Practical Stoicism

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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  • Summary

  • Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue (Aretê), which was defined by the Ancient Greeks as "the knowledge of how to live excellently," Stoicism is a holistic life philosophy meant to guide us towards the attainment of this knowledge through the development of our character. While many other Stoicism podcasts focus on explaining Ancient Stoicism in an academic or historical context, Practical Stoicism strives to port the ancient wisdom of this 2300-plus-year-old Greek Philosophy into contemporary times to provide practical advice for living today, not two millennia ago. Join American philosopher of Stoicism Tanner Campbell, every Monday and Friday, for new episodes.
    Evergreen Podcasts 2025
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Philosophy Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Are Humans Naturally Selfish? A Stoic Exploration

    Are Humans Naturally Selfish? A Stoic Exploration
    Jan 21 2025
    In this episode, Tanner answers a listener question from Wyatt Bennett: “What does Stoicism say about human nature? Are humans naturally selfish?” Exploring this through the Stoic concept of Oikeiôsis and the Circles of Concern, Tanner explains how our understanding of responsibilities expands as we mature. Starting from self-concern in infancy, we grow to care for family, friends, community, humanity, and even the planet. Tanner challenges Thomas Hobbes’ pessimistic view of human nature, offering a Stoic perspective that emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of human rationality and moral growth. TAKEAWAYS Stoicism sees human nature as dynamic, with our rational and moral concerns expanding over time. Self-concern in early life is natural but not permanent; growth involves widening our circles of responsibility. Nature’s alignment isn’t always pleasurable for individuals but serves a greater universal purpose. LINKS Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication: https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses: https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Choosing Your Counsel and Thoughts Wisely (Meditations 3.4)

    Choosing Your Counsel and Thoughts Wisely (Meditations 3.4)
    Jan 14 2025
    In this episode, Tanner explores the rich insights of Meditations 3.4 by Marcus Aurelius, focusing on four main Stoic principles. Marcus warns against wasting time on unnecessary concerns about others, emphasizing opportunity cost and the importance of focusing on appropriate external and internal matters. Tanner also discusses the practice of habituating virtuous thoughts—those we would not be ashamed to express openly—as a step toward moral excellence. The meditation highlights the innate rationality within us, gifted by the Logos, and reminds us that our purpose is to act in alignment with justice and reason. Finally, Marcus advises caution in choosing whose counsel to value, urging Stoics to avoid being swayed by those who do not pursue Virtue themselves. MEDITATION TEXT “Do not waste the balance of life left to you in thoughts about other persons, when you are not referring to some advantage of your fellows—for why do you rob yourself of something else which you might do—I mean if you imagine to yourself what so and so is doing, and why; what he is saying or thinking or planning, and every thought of the kind which leads you astray from close watch over your governing self? [full meditation can be found at https://stoicismpod.com/far] — (Meditations 3.4) TAKEAWAYS — Every choice carries an opportunity cost; time spent on unproductive thoughts cannot be reclaimed. — Virtue begins with habituating honest and just thoughts that align with Stoic values. — Moral reasoning is not just an ability but the purpose of a rational being. — Stoics must be selective about whose counsel they value, focusing on those who align with Nature. LINKS — Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members — Join the Discord Community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord — Follow the print publication: https://stoicismpod.com/print — Take my free courses: https://stoicismpod.com/courses — Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book — Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far — Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social — Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Death and the Choice to Live Wisely (Meditations 3.3)

    Death and the Choice to Live Wisely (Meditations 3.3)
    Jan 7 2025
    In this episode, I reflect on Meditation 3.3 from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, exploring its central themes: the inevitability of death, the futility of fearing it, and the Stoic imperative to live well while we can. Marcus reminds us that even the most accomplished and revered figures—be they healers, conquerors, or philosophers—ultimately succumb to mortality. Their stories serve as a humbling reminder of our shared fate and an encouragement to prioritize virtue over fame, power, or fear. Key Takeaways: Mortality as a Universal Truth: From Hippocrates, the renowned healer, to Alexander the Great, a world conqueror, and even pre-Socratic philosophers like Heraclitus and Democritus, death claims everyone regardless of their accomplishments, intellect, or virtue. The Two Reasons to Remember Mortality: (1) It motivates us to cherish the time we have and use it wisely, both for personal growth and to nurture meaningful relationships. (2) It grounds us in the natural order, reminding us that we are part of Nature and subject to its laws. Why Immortality Isn’t the Goal: The aim of life isn’t to avoid death but to live virtuously. A good life is defined by our choices and actions in the present, not by the number of years we accumulate. Marcus’ Reassurance About Death: Marcus suggests that death leads to one of two outcomes: either we transition to another life governed by reason, or we enter a state of eternal rest free from pain and struggle. Both are nothing to fear. Living in Accord with Nature: Death, like all aspects of life, is part of the rational order of the Cosmos. By accepting it as natural, we can focus on fulfilling our purpose—striving for virtue and contributing to the Cosmopolis. “Hippocrates, after curing many sicknesses, himself fell sick and died. The Chaldean astrologers foretold the death of many persons, then the hour of fate overtook them also. Alexander, Pompeius, and Julius Caesar, after so often utterly destroying whole towns and slaying in the field many myriads of horse and foot, themselves also one day departed from life. Heraclitus, after many speculations about the fire which should consume the Universe, was waterlogged by dropsy, poulticed himself with cow-dung and died. Vermin killed Democritus; another kind of vermin Socrates. What is the moral? You went on board, you set sail, you have made the port. Step ashore: if to a second life, nothing is void of gods, not even in that other world; but if to unconsciousness, you will cease to suffer pains and pleasures and to be the servant of an earthly vessel as far inferior as that which does it service is superior; for the one is mind and deity, the other clay and gore.” - Meditations 3.3 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses : https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Follow me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@stoicismpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins

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Great and thought provoking!

This is a great podcast! I have learnt a lot and I may dare say grown so much just listening to this podcast and trying to think like a Stoic.

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