Stoicism as a philosophy for an ordinary life | Massimo Pigliucci | TEDxAthens

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  • čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
  • How to change your life for the better by practicing ancient Greco-Roman philosophy as a way of life. Massimo Pigliucci has a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. He currently is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His research interests include the philosophy of biology, the science philosophy relationship, pseudoscience and the philosophy of Stoicism.
    Having published in national and international outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, he is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a Contributing Editor to Skeptical Inquirer. He owns two blogs: Plato’s Footnote on general philosophy and How to Be a Stoic on his personal exploration of Stoicism as practical philosophy.
    Pigliucci has also published 153 technical papers in science and philosophy, while he is the author or editor of 13 books, most recently of the best selling How to Be A Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Komentáře • 1,2K

  • @BigDuttyDeezeHD
    @BigDuttyDeezeHD Před 4 lety +4268

    My Dad told me when I was very young:
    “don’t worry about things you can’t control because you can’t change them, and don’t worry about things you can control because you can change them”
    I obviously ain’t perfect but I recite this like a mantra daily and it’s always helped me.

    • @fibroyouralgia5575
      @fibroyouralgia5575 Před 4 lety +92

      Caveman Dan Oh. My. God. Thank you for sharing this. I just discovered stoicism and I’m already very aware this is something I was intentionally seeking to help change my life, however I have to say you’re comment quoting your dad, felt like it changed my mindset and perspective the second I read it. Thank you so much for that. I never had my dad around to teach me these kind of things; so glad you did though and thanks for sharing with me. And thanks to your dad too! 💕

    • @BigDuttyDeezeHD
      @BigDuttyDeezeHD Před 4 lety +20

      Fibro YOURalgia glad I could help my friend, I study stoicism and Buddhism a lot in a quest to fix my mental health. Sorry to hear you fathers wasn’t around, stay smiling 👍☸️⚛️☯️

    • @HeartOfTheForest
      @HeartOfTheForest Před 4 lety +28

      "I control nothing but manage everything."

    • @lydiatsch
      @lydiatsch Před 4 lety +35

      My favorite byline is, "There are two things you should never complain about: The things you can't change, and the things you can change." I didn't realize when I adopted it how stoic it was, but the more I read, the more it seems like a perfect embodiment of ALL stoic philosophy.

    • @brandonderrick006
      @brandonderrick006 Před 4 lety +2

      good dad must be nice lol

  • @subscribefornoreason542
    @subscribefornoreason542 Před 5 lety +1414

    "Emotions at the very basic level are the properties of the mind, don't let them dominate you. "

    • @raymondphilip6232
      @raymondphilip6232 Před 5 lety +6

      Emotions can't be control. This I don't know. Now I know better. 1% better than yesterday.

    • @musiclaboratory9694
      @musiclaboratory9694 Před 5 lety +15

      It's "don't let them" part I trip over everytime to me with rage it doesn't feel like a choice it feels like it's happening to me as much as the people or surroundings I'm in when it happens

    • @Chic.Geek75
      @Chic.Geek75 Před 4 lety +1

      On that route...

    • @Concatenate
      @Concatenate Před 4 lety +42

      The Stoics would define emotions as "thoughts about thoughts." And if you can control a thought, you can control your emotions. But even when you seemingly can't control your emotions, you can most certainly choose not to act with those emotions being the primary driving force.

    • @MrBrown-yw4oe
      @MrBrown-yw4oe Před 4 lety +12

      Emotions come from your physical state and self-talk. Positive affirmations and fitness help influence these but total control is an illusion.

  • @inchbyinchstories
    @inchbyinchstories Před 3 lety +189

    Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. - Seneca

    • @probrickgamer
      @probrickgamer Před 3 lety

      Pretty sure that was Thpmas Edison

    • @inchbyinchstories
      @inchbyinchstories Před 3 lety +8

      @@probrickgamer Pretty sure he stole it like several other stuff.

    • @jazaul7
      @jazaul7 Před rokem

      Hoe about bad luck?

  • @stoaphilosophy
    @stoaphilosophy Před 4 lety +503

    Stoicism is such a practical philosophy.

    • @mrmcbeardy9268
      @mrmcbeardy9268 Před 4 lety +4

      "Pragmatic" 🙃💯
      Namaste 🙏

    • @johnpijano4786
      @johnpijano4786 Před 3 lety +16

      Well, the romans were a pragmatic people.

    • @ericreed4535
      @ericreed4535 Před rokem +1

      @@johnpijano4786 As were the Greeks. Zeno lived on Cyprus in 300 b.c. The Romans got it from the Greeks 👍.

