The Havamal: Nordic Philosophy with Ben Waggoner

The Havamal: Nordic Philosophy with Ben Waggoner

This week I’m revisiting a conversation with my former colleague Dr. Ben Waggoner, who joined me to explore his translation of the Hávamál. This Old Norse poem—preserved in medieval Iceland—offers a blend of practical wisdom, sharp observations about human nature, and guidance for living well. In our discussion, Ben walks us through the cultural background of the text, the challenges of translating Old Norse, and the surprising ways the Hávamál echoes themes familiar to students of Stoicism. If you’d like to hear more from Ben, you can find his podcast Heathen History at: https://www.heathenhistory.com/ [https://www.heathenhistory.com/?utm_source=copilot.com] His translations of Old Norse and related works are available through The Troth:https://www.thetroth.org/shop/books-and-magazines.html [https://www.thetroth.org/shop/books-and-magazines.html?utm_source=copilot.com]

Don't Forget to Live

Stoicism often gets a reputation for being stern and unyielding, but the ancient Stoics never intended us to become detached spectators of our own lives. Their goal was to help us engage more deeply with the world around us. In this episode, we talk about the importance of balancing philosophy with joy—getting out there, making memories, appreciating the people we love, and living a full and meaningful life.

Circumscribing the Present

In this episode, Dan discusses the Stoic Spiritual Exercise of Circumscribing the Present. Dan describes how Circumscribing the Present can: - Ensure we do not suffer more than is necessary, - Help us in moments when circumstances are threatening to overwhelm us, and - Help us to be more effective actors in the world while we are fulfilling our social roles through appropriate action. Dan also touches on how Circumscribing the Present intersects with other Stoic practices and concepts like Prosoche and the Dichotomy of Control.

Voluntary Hardship

Steve and Dan discuss the Stoic practice of Voluntary Hardship (aka Voluntary Discomfort and Voluntary Suffering), which is physical discomfort that we choose to expose ourselves to for the purpose of improving ourselves.  Voluntary Hardship is implemented for practice in the Discipline of Desire & Aversion with a view to cultivating the Cardinal Virtues of Temperance and Courage. Examples of Voluntary Hardship include things like fasting, confining beverage consumption to water, wearing light clothing in cold weather, strenuous exercise, and foregoing other pleasures, among many others.

Diogenes the Dog - the Original Cynic

Steve and Dan discuss Diogenes the Dog (aka Diogenes of Sinope), who founded the Cynic movement, and was a precursor of the Stoic school. Some of the most important Stoic concepts come to Stoicism though Diogenes.  For example, Living According to Nature, Virtue is the Only Good, and Cosmopolitanism. Steve and Dan discuss their favorite Diogenes the Dog anecdotes, who was an undeniably shocking and revolutionary thinker. SundayStoic@Gmail.com