PHILOSOPHY - The Stoics
The School of Life
4 min, 54 sec
The video discusses the philosophy of stoicism, its roots in ancient Greece and Rome, its key philosophers, and how it can help with issues such as anxiety and anger.
Summary
- Stoicism was a philosophy that flourished for 480 years in ancient Greece and Rome, and was popular with everyone from slaves to the aristocracy.
- The philosophy is still honored today whenever we think of someone as brave and call them stoic.
- Two key figures of stoicism are Seneca, a Roman writer and tutor to Nero, and Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor.
- Stoicism can help with issues such as anxiety and anger by promoting the acceptance of the worst-case scenarios and understanding the true facts of life's miseries.
- The philosophy suggests that one should rehearse worst-case scenarios to build resilience and to not be disturbed by unexpected tragedies.
Chapter 1
The video introduces the philosophy of stoicism, its history and its popularity in ancient Greece and Rome.
- Stoicism was a philosophy that was popular for 480 years in ancient Greece and Rome.
- It was popular with everyone from slaves to the aristocracy because it was practical and helpful.
- We still honor this philosophy today when we think of someone as brave and call them stoic.
Chapter 2
The video discusses the two key figures of stoicism: Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.
- Seneca, a Roman writer and tutor to Nero, is one of the main philosophers of stoicism.
- Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor, is the other key figure of stoicism who wrote one of the greatest works of philosophy, the Meditations.
Chapter 3
The video explores how stoicism can help with anxiety by promoting acceptance of the worst-case scenarios.
- Stoicism suggests that to be calm one has to tell oneself something very dark, like the worst-case scenario.
- Marcus Aurelius said that we are each of us stronger than we think and one will get through any difficult situation.
- The philosophy suggests that one should rehearse worst-case scenarios to build resilience.
Chapter 4
The video discusses how stoicism can help with anger by understanding the true facts of life's miseries.
- Stoicism proposes that anger isn't something you do by nature but the result of having the wrong ideas about life.
- Anger stems when misplaced hope smashes into unforeseen reality.
- One will stop being so angry when one learns the true facts of the misery of life.
Chapter 5
The video ends with the most beautiful remark that Seneca made just before he was forced to commit suicide.
- Seneca's wife and children were panicking and weeping, but he turned to them, pulled a weary smile at them and said 'What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.'
- The quote encapsulates the stoic acceptance of life's hardships and the understanding that one's peace of mind should not be disturbed by every tragedy.
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