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Without The Sage Is Stoicism Broken?
Manage episode 418157263 series 3349193
In today's episode of Practical Stoicism, I delve into a challenging question often posed by newcomers to Stoicism: "If the Stoic Sage is purely aspirational, what motivation do we have to work on our character?" Addressing this, I explore why striving for unattainable ideals, such as perfect health or the perfect dinner, remains essential, despite their inherent impossibility.
I draw parallels between the pursuit of excellence in various fields—be it medicine, fitness, or culinary arts—and the philosophical journey toward becoming a better Stoic. This episode unpacks the importance of perpetual improvement and how it enriches our lives and professions, despite the certainty that perfection is unachievable.
I also challenge the notion that the unattainable nature of sagehood undermines the value of Stoicism. By embracing the continuous pursuit of virtue, we acknowledge that while perfection is a myth, the journey toward it is filled with meaningful growth and self-improvement. Join me as I argue that the quest for a virtuous life, much like life itself, is about valuing the journey, not just the destination.
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Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members
Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com
Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net
Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com
Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book
Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
311 episodes
Manage episode 418157263 series 3349193
In today's episode of Practical Stoicism, I delve into a challenging question often posed by newcomers to Stoicism: "If the Stoic Sage is purely aspirational, what motivation do we have to work on our character?" Addressing this, I explore why striving for unattainable ideals, such as perfect health or the perfect dinner, remains essential, despite their inherent impossibility.
I draw parallels between the pursuit of excellence in various fields—be it medicine, fitness, or culinary arts—and the philosophical journey toward becoming a better Stoic. This episode unpacks the importance of perpetual improvement and how it enriches our lives and professions, despite the certainty that perfection is unachievable.
I also challenge the notion that the unattainable nature of sagehood undermines the value of Stoicism. By embracing the continuous pursuit of virtue, we acknowledge that while perfection is a myth, the journey toward it is filled with meaningful growth and self-improvement. Join me as I argue that the quest for a virtuous life, much like life itself, is about valuing the journey, not just the destination.
--
Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members
Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com
Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net
Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com
Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book
Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
311 episodes
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