What Makes You a Degenerate? | Stoic Philosophy

The ancient Stoics based their morals on reason. They created an ethical system that focuses on living in agreement with nature, or, a universal rational principle. Stoic ethics distinguish virtues from vices, seeing a life of virtue as the optimal way to live. From the Stoic point of view, someone who lives a life of vice can be considered a degenerate.
This video explores a couple of examples from Stoic literature on how the ancient Stoics saw degeneracy or, put differently, a bad and sub-par way of life leading to unhappiness.
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Zeus pot: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
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Seneca (1): commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Pseudo-Seneca: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
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Rome: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
#STOICISM #EPICTETUS #MARCUSAURELIUS
00:00 - Intro
02:30 - Living in agreement with Zeus
04:01 - Fighting fate
05:50 - The man who cheated
07:54 - Laying in bed all day
09:46 - Sickly pale of lust

[@Ryan-Horgan]

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” - Suzy Kassem

[@swolejeezy2603]

So true, I am gonna ask her out tomorrow

[@MT-cn2uk]

@@swolejeezy2603 good luck dude. Don't let rejection get you down if it happens.

[@UppedOne]

@@swolejeezy2603 I hope it went well :)

[@trapx4]

@@swolejeezy2603 any updates ?

[@dork_face]

"cope" - Braddiano

[@LucidLivingLL]

Avoid degeneracy through mastery of self. Mastering life is not the goal, but to master one's own attitudes towards it makes man a creator rather than a degenerate. -Much love from a growing KZbinr

[@JaysonT1]

Don't you have somewhere else to sell your life coach channel?

[@LucidLivingLL]

@@JaysonT1 who said anything about selling?

[@divinestep3251]

Feel the Nietzsche's vibes reading your comment!

[@LucidLivingLL]

@@divinestep3251 bro I love Nietzche!

[@divinestep3251]

@@LucidLivingLL I really like his philosophy! I'm just starting to learn about him. I'm so glad KZbin's algorithm led me to philosophies.. it's so helpful for me to know there have been people with thoughts similar to mine and even better perspectives than mine. It's inspirational and a relief to know I'm not an alien lol.

[@FromIdeologytoUnity]

If you're beating yourself up after watching this video, to benefit from this stoic wisdom you must accept where you're at, the state you are in, and have compassion for yourself. If you feel insufficient, and believe yourself insufficient, that will be the result, as vice will be how you cope. Accept yourself as you are and virtue comes naturally, as long as virtue is what you intend, that is, and even if it isn't.

[@chucksmash1]

Very well said. Thank you.

[@conversationcorner1837]

I think that beating yourself up is a way to remain the same and not doing what is needed to change.

[@michaelmorse4444]

I'm genetically inferior trash. There is no changing that. I'm made to be either a slave or a torture victim.

[@themorningping9075]

Caught me there

[@andyfox6943]

And you can always practice to be better. Remember the past is a corpse. Today is here and tomorrow will never come.

[@Alexzan220]

I don't know how the stoic people gained such wisdom like figuring this all by yourself is really impressive

[@kenolson3064]

To obtain wisdom requires a quiet mind. Shut off all of the distractions, control your thoughts, find an unspoiled spot in nature, and observe it's balance. Then contemplate your place in it. You will find pieces of yourself that fit nicely, and pieces that are at War with those nicely fitting pieces. Bring Harmony too, or Eliminate those waring pieces of yourself. Then it will be easier to see that which is self-evident. Good luck!

[@JaysonT1]

They stole it from eastern philosophies, that's how.

[@megalomaniachub3856]

shutdown your conscious mind and ask.

[@frog6054]

They're genius.

[@ye9803]

@@JaysonT1 source?

[@lil----lil]

"The life of the unexamined is not worth living." My favorite quote of ALL TIME.

[@jub7345]

can you explain it to me

[@Dialogos1989]

@@jub7345 it is from Plato, or rather Socrates, during his trial and before his execution. People were annoyed with Socrates and his questioning and brought him to court on trumped up charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. They pressured Socrates to give up his quest for truth. “The unexamined life is not worth living” was his response. He essentially chose death over conformity. But by accepting his fate he honored Athenian law, and showed respect towards those who killed him. Almost a similar story to the sacrifice of Jesus.

[@Tuco_V.]

