Stoic Week 2014 - Day 1: The Week, The Class, And Why Stoicism Matters

[@senquidam6318]

Listening to these in 2022 after I started my journey into philosophy and stoicism nearing 40. Better late than never and I am glad that your work is as timeless and meaningful as the works of the old philosophers, Dr. Saddler. Thank you! I hope your channel will be preserved to teach people 2000 years from now, too 😊

[@GregoryBSadler]

It's all Stoicism-themed videos during Stoic Week, starting with this one

[@MrMarktrumble]

philosophy is a way of living. Thank you.

[@MrMarktrumble]

Sophos-syne

[@GregoryBSadler]

Mark Trumble Yes, philosophy involves ways of living -- something that got lost by academic philosophers in the last several centuries -- but it's always been that way

[@MrMarktrumble]

my original intent was to find a guide to life. That is why, at the beginning I confused philosophy and religion with each other, as each offered a guide to life.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Mark Trumble There's a lot of overlap and interpenetration, actually -- depending on which philosophy we're talking about

[@twiningsfortea]

Listening to these in 2019. Thank you, Dr. Sadler.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome

[@patobrien5307]

Don't ask me why, but I just found this kick-off video just now, which helps explain a few things. I did find the Stoics Week page and the daily tools. I enjoyed the video, and I see that adopting stoicism into ones life is very personal. It is certainly not a one-size fits all way of life. And I like that, for I need not compare myself to others, even to the writers who influence me. But most of all these videos have taught me the importance of that examined life, and that it is not to look better than others for glory or class distinction. For those strivings are as unfulfilling as finding happiness through consumerism. But that looking at self and accepting self and being able to say, "Maybe we shouldn't do that again," shows that stoicism is a process, a work in progress, and not an end all that we can simply hold onto and possess. Hopefully, next year I'll pay attention to my emails better than I have. Thanks for a great week of videos, and I would not mind a follow up on these guys, from a different perspective. Not that I'm sick of anger, because I express all my fears, regrets, frustrations and defeats with anger.

[@GregoryBSadler]

"adopting stoicism into ones life is very personal. . . I need not compare myself to others, even to the writers who influence me." -- dead-on. I suppose that might be one thing that keeps people away from Stoicism, the idea that it is something like a rigid plan one must adopt. Well, if its anger you want, I'm doing an entire year worth of monthly lectures at the Kingston Library, and I'll be recording them. The topic for those is classical approaches to anger. I will be doing more stuff on Stoics as well -- probably a lot of that will wait until I get the History of Philosophy channel going in Spring sometime. I will, though, have more videos on Epictetus' discourses, in the sequence of videos I'm shooting for my online World Views and Values class. Here's a gander at what I'll be doing with that: gbsadler.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-new-class-philosophical-world-views.html

[@Paljk299]

Nice to see you getting involved in Stoic Week! Thanks for providing some interesting videos to accompany the week. Even though I'm not really a Stoic I got a lot out of participating last year. It's good that these useful ancient ideas are being promoted again so people can benefit from them.

[@GregoryBSadler]

I'm not actually a full-on Stoic myself. . . but yes, there's some great stuff about the school

[@Mark-tp1po]

Huzzah! I'm happy to see you're posting on Stoicism this week. I really enjoy your clear (and distinctive!) teaching style. Looking forward..

[@GregoryBSadler]

Thanks!

[@traich]

Gregory B. Sadler I am really glad that i stumbled upon your channel ! You have the richest content on philosophy in youtube and you explain with such an ease and fascination. Thank you

[@GregoryBSadler]

+stefan klisarov You're very welcome!

[@depasti]

I was considering going to a class about stoicism but I wasn't sure I'd cope with it, cos I did't read any stoic writers yet This is the kind of unconventional presentation that I needed. Thanks ! I liked what you said about anger being useful sometimes. I have trouble convincing people that I can become irrational

[@GregoryBSadler]

+Cristina Radulescu Glad the video was useful for you!

[@StuartSafford]

Thank you for the Stoicism. The week is a good idea.

[@WilliamBarksdale]

Just starting to learn about stoicism, thanks for making these

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome

[@AmidstTheLight85]

I'm looking forward to this series of videos. As someone that is trying to understand the spiritual nature of existence, stoicism seems to have its place within the framework. I am running into an issue with the schools of Socratics though. Wasn't Socrates the shining example of all-encompassing philosophy? I mean if you take the mode of questioning Socrates ascribed to, we can see that Socrates wanted everyone to think of each idea of something on a holistic level. It seems like if there are disagreements between Socratics then there seems to be a disconnect with Socrates himself. Thanks for any clarification ahead of time if you want to shed more light on this. Perhaps I need to be more stoic in my attunement of philosophy! :D

[@GregoryBSadler]

"Wasn't Socrates the shining example of all-encompassing philosophy?" No. He was a philosopher, not the entirety of philosophy

[@seamusmolloy6184]

I've just signed up for stoic week. I'm really looking forward to it. I hope it will help me with giving up smoking haha.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Well, it's worth a try. . .

[@seamusmolloy6184]

Gregory B. Sadler I have an interest in stoicism. I've read Meditations by Aurelius. I'm looking forward to doing the week as it really improve my understanding of stoicism.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Seamus Molloy Cool!

[@scottboatright3880]

Seamus Molloy How is Stoic philosophy going to help you stop smoking? I'd like to the try a similar application before I go the Chantix route. Let me know if you find success with it.

[@curtisvaughan8217]

Hey Michael what's your thoughts on lecturing in rhyme scheme?

[@GregoryBSadler]

+Curtis Vaughan Who's Michael?

[@MattUSMC1000]

The Christian religion teachings (being a Christian) and Meditations by Marcus Aurelious changed my life. I have been practicing stoicism for awhile now. My anxiety in life has reduced, I thiNk clearly and make better choices. The best reward is having an orderly soul and living a virtuous life. Self mastery= cosmopolitan. Marcus Autelious is by far as close to Platos philosopher King other than supernatural religious figures.

[@GregoryBSadler]

That's great to read -- that Stoic philosophy was able to help you out like that. It does have some real transformative power.

[@MattUSMC1000]

Marcus Aurelious * Sorry for the spelling and grammar errors. My iPhone is not cooperating. Thanks for the great videos and responding. My friend in the Army (I was in the Army as well) turned me on to Stoicsim. Imagine that? Hahahha. Our silver men. 

[@MattUSMC1000]

I should have mentioned by cosmopolitan I feel more at home wherever I go now anxiety is manageable.****

[@GregoryBSadler]

That's an interesting understanding of "cosmopolitan" -- one which actually makes good sense to me

[@Andre-bi3gq]

08:00

[@Andre-bi3gq]

Nicotine by itself is not really addictive

[@GregoryBSadler]

okie dokie. Good luck with your studies