Episode
#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
1:28:27
Published: Sat Jul 09 2022
Description
Donald Robertson is a stoicism historian, a psychotherapist and an author. Marcus Aurelius has become one of the most quoted and most popular philosophers in history. His meditations have helped millions of people to find solace in hard times and deal with setbacks in life. But which elements of his life and philosophy have been hidden from the public and how many valuable insights are less widely known? Expect to learn why many of Marcus' quotes might be plagiarising lost texts from other philosophers, whether Donald thinks that Marcus took psychedelics during a sacred ceremony, just how crazy Emperor Nero was, what Marcus learned about not being seduced by fame, how the Stoics would advise people to deal with depression and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://www.manscaped.com/ (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get over 37% discount on all products site-wide from MyProtein at https://bit.ly/proteinwisdom (use code: MODERNWISDOM) Get 15% discount on Craftd London’s jewellery at https://bit.ly/cdwisdom (use code MW15) Extra Stuff: Buy Verissimus - https://amzn.to/3ybXgWs Follow Donald on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DonJRobertson Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/
Chapters
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the new features of the Lawn Mower 4.0, a body hair trimmer, and delve into topics such as the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius and how the stoics would approach depression.
00:00 - 04:58 (04:58)
Summary
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the new features of the Lawn Mower 4.0, a body hair trimmer, and delve into topics such as the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius and how the stoics would approach depression.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The podcast discusses the different perspectives that arise when comparing Marcus Aurelius' writings to a graphic novel and how his mother grew up in the same household as the famous Sophist.
04:58 - 12:12 (07:14)
Summary
The podcast discusses the different perspectives that arise when comparing Marcus Aurelius' writings to a graphic novel and how his mother grew up in the same household as the famous Sophist.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
A discussion on the potential influence that Stoic philosophy had on Marcus Aurelius, particularly in the writing of his Meditations.
12:12 - 18:06 (05:53)
Summary
A discussion on the potential influence that Stoic philosophy had on Marcus Aurelius, particularly in the writing of his Meditations.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The belief in moral certainties leads to the condensation of ideas into short slogans, which can cause confusion without proper explanation.
18:06 - 24:02 (05:55)
Summary
The belief in moral certainties leads to the condensation of ideas into short slogans, which can cause confusion without proper explanation. Unpacking the concepts of living and nature can take a lot of time and understanding.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The use of emotive language in online arguments allows people to get away with saying irrational things more often than in real-life conversations where they may be challenged more effectively.
24:02 - 32:09 (08:06)
Summary
The use of emotive language in online arguments allows people to get away with saying irrational things more often than in real-life conversations where they may be challenged more effectively. This behavior is further exacerbated by the prevalence of logical fallacies, such as ad hominem attacks and sweeping generalizations, in online discussion forums.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
This episode examines how philosophers in ancient Greece conducted their conversations in public spaces, inviting criticism and feedback from anyone who happened to be present.
32:09 - 38:00 (05:51)
Summary
This episode examines how philosophers in ancient Greece conducted their conversations in public spaces, inviting criticism and feedback from anyone who happened to be present. The speaker raises concerns about the effectiveness of modern therapy in the absence of such community engagement.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
Aaron T. Beck's cognitive therapy suggests that when catastrophic thoughts occur, they should be evaluated from a different perspective and considered arbitrary, allowing patients to see the world more realistically and avoid anxiety and depression.
38:00 - 44:59 (06:59)
Summary
Aaron T. Beck's cognitive therapy suggests that when catastrophic thoughts occur, they should be evaluated from a different perspective and considered arbitrary, allowing patients to see the world more realistically and avoid anxiety and depression.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The podcast explores how life can feel the same after a long enough time span and how much time one spends worrying about things that do not happen.
45:00 - 51:37 (06:37)
Summary
The podcast explores how life can feel the same after a long enough time span and how much time one spends worrying about things that do not happen. It also discusses the benefits of keeping a worry diary to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this episode, the speaker discusses how public performances and festivals in ancient Rome were used as tools to impress and win over the public, as well as how some emperors became preoccupied with appearances rather than governing the state.
51:38 - 56:59 (05:21)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker discusses how public performances and festivals in ancient Rome were used as tools to impress and win over the public, as well as how some emperors became preoccupied with appearances rather than governing the state.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The style of documentary that Netflix uses, interspersing archive footage with actors playing out events and experts discussing them, has proven successful with viewers.
56:59 - 59:33 (02:33)
Summary
The style of documentary that Netflix uses, interspersing archive footage with actors playing out events and experts discussing them, has proven successful with viewers. While some may not entirely agree with all aspects of the expert opinions, the dramatisations are captivating.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
The concept of 'amor fati,' meaning loving your fate, relates to the idea of releasing control and being carried in life, which is often interpreted as mindfulness or self-reflection.
59:33 - 1:05:29 (05:56)
Summary
The concept of 'amor fati,' meaning loving your fate, relates to the idea of releasing control and being carried in life, which is often interpreted as mindfulness or self-reflection. The role of women throughout history in the development of philosophy is being reevaluated as potential influencers in the field.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
This podcast discusses the possibility that the philosopher Epictetus may have consumed airag, a fermented drink that contains a small amount of the psychedelic precursor to LSD, before writing some of his trippy philosophical writings.
1:05:29 - 1:10:52 (05:23)
Summary
This podcast discusses the possibility that the philosopher Epictetus may have consumed airag, a fermented drink that contains a small amount of the psychedelic precursor to LSD, before writing some of his trippy philosophical writings. The podcast explores the use of airag in ancient Greece and its potential relationship to psychedelic experiences.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this episode, the speaker discusses the paradoxical balancing act of Stoicism between being grounded in the present and having a broader awareness of the whole of space and time, and how this could help in anticipating our own mortality.
1:10:52 - 1:16:15 (05:23)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker discusses the paradoxical balancing act of Stoicism between being grounded in the present and having a broader awareness of the whole of space and time, and how this could help in anticipating our own mortality.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
Acknowledging the broader context of our current experience can dilute the intensity of our emotional response.
1:16:15 - 1:20:58 (04:42)
Summary
Acknowledging the broader context of our current experience can dilute the intensity of our emotional response. Simultaneously experiencing both presence and absence allows for the enjoyment of pleasure without being consumed by it, and for enduring discomfort without losing perspective.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
This episode covers the life and philosophy of Emperor Antoninus Pius, whose adoption of Marcus Aurelius ensured the Stoics a lasting influence in Rome.
1:20:58 - 1:27:29 (06:30)
Summary
This episode covers the life and philosophy of Emperor Antoninus Pius, whose adoption of Marcus Aurelius ensured the Stoics a lasting influence in Rome.
Episode#497 - Donald Robertson - The Stoicism Secrets Of Marcus Aurelius
PodcastModern Wisdom
Chris Williamson talks to Donald Robertson about his latest book, Stoicism for Everyday Life, which aims to teach readers the timeless principles of stoicism and how to apply them to modern-day issues.
1:27:29 - 1:28:37 (01:08)
Summary
Chris Williamson talks to Donald Robertson about his latest book, Stoicism for Everyday Life, which aims to teach readers the timeless principles of stoicism and how to apply them to modern-day issues. They also discuss the benefits of stoic philosophy and how it can help us deal with difficult situations.