@@Dialogos1989 timing is everything, thank you

[@jub7345]

@@Dialogos1989 interesting but not very similar to Jesus

[@Dialogos1989]

@@jub7345 both were poor spiritual gurus that amassed followers, denounced the rich, emphasized the health of the soul above all else, betrayed by their own people, and loved them as they “walked to their deaths”.

[@shadowflare7230]

The part about lust was a direct cold slap of reality to my face.

[@Prince_Yonte]

Deadass

[@stiofanloingsigh351]

Not what I expected but what I needed.

[@Anonymous_UserOrNot]

same for me

[@themorningping9075]

I already knew but this was icing on the cake

[@nsebast]

I spent 8 years of my life partying, drinking and fucking. It was fun but useless. It was the most selfish time of my life. I hurt some people over that period, something I am not proud of.

[@KoH4711]

It's uncanny how these videos come out with exactly the right message and at the right times in my life. Thank you so, so much, Einzelgänger. I believe we need more people like you in the world, now more than ever.

[@conversationcorner1837]

Synchronicity is what I believe they call it.

[@Oddie99000]

If you don't believe in a shared consciousness between all humans, this is one more reason to believe in it. Synchronicities!

[@danroyeliminating265]

The algorithm is making hero’s and villains lamo

[@arwenundomiel6761]

Synchronicity is the Universe speaking to us ❤

[@sarahcinnamonthriving9563]

@@danroyeliminating265 Algorithms were created by copying The Creator's omniscient design of synchronicity, kismet, and the interconnectedness that is in The Universal Laws of Nature.

[@Tsunamisurfer29]

i love the quality of your work as well as the straight-forward delivery of the core content. Thank you.

Thank you 🙏

[@tdesq.2463]

Yes. He's Good!

[@Pav1901]

Was going to make the exact same comment. Very well done, concise, motivating, interesting quotes from ancient Greeks. Great work. Hope to see more from you on similar topics.

[@pandaboo8090]

You helped me view life in an objective way Thanks a lot for your content!

[@zackarymckay1375]

Was thinking about the forms of corruption that plague the minds of our generation. Looking back I used to think drinking, smoking, lying, and lusting after women was sort of a passage into manhood. A way of coming to terms with the unjust, and cruel nature in which we evolved from. However this video is a good example on why I left that stuff behind me.... Accepting that side of the moral compus does an injustice to the people that put their full faith in their community.

[@dork_face]

cope

[@qiff6667]

@@dork_face seeth and dilate.

[@eleven9286]

Compass

[@mikedanielespeja6128]

@@qiff6667 and don't forget mald

[@McShag420]

Meh.

[@uncoolcat95]

In my opinion the most degenerate way of being is when people lack empathy.

[@Lupine.]

A perceived villain may be more worthy of pity than persecution.

[@uncoolcat95]

@lupine9158 that's stupid and I hate it. -Finn the human

[@akritasdigenis4831]

You look like you belong in the lgbtq community

[@carlosribero932]

I just want to say how thankful I am to find your channel. You can tell you put a lot of time and effort into your videos and it’s greatly appreciated. You do an incredible job and I hope you keep making content for years to come

[@thechancellor-]

To the *incredible person* that's seeing this, I wish you all the best in life❤ don't over blame yourself, accept things and go forward. Don't let others define what “success” is for you. Get up, learn the skills needed and get after it, all the keys to a happy life is in your hands. Keep pushing.

[@adm7r]

Thank you, wish you the same ❤

[@adm7r]

@Ghost Tape No. 9 powerful, i needed it. Thanks.

[@josemorales5182]

Ay homie wish u more in life litarely a couple hours ago i was gonna snap cause of consistant loss and faliure in my life then i see this beautiful message made me feel better out of nowhere i felt the love in this mesaage .. I know i dont knoe u but homies for lyfe dawg :.

[@thechancellor-]

@@josemorales5182 ❤️

[@aroyaliota]

Lovely. Thank you 🙏 😻

[@ovidiudrobota2182]

Damn! I'm speachless at this point. It is one of the greatest videos on Stoicism I've ever seen. I almost cried - it made me weep. You're doing good in the world, Einzelgänger.

[@Muffindolphin]

I got randomly recommended this video. It feels like the video wanted to help me. Is informative, detailed,professional, and very good written. I quite like your content, I hope your channel keeps growing and you keep following this path.

[@notsocrates9529]

Laziness and sloth are my biggest flaws at times, I am either 100MPH or nothing at all. I take the thoughts presented here to heart. I can rest when I am dead or old.

