logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
18m 24s

The Commitment To A Moral Life (Meditati...

EVERGREEN PODCASTS
About this episode

In this episode, I explore Meditations 3.7, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us that nothing should take priority over Virtue. Many misunderstand Stoicism as a philosophy of detachment, resilience, and isolation, but in truth, it is profoundly prosocial. Being a Stoic means fulfilling our roles within the broader human community, not retreating from it. I challenge the popular but misguided idea of Stoicism as a philosophy for lone survivalists, demonstrating how its core teachings—from Zeno to Epictetus to Seneca—emphasize duty, justice, and engagement with the world. True Stoicism isn’t about turning inward; it’s about striving for moral excellence in every interaction.


“Never value as an advantage to yourself what will force you one day to break your word, to abandon self-respect, to hate, suspect, execrate another, to act a part, to covet anything that calls for walls or coverings to conceal it. A man who puts first his own mind and divinity, and the holy rites of its excellence, makes no scene, utters no groans, will need neither the refuge of solitude nor the crowded streets. What is most worthwhile, he will pass his days neither in pursuit nor in avoidance, and it is no concern at all of his whether the time be longer or shorter for which he shall have the use of the soul in its bodily envelope; for even if he must be released at once, he will depart as easily as he would perform any other act that can be done with reverence and sobriety, being careful all his life of this one thing alone: that his understanding be not found in any state which is foreign to a reasonable social being.” --(Meditations 3.7)


TAKEAWAYS


— The highest priority in Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue—nothing should stand in its way.

— Stoicism is not a philosophy of detachment or isolation but of prosocial engagement and duty.

— A Stoic does not seek solitude or approval; they act justly regardless of external validation.


LINKS


— Get on the list: https://stoicismpod.com/list

— Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members

— 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

Up next
Jun 24
Figs, Fate, and When to Quit (Meditations 4.6)
This week I reflect on Meditations 4.6 and consider whether Marcus is really writing about death—or if he's reminding himself of the silliness of resisting what naturally unfolds. I explore the Stoic view of fate through the lens of the causal chain and point out where I think St ... Show More
22m 55s
Jun 19
Fear of Death? Listen to This (Meditations 4.5)
In this episode, I reflect on Meditations 4.5 and Marcus Aurelius’ effort to habituate acceptance of death as a natural and necessary part of life. Drawing from Marcus' experiences leading Rome through war and plague, I explore how his preoccupation with death wasn’t morbid, but ... Show More
27m 5s
Jun 10
Is Rape a Stoic Indifferent?
In this episode, I respond to a challenging and emotionally heavy listener question: how can Stoicism claim that only Virtue is Good and only Vice is Evil, even in the face of horrific acts like rape? This isn’t a theoretical exercise in cruelty—it's a serious inquiry into Stoic ... Show More
25m 59s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
Stoicism: Become Undefeatable
Today's motivation is all about becoming more stoic. Audio Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFkyxzJtiv4 More about Stoicism: Stoicism is a philosophical school of thought that originated in ancient Greece and later flourished in ancient Rome. It offers a practical and ... Show More
13m 31s
Apr 2022
34: Self-Control
Join me in a discussion of passage 109 of Daybreak: "Self-Control and Moderation and Their Final Motive". In this passage that we've oft referenced but not yet attempted a deep dive of, Nietzsche outlines six ways of dealing with the "vehemence of a drive". As Nietzsche considers ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 2024
Facing Mortality: A Stoic Death Meditation
Send us a textIn this episode, we delve into the profound Stoic philosophy surrounding death. Join us for a guided meditation that will help you confront and accept mortality, diminish the fear of death, and find peace in the natural cycle of life and death. Learn to focus on wha ... Show More
15m 34s
Apr 2020
231 | Stoicism
Joshua talks about stoicism, what it means to live a good life, and different philosophies for living with author and professor William B. Irvine, and they answer the following questions: Is stoicism applicable to all cultures? (10:05) How do I explain the benefits of stoicism to ... Show More
39m 31s
Dec 2018
Episode 53, Friedrich Nietzsche (Part I - The Life of Nietzsche)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically a ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2020
How To Practice Stoicism in Daily Life | Modern Stoic
Stoicism is unlike any other philosophy in the world. A pragmatic philosophy that has gained rapid popularity in modern times. It teaches self-control and fortitude as a means for overcoming destructive emotions.   A big challenge in today's highly technological era is people see ... Show More
7 m
Jan 2019
Episode 53, Friedrich Nietzsche (Part III - Beyond Good and Evil)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically a ... Show More
43m 41s
Jan 2019
Episode 53, Friedrich Nietzsche (Part IV - Further Analysis and Discussion)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically a ... Show More
54m 15s
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part III. Modern Stoicism)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
51m 6s
Jan 2019
Episode 53, Friedrich Nietzsche (Part II - Thus Spoke Zarathustra)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a man who suffered greatly from bodily ills, considered himself somewhat of a physician. Yet, his remedies were not aimed towards physical conditions of the body, but rather the personal and societal ills of his time. Nietzsche, often poetically a ... Show More
1h 2m