Voluntary Hardship

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

Amor Fati - Love Your Fate

In this episode, Steve and Dan discuss the Stoic concept of Amor Fati (Love Your Fate). They explore whether Amor Fati is tenable under different conceptions of Divine Providence.

Marriage and Stoicism - Part 2

Dan expands on the discussion regarding Marriage and Stoicism that began in Part 1. Dan begins by presenting the position of Musonius Rufus that it is the duty of a Stoic practitioner to marry and have children, and then presents his reasons to disagree with that position. Dan goes on to discuss how the Stoic Spiritual Exercises of Prosoche and Memento Mori relate to marriage. He also expands the discussion regarding the importance of evaluating the character of the person you are choosing as a spouse-to-be, and why it is important to avoid choosing a spouse based on their Externals, like their beauty, wealth, power, influence, prestige, etc.