[@tombard1269]

Great video as always, thanks for the free content my friend. My books by the stoics are on loan atm and I really needed to hear this today, really cheered me up.

[@MojitoMatt]

It is interesting how you talked about Lust, that it can be any pursuit of something that only gratifies us temporarily, but never makes us feel whole.

[@johnzenger7880]

This narrative is just so wonderful and helpful in bridging the gap between text and understanding. I am very grateful.

[@tdesq.2463]

This presentation is Priceless. You explain the most complex & complicated material so clearly and effectively ... Impressive!!! ~TD, Boston Thank You!

[@noreenebostick9593]

The less I have, the more free I am. Not living to chase after materialism allowed me to be stronger, wiser and better in many of my actions.

[@noreenebostick9593]

My life experiences and witnessing for 64 years, ten months and four days makes this video natural and living proofs of degenerate. Listening to the part of seeing faces being pale chasing lusts, is answered as to why I asked myself why are so many so unhappy. Now I have a much better understanding knowing the simple truths of discontent in spite of people having facades. Thanks for sharing on KZbin. Everything excessive is degenerate.

[@ph3619]

How can I come back from that

[@philippebiendon5809]

I so agree with you Noreen Bostick. I'm 18 years younger than you and feel the same. Cor Values are no longer pass on from generation to generation but dictate by society itself. What was true 5 years ago is no longer relevant today.

[@BigdaddyHognuts]

Ur not 64 shutup

[@saamanthatennege5218]

Aq

[@beansworth5694]

​@@ph3619 You don't, under the classical stoic understanding of the degenerate. It is the will of the gods that you be cast out and rejected for your failing to adhere to the natural order of rejecting one's nature. Don't ask for the stoic's help with combatting your own nature, instead apply the useful elements of their teachings individually. Stoicism doesn't reward vulnerability.

[@marcust478]

Certainly one of the greatest videos you ever made. This channel is so awesome.

[@created.black.soil.]

Painful truths most people became unaware of. Needed it, thank you.

[@AlphaMC]

videos like these teach me significantly more than school as well as improving my well-being. thanks for this

[@mackss9468]

I’ll always watch any video you make about stoicism. Well done!

[@User-di2od]

Thank you. Your videos really helped me in times of biggest challenge of my life. I can't thank you enough for the work you've done. I uploaded the video of my life and how I found a new meaning...

[@easyrider95]

Your video always seem to pop up in my life when I need them most. Thank you for your efforts, I'm forever grateful.

[@dineshjagai]

This was such a beautiful video, thanks for your work!

[@adityapande7885]

This is by far the best video I have watched in one year. It is so good that I will watch it again tomorrow. This is IMO, your best work so far. Loved it. Absolutely loved it!

[@CoachKenWins]

💯 agree!

[@macauikon6107]

@@CoachKenWins c. X Z x

[@wilmark5252]

Your videos offer great insights to life and soothe me before bed. Keep up the good work!

[@vitolay]

Very powerful video!! Much needed 🙏🏿

[@robgoodsight6216]

Thank you for your invaluable service to humanity!

[@ahuman1834]

Thank for presenting this meaningful piece of gem to us

[@Kerwin-Kendell]

It's at times extremely difficult to reconcile with some of this. Also it's difficult to deal with friends & acquaintances who regularly fall short of these things. Recently I had a public event, invited people I knew & few publicly accepted the invite - only 1 attended (first time this happened). I couldn't help being disappointed & angry (not for long though). When I can't attend an event or forget I send apologies & try to make amends - I don't know many who will do the same, no matter how long I've known them. It's difficult to deal with this.

[@Kerwin-Kendell]

@Bill Courtney never said I was above it. Expressing smthg doesn't always mean you're trying to gain. If you let it out in reasonable way it's helpful. I did think maybe someone might give useful insight, but either way I deal. Cheers.

[@danielhunter7693]

Damn brother. This is solid gold philosophy in an accessible form. Great work and well presented.

[@johnnybanana8562]

Beautiful work, sir.❤

[@nnn.nnn2]

I have been suffering from anxiety for years and one of the things that helped me a lot to overcome it, is Stoicism. Everytime I read or watch videos about Stoicism I learn a new thing to improve myself.

