.

Stoic Meaning of Life

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism Virtue Acceptance Philosophy
  1. Stoic philosophy emphasizes living by nature and reason, aligning actions with the world's natural order and focusing on virtues like wisdom and courage.
  2. Virtue is central to Stoicism, guiding individuals towards a meaningful and fulfilled life, encouraging inner tranquillity and moral excellence.
  3. Accepting fate, cultivating an Inner Fortress, and focusing on gratitude are key aspects of Stoicism, providing tools to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and serenity.

Navigating Life's Game: A Stoic's Guide to Finding Meaning

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue Connection
  1. Virtue is key to finding meaning in life - be the hero who does the right thing, even when it's hard, using qualities like honesty, bravery, and self-control.
  2. Focus on controlling your actions and attitude, rather than worrying about things beyond your control - it's like adjusting your sails while sailing a boat.
  3. Roll with life's challenges, learn from them, and continue forward calmly - like enjoying a cup of tea in the middle of a storm.

Steps of Stoicism: Embracing the Journey

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism
  1. Start small: Break down big goals into manageable pieces, like eating a pizza one slice at a time.
  2. Embrace discomfort: Push boundaries by taking small uncomfortable steps that lead to growth and resilience.
  3. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate every small step taken towards a goal - it strengthens commitment and progress.