  • @jasonmcduffie160
    @jasonmcduffie160 Před 5 lety +595

    "Worry about what's under your control." That's a liberating concept

    • @fvkijay
      @fvkijay Před 5 lety +11

      I'm sure many parents have told their kids that for generations. They just didn't want to listen lol

    • @Concatenate
      @Concatenate Před 4 lety +19

      It is, and you must be almost zealous and dogmatic about it or else the world starts to suffocate you. Free yourself, only worry about the things in your direct control.

    • @robertkoch5553
      @robertkoch5553 Před 4 lety +5

      @@Concatenate Nothing is really in "your" control. Try to meditate and see how many involuntary thoughts pop up. You can speak of influence (on a continuum). Some are easier thwarted than others

    • @ksc743
      @ksc743 Před 4 lety +5

      @@fvkijay my parents certainly never taught me that. But would I have listened...! Certainly not as a teen. Maybe later. But they're both gone now, and I'm only just learning this now. Never too late!

    • @ihunterx59
      @ihunterx59 Před 4 lety +3

      no need to worry about it because it's under your control

  • @sumeetkotaria858
    @sumeetkotaria858 Před 4 lety +461

    I think this is a very underrated video and an underrated topic. This video deserves atleast a million views.

    • @spherex6523
      @spherex6523 Před 4 lety +8

      Maybe just a majority of that millions of viewers, that you are missing don't deserve to see this video yet. Who knows... 🤔

    • @FoxCapStudios
      @FoxCapStudios Před 3 lety +16

      “We should not trust the masses who say only the free can be educated, but rather the lovers of wisdom who say only the educated are free.” -Epictetus, Discourses, 2.1.21-23a

    • @LethalOwl
      @LethalOwl Před 3 lety +12

      We’ve got a million. Here’s to a million more.

    • @iggykarpov
      @iggykarpov Před 3 lety +6

      Oh, man - we got a stoic zoo here - Cynical Fox, Lethal Owl.

    • @Alexander-dz3tf
      @Alexander-dz3tf Před 2 lety +2

      It has over 1 million views

  • @Robin19196
    @Robin19196 Před 2 lety +93

    This audience didn’t deserve him. Excellent talk!

    • @bakhytgul4457
      @bakhytgul4457 Před 2 lety +4

      I know right? He cracked me up several times, but audience stood suspiciously silent. Checked the screen couple of times just to make sure there were people there at all :))

    • @BNK2442
      @BNK2442 Před 2 lety +1

      @@bakhytgul4457 I disagree. I followed him since the days he was a little respectable as a philosopher of science. The guy became more and more radical and these days he will say any nonsense that is fashianable. The guy lost all credibility he once had.

    • @bakhytgul4457
      @bakhytgul4457 Před rokem +2

      @@BNK2442 yeah, I don't know his background honestly, but I found his speach so light and a bit entertaining, not radical at all, so it surprised me why people kept silent. Was this maybe a way to boycott him? ))

    • @jakeellis9755
      @jakeellis9755 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Maybe they got the wrong idea with stoicism lol, maybe they just thought they were supposed to keep a straight face and be indifferent to emotions 😂🤣

  • @waseemyaseen6830
    @waseemyaseen6830 Před 3 lety +499

    Stoicism is not just a philosophy, but it is a way of living well-balanced life.

    • @nestcuni
      @nestcuni Před 2 lety +42

      That is what a philosophy is, a way of living.

    • @dynamis8381
      @dynamis8381 Před 2 lety +22

      So… a philosophy?

    • @michaelharrison3602
      @michaelharrison3602 Před rokem

      You can go to the gym eat healthily etc but you'll still die don't worry about death worry about lunch because you can do nothing about death

    • @farhanaditya2647
      @farhanaditya2647 Před rokem +3

      That's actually what philosophy is

    • @waseemyaseen6830
      @waseemyaseen6830 Před rokem +1

      I commented as compliment for Stoic philosophy. My comment shows I am highly inspired by Stoic Philosophy.

  • @poojabhandaari
    @poojabhandaari Před 4 lety +326

    if these things were taught in my school or college.. i would not have taken so much time to heal.

    • @andrejbatarilo2703
      @andrejbatarilo2703 Před 4 lety +29

      Not something you have control over now, so why dwell on it

    • @tsvgoali8843
      @tsvgoali8843 Před 3 lety +3

      @@andrejbatarilo2703 this one I don't understand. I thought the highest motivation as a stoic is to do things for humanity. So by caring and telling his opinion, what the school should teaching the commenter followed this rule.
      On the other hand you said, that this is out of your control so he doesn't have to worry about it.
      So where could be the sweetspot to combine these two things?