[@Mickeycuatropatas]

give up caffeine and your anxiety will lessen

[@shalashaskax]

There’s a modern branch of psychology that’s heavily based on stoicism. It’s called cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s very effective against anxiety, if you find a psychologist that’s specialized on it you will get better in a couple of sessions, no pills needed. If you want to find more about it you can start with the books of doctor burns. Hope it helps.

[@nnn.nnn2]

@@shalashaskax Thank you so much!

[@nnn.nnn2]

@@Mickeycuatropatas I don't even drink coffee...

[@amulyamalhi]

EZ, you truly deserve a Nobel Prize for creating such super high-quality videos. Lots of respect & love from India :)

[@TheRealJaded]

The same Nobel 'peace' prize they gave Obama for breaking the record for most bombs dropped per day in power?

[@Saber23]

@@TheRealJaded I know right? The Nobel prize is literally a cash grab now it just doesn’t mean shit anymore

[@danzimbr]

Man, thank you for this video, incredible work.

[@vishakhasharma2209]

Your presentation is so calm, clear cut, content is👍 ... vry nice...... & thanks..⚘

[@aroyaliota]

One of my favourite channels. Thank you for another insightful episode. 🙏

[@valentinostzekas]

*I feel personally attacked by the title, on this sunny Friday afternoon*

[@khoile8415]

Same

[@obitouchiha2581]

#metoo

[@JaysonT1]

@@obitouchiha2581 You were raped?!!

[@PositiveW]

Eh.

[@HonestTimes]

Your content @Einzelgänger is worth gold!

[@Tuco_V.]

This really hit home for me, thank you.

[@moum23]

❤ Your content is always superlative but the ones on Stoicism are exceptional.

[@JaysonT1]

I prefer his Toaism videos

[@JaysonT1]

@@SunnyMidnite221 Yeah, already watch George. Good cat.

[@ladyfantastic765]

love these videos because they force me to hold up a mirror to my true self and take stock of what i see. i certainly have my share of vices. being able to recognize and work on these imperfections is a lifelong task.

[@conversationcorner1837]

Awareness is the first path to making a change.

[@sospeterojowaoloo]

This is so Powerful and Elevating .A must listen to everyone.

[@lilithsmith1290]

Thanks for wonderful narration of the great men mind! Keeps it coming . Once is not enough to listen !

[@quotesthroughouttime]

For those reading this right now, remember, you cannot get well in the same environment that made you ill. Hope this helps you today.

[@Noukz37]

Thank you for yet another fantastic video! I share them often on my FB page, I hope it helps bring people over 🙂 And on the topic, I wonder, would the ancient stoics put playing video games for example, together with the pleasuring of our taste buds and genitals? 😀

[@LovelyMie]

Wow this a very eye opening, very powerful essay. I enjoyed watching this. Thank you so much.

[@gamal01]

Excellent piece. Insightful. Much to think on.

[@starkillerclub3755]

I just had to watch this to find out if my sneaky suspicion, that I, myself am a degenerate, is correct.

[@vanessakg8883]

If only society would accept these virtues! What wonderful words to live by and to embrace

[@aradi96]

This is the content I need. I love this channel

[@ryancier]

It is ironic and counterintuitive, and yet it is when you accept your fate and die to it, that you overcome it. When you fight and resist, your fate only wraps itself around you all the harder.

[@kagaria]

I wonder why tho

[@beansworth5694]

@@kagaria In acceptance fear is cast aside, improving one's capability to fight fate if they so will it.

[@matejblaha4659]

Thank you for this great content, I don't know ho you do it but appart from being informative, your videos have the most calming and meditative vibe. I think that two crucial points that stoics got wrong is our control over who we are and hence how we act, and the degree to which our society is just. We should accept ourselves and the society as it is and try to change it in the same way as we'd try to change someone we love - acceptance cones first, change comes second and you canmot expect too much from it. If you don't accept things the way they are, and the laws by which they opperate, you cannot change them, you can only break them and that is nor just nor virtuous thing to do, it is the worst tging you can possibly do. Love comes first, for yourself, your friends, your "enemies", the world.

[@beansworth5694]

Agreed, on all points save for the assertion that breaking a societal code is the worst thing one could do. Sometimes, if the rules are not just one is obligated to undermine them from both within and with out the system

[@D0MIN0W4LKER]

Your videos guides us to heal, thank you. I learned something new today and will be a better man.

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

Thanks for the soothing, yet ædifying, background music.

