The Daily Stoic13 Joulu 2018

You Don’t Get To Be Apolitical

There is a common complaint drifting through the culture these days: Why did you have to bring politics into things? Can’t she or he just sing/dance/dribble/write/paint? I was a fan until you said ___________.

First off, how fragile are your views that you can’t handle someone articulating different ones? Second, how fragile is your support that you only like people who agree with you? And third, what makes you think you get to tell other people what they can and can’t say or think?

None of those stances are Stoic. In fact, they are the opposite of Stoicism.

The fundamental distinction between the Stoics and other schools of their time (like the Epicureans) was that the Stoics believed a philosopher was obligated to participate in politics. Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Cato—each of them spent the balance of their adult lives, and had their most profound impact, in politics.

To be apolitical is to be unphilosophical. Of course, each person should be thoughtful, inclusive, and civil in all their discussions, particularly ones about government and social issues. We should not needlessly seek out argument or contention. We should be ready to change our minds (in fact, that’s why we should talk politics). But the idea that we should take whole topics off the table so as not to offend? C’mon now.

Our job as citizens is to participate in the polis. To cast our votes. To contribute to the common good. To take stands when we feel they matter. This will occasionally bother snowflakes on either end of the political spectrum, but that’s to be expected. What it cannot be is accepted, as the way we will engage with ideas, with each other, with the world.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(3114)

The Most Life Changing Marcus Aurelius Quotes

Marcus Aurelius has only one core work, which was actually never intended for publication: his Meditations. This is not only one of greatest books ever written but perhaps the only book of its kind. I...

30 Elo 7min

Jet Li on Inner Peace, Ego, and What True Strength Looks Like

Behind Jet Li’s martial arts mastery and international fame is a deeply personal journey to understand purpose, ego, and freedom. In today’s episode, he sits down with Ryan to discuss the three levels...

29 Elo 1h

BONUS | 7 Stoic Rules for Staying Disciplined

Discipline is a daily practice, and these seven Stoic rules will help you stick with it.📚 Pick up a copy of Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a cit...

28 Elo 3min

When It’s Not How You Imagined | Seeking Out Shipwrecks

Fortune behaves however she pleases, as Seneca put it.🎶 Song lyrics: Lost Weekend - Phoebe Bridgers📚 Books: The Daily Stoic Lives of the Stoics 🎟️ DAILY STOIC LIVE | Ryan Holiday is coming to a cit...

28 Elo 7min

Stoic Lessons From 3 Cities in 3 Days

A chaotic few days on the road gave Ryan plenty of opportunities to practice what the Stoics taught. Between disrupted travel plans and visits to museums honoring Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, and R...

27 Elo 25min

This Is Where True Power Comes From

If you are a slave to your desires, if you are a slave to your fears, if you are a slave to things that were outside of your control, then you are not powerful at all. LIVE Q&A TODAY | If you get our ...

27 Elo 3min

It Takes a Guide To ‘Get’ It | 9 Core Stoic Beliefs

Wisdom doesn’t come from first impressions and it does not come easy. It’s hard work…and the only way to speed up the process is with the help of a great teacher.💡 We designed our How To Read Epictet...

26 Elo 33min

How to Be Freer Than a King

We often imagine that freedom means having more power, more money, or fewer people telling us what to do. But none of that makes us free if we cannot control ourselves.💡 We designed our How To Read E...

25 Elo 3min