    • @ArtSio443
      @ArtSio443 Před 3 lety +8

      i'm sorry to hear that, and I can relate to this too, I lost many valuable years in bad life and depression caused by sheer ignorance of the mind. But remember, it's never too late and NOW you have control, so the best in life lies ahead 👍

    • @h...........................
      @h........................... Před 2 lety +1

      @@tsvgoali8843 you can't control others, but you can control yourself, and you can treat others with kindness and do things to make evryone feel better, the point is to not obsess over others because they are separate entities that cannot be controlled.

    • @josephcoon5809
      @josephcoon5809 Před 2 lety +6

      If these things were taught before college, colleges wouldn’t exist.

  • @weltkriegdrei3998
    @weltkriegdrei3998 Před 4 lety +459

    "unless a virus strikes you down"

    • @wilmercasallas5098
      @wilmercasallas5098 Před 4 lety +55

      LOL. Though, Marcus Aurelius had to deal with Antonine Plague, which killed 10million people from 150 to 180. Marcus Aurelius' command shined in all its brilliancy in how he fought with it. He, and the citizens, remained calm while he didn't run away from Rome. He stayed, and gave one of the biggest examples of the real good ruler the world needs.

    • @IIPapaMurphII
      @IIPapaMurphII Před 3 lety +16

      Laughs in 2020

    • @DNYL_
      @DNYL_ Před 3 lety +5

      Aged like fine wine

    • @horizon5677
      @horizon5677 Před 3 lety

      he knew

    • @ArtSio443
      @ArtSio443 Před 3 lety +2

      @@wilmercasallas5098 and he didn't even wanted to be an emperor!

  • @yungdadi
    @yungdadi Před 5 lety +289

    Stoicism changed my life

  • @Phoenix-tv4gb
    @Phoenix-tv4gb Před 3 lety +32

    Stoicism is an indifference to the outward circumstances and getting all your power from within... It actually frees you up to do more with your life 😍💖🕊️

  • @huarang4243
    @huarang4243 Před 3 lety +12

    WHAT STANDS IN MY WAY BECOMES MY WAY

  • @jesicaitzel6252
    @jesicaitzel6252 Před 2 lety +129

    Mi bisabuelo decía: "Si tu problema tiene solución, pa' que te preocupas? Y si tu problema no tiene solucion... ¿Pa' que te preocupas?"
    Alguien puso un comentario similar en inglés, y es bonito saber que existe este modo de pensar a pesar de la distancia, y por supuesto, de los años:)

    • @kristinasanchez8510
      @kristinasanchez8510 Před 2 lety +6

      Tu abuelo es sabio, esa frase es filosofía dicha por Dalai Lama .

    • @Dynamoe1836
      @Dynamoe1836 Před rokem

      Abuelo sabio

    • @caiquefrancis
      @caiquefrancis Před rokem

      bueno, nos preocupamos para poder reflexionar y solucionarlo...

    • @pinkyswearing1536
      @pinkyswearing1536 Před rokem +3

      @@caiquefrancis para eso nos OCUPAMOS en la acción efectiva que resuelve el problema, preocuparse es innecesario, especialmente preocuparse como la mayoría del mundo hispanohablente percibe y transmite el concepto de “preocupación”. Un cálido saludo.

  • @TejaKarlapudi
    @TejaKarlapudi Před 3 lety +107

    Stoicism is the most underrated philosophy. The one that actually helps humans deal with problems.

  • @fedev80
    @fedev80 Před 4 lety +131

    We need stoicism more than ever, a beacon from within the roots of our civilization that got lost in time somewhow. I think about any modern problem in the light of stoicism, and I'am amazed of how lost we are.

    • @danieldeiparine5716
      @danieldeiparine5716 Před 3 lety +14

      We maybe technologically advanced, but when it comes to us, we are truly lost.

    • @jeffmiller3499
      @jeffmiller3499 Před 3 lety +13

      Literally amazed. Our technology has long surpassed our ability to comprehend what it fully entails & more so the effect it has on us, society and all of nature.

    • @danieldeiparine5716
      @danieldeiparine5716 Před 3 lety

      @@jeffmiller3499 indeed

    • @Lapprenti-sage343
      @Lapprenti-sage343 Před 3 lety

      It's sad...

  • @ClintskySnakeMan
    @ClintskySnakeMan Před 5 lety +39

    Practicing Stoicism has helped me get through deaths, that I had zero control of, and things that did not work out or things I forgot and could not undo, and may etc. Things out of your control are just that, nothing you can do damn thing about!