[@arturcernonog9915]

How would you consider the statement: "Everything in moderation, even moderation itself" ?

[@BlindBosnian]

Paradoxical. If everything is in moderation, then moderation itself is absolute, and thus, not in moderation.

[@arturcernonog9915]

@@BlindBosnian true, but how would you answer it in relation to a practitioner of Stoicism. Should a Stoic go off the rails every once in a while? Or should they be consistent and always along the path? Or somewhere in-between?

[@JaysonT1]

@@arturcernonog9915 I believe the Stoic way was to never sway from the mark. Eastern philosophies work more with duelism and walking in the middle. Going all out and just losing your shit is usually seen as next to never being beneficial and most the time being harmful in some form or another.

[@JaysonT1]

@@arturcernonog9915 Every action has its price and its pleasure. Being conscious of your choices and accepting responsibility is key

[@David-eu1ms]

Maybe this is just saying that we shouldn't be averse to pleasure as long as it doesn't control us.

[@usmc72409]

Makes me think of society today. So much fighting. Losing sense of societal values. Def see some degeneration here in the US

[@Mii.2.0]

That's what every generation throughout American history have said. _"Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.”_ ~ *George Orwell*

[@usmc72409]

@@Mii.2.0 Orwell is kind of saying the opposite in a way. Bc I think our intelligence as a society has been weakened. Logic and reason seems to not be used as much. Ppl seem to really focus on labeling everything. Not only do a lot of us not use the proper definition or change the definitions over time, but sticking everyone into a category seems to be doing the opposite of uniting us. Things are so polarized at this point. The mainstream and social media is a huge addition to that problem. Maybe all the generations felt that in some way. Easier to make sense of something over time. When we’re right up on it, it may seem worse or better then it actually is.

[@Mii.2.0]

@@usmc72409 Why not do something about it?

[@Mii.2.0]

@@usmc72409 And, there will always be people in the future who will not use logic & reason & label things & people. Also,, the past is much worse than now.

[@tolloromassi99]

Some? US is the exporter of deg...eneracy to the world!

[@Metatron141]

Thank you for posting. I completely agree with the message.

[@Gashouse5150]

Super awesome video and good explaining and story telling

[@TennesseeJed]

I love these videos! I know he's not a stoic but I think you should do one on Diogenes of Sinope sometime.

[@JaysonT1]

Diogenes is classified as stoic.

[@Skin_Man]

@@JaysonT1 Diogenes of Sinope is known as Diogenes the Cynic. He died while Zeno of Citium, who went on to found Greek Stoicism, was still young. I'm pretty sure Stoicism is an offshoot of Cynicism, though, as EinzeLganger mentions in one of his books that Zeno was a disciple of Crates the Cynic. Diogones: Born 412 BC, died 323 BC Zeno: 334 BC, died 262 BC Also keep in mind that BC counts down to zero (I keep forgetting that fact).

[@mosamaster]

This is exactly what anyone living in a mature society do. Live with decency and mutual respect. 💓

[@Mickeycuatropatas]

Indeed. BTW, Mosa in Spanish means mistress.

[@smoochie4667]

This video is awesome. I haven't clicked that sub button so quickly in a while. Thank you!

[@richardanderson2]

I do love the wisdom of the stoics! Great video!

[@glennsimonsen8421]

So interesting! Thanks for this insightful description of stoicism. Those people were trying hard with what they had. Their ideas were pale compared to the Kingdom values soon to burst forth in Greece and Rome from the strange and humble followers of a teacher from Galilee. The world was about to change in ways the Stoics could never have imagined!

[@hklinker]

No.

[@AtreyuHuxley]

​@@hklinker Oh but yes. You don't become one of the most famous characters in all of human history for no reason. It's all rather elementary my friend. You should try and take a deeper dive into the true essence of the man, instead of the whitewashed version you've been given by the masses.....you know, the ones who highjacked his otherworldly and divine vision in order to make it their own.

[@aquablue9912]

I sometimes wonder whether focusing more of your mental energy on controlling your reaction to events might cause you to fall into a passive acceptance of the circumstances.

[@wildoo9870]

"Anything in excess is a fault." In attempting to accept the uncontrollable, don't neglect looking for what can influenced and controlled. I would place this alongside laziness as a vice as its consequences are the same.

[@heinmolenaar6750]

The main factor of degeneracy is controle

[@vaga427]

When I understood after courageously fighting the system and having exhausted all options and probably suffering more than if I had accepted the fate( which itself was bad) it was more of an unconscious realization. So, to answer you from my viewpoint, everyone has a different limit and God(?) 's time for intervention. After that, and again subconsciously, I chose the option of finding out for myself the answers to the hard questions of life, and knowing no better it implied seeking God. For this, according to the two models/ paths available in my culture, namely attending holy communes or a life of an ascetic, I chose the latter. But again due to familial duties as well as lack of absolute conviction in the same, I had to come up with a creative solution. To that end I chose the alternatives to the two cornerstones of asceticism- 1) Denial( of sensory/ worldly pleasures) and partially substituted with denial of Self- Respect, as worldly pleasures such as life partner , etc. were shamelessly denied to me by the evil that has come to represent and paints with one broad brush my entire fellow countrymen. 2) Tolerance ( of for e.g. harsh conditions like climate, environment,etc.) with Tolerance of my fellow countrymen's evil. Unfortunately, Einzelganger didn't dwell atall on this seeming paradox between 'giving in' and courage. Though, thankfully I did get the comfort of knowing that courage itself is considered a virtue, as the religion( hinduism)I was born into has no explicit classification of courage as a virtue in as much as that whether one will be judged for bad karma if one doesn't show courage and instead lives like the Biblical decree of meek shall inherit the earth.

[@JK-vc7ie]

You have this 100% wrong. Literally the whole point of stoicism is taking action and “not passively crying over spilt milk”. You control your energy towards working on thing over which you have control. For example, if you interview for a job and don’t get it then the stoic response is to put it behind you and work harder, work on your experience, networking, interviewing skills, etc. In your scenario are you suggesting that pouting, crying and not accepting that you didn’t get hired is the proactive, positive or aggressive approach?

[@AnonYmous-ez4es]

Yes. Apathy is the sister of tolerance.

[@commslab]

I love your channel mate. Thanks for making these videos.

[@kukywuky6791]

Brilliant essay. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@friedrichnietzsche2557]

"If internet can't teach you how to improve your life nothing will." F. Nietzsche

[@friedrichnietzsche2557]

@Martin Luther you to

[@friedrichnietzsche2557]

@Martin Luther np

[@Vik1919]

Books: am I a joke to you? Also a few other things can also improve you.

[@charlesdahmital8095]

"What ever happens, assume that it was bound to happen and do not be willing to rail at nature." The problem with this passage is that all things you do then fall under the premise it was bound to happen. Therefore, you cannot be a degenerate. Even while cheating on your spouse.

[@theflamingone8729]

Yep, an excuse to abrogate personal accountability.

[@charlesdahmital8095]

@Shogun Have you met his wife?

[@charlesdahmital8095]

@Shogun OK Now reverse the position and you will find the fault.

[@Maiu13]

Seems to me that this passage is regarding outside events and not events that you produced or had a part in.

[@vierdoesit]

I really enjoyed listening to this. Thanks.

[@navik786]

Nice work! Thank you for sharing : )

[@LiborTinka]

I used to feel bad from the cold fact of impermanence - that all good things will decay and perish. But wait - that also means all bad things will decay and perish, too. Everything will be destroyed and recycled in the neverending universal dance. And we can choose to dance along and thrive or resist the nature and suffer. And there is a huge wiggle space in between that makes the play interesting - some people call that 'life'. That's a somewhat positive view for me.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

Being upset with impermanence seems to make the assumption that what matters is the end point. Not the journey itself. The movement though time.

[@LiborTinka]

@@Tribuneoftheplebs I have few life goals after which I can safely say I can die happily - since I am not there yet, not by far, it constantly makes me nervous. I try to enjoy the journey but you often have to sacrifice something for something else, like sacrificing time of taking boring math classes to enjoy beauty of math, or chess, or dance ... The sacrifice is not pleasant especially if one knows he can die before it even starts to pays off. If life cuts your endeavor short (injury, terminal illnes etc. etc.), then there is a sense of being "betrayed" by life, that you were only giving and sacrificing and never got anything "back". I know it's silly - I know life is not fair. It's just a really bitter pill to swallow. E.g. knowing that people who worked much less than you reap much more benefits just due to sheer luck. I hope - by the principle of impermanence - there will be infinite more lifes to enjoy all it's joys and horrors, maybe...