  • @reiden4055
    @reiden4055 Před 3 lety +14

    "Unless a virus strikes you down"
    I felt that. I think Stoicism could be really useful in our lives -especially today.

  • @xensonar9652
    @xensonar9652 Před 2 lety +10

    I think I was journeying towards stoicism before I knew it was even a thing. When I first discovered it, it was like a pair of shoes that fit me perfectly. Now it's just a matter of if I want to commit to the road and walk all the way.

    • @dannyarcher6370
      @dannyarcher6370 Před rokem +2

      I just discovered Stoicism in the last couple of weeks having come to similar conclusions around seven years ago. I understand exactly what you mean.

  • @thetruth4654
    @thetruth4654 Před 4 lety +165

    I think Stoicism is one of the things that can help people get a life that isn`t just ordinary. It increases peoples productivity and if you put in enough work you can achive anything.

    • @freedomworks3976
      @freedomworks3976 Před rokem

      If you put in enough work you can achieve anything

    • @shanghaiedsigrid
      @shanghaiedsigrid Před 7 měsíci +3

      Isn't he saying the opposite? Outcomes are beyond our control. You might not achieve what you aim for despite your best efforts. You should therefore put your sense of worth and value on your intentions and efforts, and not judge yourself by the outcomes.

  • @XDlosDominicans
    @XDlosDominicans Před 5 lety +397

    I'm currently reading (well, listening, through Audible) The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, and a lot of the things mentioned in the book, I find that I already do naturally. However, it gives added information and insight on the philosophy. Great read/listen!

    • @thienpham778
      @thienpham778 Před 4 lety +29

      Me, too, I have been stoic even before I discovered the term "stoicism". Truly a self discovery.

    • @Thepankaz1
      @Thepankaz1 Před 4 lety +6

      Most importantly it summarizes ur thoughts and gives powerfull mantras

    • @talkingback369
      @talkingback369 Před 4 lety +3

      I currently reading his book "HOW TO BE STOIC."

    • @diogeneslantern18
      @diogeneslantern18 Před 3 lety +2

      Like all philosophy, it is NOT a you should be listening to via audio book. It's meant to be contemplated line by line.

    • @lachyt5247
      @lachyt5247 Před 2 lety +18

      @@diogeneslantern18 Bad news for all blind people, apparently the only way a sentence can be contemplated is visually...

  • @tonywalton1052
    @tonywalton1052 Před 5 lety +2264

    After being shipwrecked he went to a bookstore

    • @bakedutah8411
      @bakedutah8411 Před 5 lety +284

      That’s what you do after being shipwrecked. Everyone knows that. Well, a bookshop or a Starbucks.

    • @shobanana1
      @shobanana1 Před 5 lety +150

      He was already a wise man.

    • @martinlarsson8947
      @martinlarsson8947 Před 5 lety +58

      I go to the library when i miss the train. PotatO potAto.

    • @christiaanloedolff4467
      @christiaanloedolff4467 Před 5 lety +49

      He couldn't find any bookstores on the ocean...

    • @deidrataylor2919
      @deidrataylor2919 Před 5 lety +3

      @@christiaanloedolff4467 😂

  • @Jason918114
    @Jason918114 Před 5 lety +73

    6:15 got real interesting. "If I die later, I'll take a lunch now."

  • @mementocatharsis9372
    @mementocatharsis9372 Před 4 lety +66

    To everyone saying you already do lots of this stuff - you're doing it because it's a part of your culture, which has been given Stoicism for hundreds of years. That's why you do it already. It's an ancient part of our culture

    • @dannyarcher6370
      @dannyarcher6370 Před rokem +5

      Westerners keep looking to other cultures for wisdom and denigrating our own when we already have that same wisdom in our own history. It may have been diluted and twisted by Christianity but it's always been with us.

  • @Jonedcc
    @Jonedcc Před 5 lety +253

    This is under rated

  • @docauch5938
    @docauch5938 Před 3 lety +15

    Somehow I’ve been practicing this for years without knowing

  • @REBTDoctor
    @REBTDoctor Před 5 lety +329

    Massimo does it again! A lovely 20-minute presentation on Stoicism. If you want to do more than just survive in life and if you want to live a meaningful life watch this video and learn about Stoicism from Massimo. He is an expert!

    • @Strongbodystrongsoul
      @Strongbodystrongsoul Před 5 lety +1

      Walter J. Matweychuk, PhD I agree 👍🏼

    • @howardquiscombe3855
      @howardquiscombe3855 Před 5 lety +2

      Expert? I wouldn't take on trust the speaker's claim, without substantiation, that Nelson Mandela read Marcus Aurelius.