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

@@LiborTinka fantastic comment because it made me think. Do you listen to the daily stoic podcast by Ryan Holliday? Very popular podcast. Today's episode plus your comment really made me think. I recommend it to you if you haven't already seen it.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

@@LiborTinka "What would you do less of? | what expensive things cost" is the specific title of the episode

[@WisdominQuotes]

"Everything is good when it leaves the hands of the Creator; everything degenerates in the hands of man." ~~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile; or, On Education [1762], I.

[@noreenebostick9593]

Everything degenerates going against what God has said and created. One’s own shows how far off a person is from the creator of the universe.

[@davyroger3773]

in other words ideals are perfect, implementation is not

[@robsie7777]

Excellent presentation - thank you

[@gh0streduxXgaming]

Thank you for this video, keep it up!

[@chickenlittle1687]

A slave places loyalty above rationality. A fool places faith above responsibility.

[@JaysonT1]

@Ghost Tape No. 9 Cheetah inspire them to run.

[@TheDhammaHub]

The marks & features of "evil men" or "fools" are remarkably similar among many schools of thought. Morality and immorality are truly universal

[@TheDhammaHub]

@Ghost Tape No. 9 Well, nature surely does know "beneficial for a species" and "not beneficial for a species". Practically all moral systems are based on observing what is and is not beneficial

[@SkylarRuloff]

@@TheDhammaHub If morality is only based on what is based on "what benefits a species" then wouldn't it be moral for all men to try to forcibly impregnate as many women as they can to pass on their genes? Morals are made up by people. There is no such thing as universal morals. Some cultures think it's ok to have full grown men marry young girls. Some cultures think that it's ok to sacrifice humans to invisible gods. Morals are just what people say to criticize people who do stuff they disagree with.

[@tdesq.2463]

@@SkylarRuloff I agree that there is no truly objective morality, and that it is a purely subjective phenomenon. I also believe that subjectivity is not confined to the individual, but can apply to a collective group ... even all Humanity. Rational minds do think alike at certain fundamental levels. Personally, I believe there are certain modes of being/behaviors that a Healthy Human society can and should collectively condemn as immoral and destructive on various levels. On the individual level: Here's a good subjective rule: If You would not want it done to You, don't do it anyone else. Unless, of course, someone else has already violated that rule. In which case measures toward the reinforcement of healthy rules through the promotion of deterrence (general & specific) against such repeated conduct are properly in order. Excellent Note! 👍👍👍

[@moum23]

@@tdesq.2463 Good point: rationale for happiness is subjective for both, individual and their collective. This automatic thinking ensures enforcement of boundaries both in the personal and the collective space.

[@beansworth5694]

@@TheDhammaHub So morality is subjective to benefit. The key reason morality cannot be considered objective is because of the different systems of evaluating 'benefit' that are, by a large degree, determined by taste, none which have an ultimate core of verifiable truth. 'Benefit for whom' is something that comes to mind.

[@afca6893]

Gracias for making the video 💀♥️

[@user-by3ux5ou3y]

Wise words vibrating upon a calm life surrounding me yet PEACE is PIECE out here

[@KING-ll2mz]

I think that it is pretty cool that, in many ways, stoicism is kind of like a western version of Taoism

[@oneidea1121]

Different interpretations of the same workings of the universe

[@QuietlyCurious]

Ugh LOVE the Tao Te Ching (I know, not a Taoist thing to say)

[@hamzaferoz6162]

Isn't it more akin to Chinese Legalism* or Fajia

[@stariadreamtea]

Not at all. The Tao is much more relaxed. Stoicism can be quite rigid, follows a set of rules and lays value judgements on things. The Tao is spiritual, often beyond duality, beyond struggle and advocates for going with the flow instead of struggling again the tide. "Lao Tzu" is also depicted laughing and drinking wine. "He" (there was no singular teacher) was a free spirit, a jovial old man archetype. Far from dealing with life the Stoic way.

[@KING-ll2mz]

@@stariadreamtea The similarities that I saw were that major components of both philosophies had to do with accepting things as they are. Taoists realized that if you do something, other things happen in response. They concluded that fighting against these responses would only lead to more pain. The Stoics realized that if you do certain things, there would be certain responses. They concluded that following strict rules was the best way to overcome pain. Both philosophies realize the same thing, but go different directions when it comes to answering the problems. I think that this shows the differences, in general, of western and eastern philosophy. The western world concluded that the individual could overcome the pains that the world pushed through their own strength. The eastern world concluded that accepting their position in the world, to go along with the world’s whims, would be the best way to avoid pain.

[@JaysonT1]

I find your work in the eastern philosophies much better.

[@conversationcorner1837]

Have you read about Lao Tzu ?

[@JaysonT1]

@@conversationcorner1837 Yeah, for sure.

[@billm3061]

Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@timmccarty8111]

Wow. Your most useful video to date.

[@daniels1503]

I dont know if it's just me, but I typically enjoy listening to someone with a different accent who is speaking clear English like myself does. Which makes me want to listen even more, because I know in my heart that this wasn't his first language. -Danny

[@jimurrata6785]

Lose the fake 'old film' filters. It's distracting and only detracts from your amazing channel. Hectic and chaotic seems the opposite of your intention here.

[@SelfcareforBodyMindSpirit]

Thank you for this insightful summary

[@seddik6522]

Hi Einzelganger !! Every time I watch one of your videos it is very professional and informative and makes me feel better. Please can you do a video about zen philosophy called "No Mind''. Thank you 🙏

[@geordiejones5618]

What I can't stand is people who act like we're so much different today than we've ever been. There have never been any glory days except for the highest elite. Morals are so relative and dependent on time and culture. The only right way to live is on your own terms whatever that means for you. Its not utilitarian or anything close to fair but nature's only balance is of cyclical dominance.

[@hb2495]

we are weaker today tho

[@purpledevilr7463]

Reform yourself, you’re virtuous. Reform the Gods, you’re a degenerate. Reform both? You’re a prophet.

[@Beck-pc7ip]

I feel like I just got a lecture from my grand parents. Great video!

[@Tonkagang]

That was awesome. Thank you.

[@Densoro]

In pursuing the courage to champion wisdom and justice, I’m more miserable than ever, and vice brings me no joy. I devote all my time to the study of justice so I can tear apart bad-faith arguments, but everybody sides with the lazy thinkers who are better at insulting me. Injustice remains. Good people continue to die young, for these lazy thinkers’ irresponsibility. I work my trade until my body can barely stand, but still can’t pay my bills and care for the family that birthed me. I struggle to see a divine plan in the common man being killed by the greed of the rich and corrupt. Zeus didn’t refuse to operate on my stepdad’s cancer, insurance companies did. I find the heart of my misery comes from crooked rulers idolizing themselves as gods of fate, when they are just vice-ridden con artists, too rich to face consequences.

[@2coulin]

Although I agree with the general vibe of this video I enjoyed reading your comment. I'm not sure the stoics would encourage 'tearing apart bad faith arguments' - they'd likely say that it's something largely outside of your control. Secondly I'd suggest that perhaps you've assumed (incorrectly) that trying to change others' ways is your 'mission'. You say you dedicate all your time towards this mission, but maybe you're not being receptive enough to other paths. Also I don't think the stoics were trying to assign a moral value on fate; ie all the lousy things that you mentioned, all the injustices of modern life, should be accepted, but not necessarily embraced as 'good'.. I don't know enough about the stoics to know if they were Traditionalists in the sense of 'cyclic world ages' but many of the degenerate aspects of modern life could be interpreted as an outgrowth of a general state of decay within which we find ourselves embedded. All those injustices are 'fated' to happen - it's the 'season' for it, and maybe the 'divine plan' is for it all to rot and break down and fertilize a better world for future generations. Anyways your comment got me thinking - not trying to be a mr wise guy. There's plenty I'm still figuring out myself.

[@marcus268]

I agree on this, justice is not done for the head of society. Bad leaders create a degenerate society. Money corrupts just too much. If karma was in relationship with money a lot would change

[@aidansumner8364]

Some people die naturally, as Zeus planned. Life & Death are the natural cycle of life, one of the fundamentals to keep the world turning. Humans defy the gods will by unnaturally rely on civilization, which implies relying on other men. A true stoic relies only upon himself. If you can live a simple but active life, orientated around the family, you will find a good life.

[@A_Random_W33b]

Me, a weeb: Finally, a video I can relate to

[@johnhenrix3894]

Awesome work.

[@erickg6797]

I have been able to overcome every challenge I ever had except for one, and it has been overtaking me lately. This video came at my most challenging time. I have the cure in my hand, ready, but I’m not sure I want to use it yet.

[@Nightwalk444]

Fight the fate, like the struggler should.