    • @CaroDuran29
      @CaroDuran29 Před 3 lety +1

      Completely correct.

  • @ferdylondon
    @ferdylondon Před 3 lety +20

    Still my go to philosophy for living. Currently in my life, there is a family problem far way from where I live. I can control nothing, add or take away nothing from the problem. Yet, I listen to all sides and am present virtually so that problems are expressed. In this case I am exercising courage by getting involved and doing the right thing and justice by enabling all sides the space and time to exert their doubts and worries. It is truly enlightening to see a philosophy slot into your life like this. I feel empowered.

    • @caiquefrancis
      @caiquefrancis Před rokem

      did your problem come to a 'good' solution? I hope so!

  • @jakeparker9261
    @jakeparker9261 Před 4 lety +57

    I was reading his book: "How to be a stoic". Best book I've ever read!

    • @Evija3000
      @Evija3000 Před 3 lety +3

      Thanks for the suggestion!

  • @anthonyali5336
    @anthonyali5336 Před 2 lety +11

    18:01 "We wear a number of masks, and we change them continuously."
    18:16 "And the idea is that a happy life is, in fact, a life well balanced, where you play all these roles as the best actor you can possibly be."
    🤝

  • @d.b.s.6381
    @d.b.s.6381 Před 3 měsíci +2

    I read this man's books while in prison, and they helped tremendously with my stay there.
    And there is no better place I can think of to practice stoicism than in prison.

  • @JCarter3000
    @JCarter3000 Před 4 lety +8

    Having a very Southern-US evangelical Christian upbringing, I can't resist the urge to say "amen!" or "Preach it" when I hear philosophy speak to my soul like this. It almost feels that we are brainwashed to overvalue extrinsic values (money, status, appearance, etc) instead of intrinsic values (time, enjoyment, and personal interests, etc). More people are learning the enormous value of philosophy as it becomes more relevant: We feel increasingly invisible. Many of us feel led to believe that, as individuals, we don't matter in this world and that life is pointless but that is wrong (if you think it). I hope for a day that we practically have "philosophy churches:" This stuff changes lives, hearts, and minds just as religions and it is needed today more than ever. The texts from the great philosophers are not put forth as "Divine truth" like holy books but their merit is self-evident: They can't receive tithes because philosophers are honest and would be repulsed by the idea lol. Also, Philosophy Rules.

  • @narjisbl2486
    @narjisbl2486 Před 4 lety +2440

    I felt bad when they didnt laugh at his jokes

    • @Neverender6
      @Neverender6 Před 4 lety +1805

      Don't feel bad, a speaker can't control whether or not his audience laughs at his jokes. As a stoic, he does not attach his self-esteem to the outcome, he only attaches it to what's under his control: his attempt. 😉

    • @luckyluke4276
      @luckyluke4276 Před 4 lety +257

      It’s because the microphone is not recording the audience

    • @Karl-pu5cn
      @Karl-pu5cn Před 4 lety +70

      I'm sure it couldn't have bothered him haha

    • @popoymotmot
      @popoymotmot Před 4 lety +176

      He's a stoic he doesn't care

    • @lightlynx435
      @lightlynx435 Před 4 lety +6

      Lucky Luke yeah but u hear them clap at the end

  • @Jesuslovesu23
    @Jesuslovesu23 Před 5 lety +356

    Pretty insightful. I think the hard part is being able to think logically when emotional. I don't think we should disregard emotion but learning how to process them first instead of acting on impulse can be tricky for me. So recently I've been trying to more firmly establish what my values/goals and act accordingly. Hopefully that helps make things easier. Really liked this.

    • @yarazr12
      @yarazr12 Před 5 lety +33

      this is why stoicism appeals to me; I find it hard to manage my emotions when I'm feeling them so intensely. With stoicism you don't deny their presence and intensity yet train yourself to think before you act on emotional impulses; pinpointing the reason behind our emotions and feelings is something I struggle with but once I rationalize them I gain back my power in a way. But totally agree and feel with you about thinking logically when emotional.

    • @dpayne6567
      @dpayne6567 Před 5 lety +5

      Rational thinking and emotional thinking are two different states. Emotional is the nest where most of our problems are found. Our fears, our misguided nonsensical beliefs.

    • @gregshirley8070
      @gregshirley8070 Před 5 lety +38

      A good place to start with learning how to control emotions, which is what I did at first, is to practice being the last to talk. Do not give into the impulse to share your idea or statement first. It is harder than it sounds, but once you master this you will be closer to your goal

    • @nikosorf4250
      @nikosorf4250 Před 5 lety +6

      "Blinded from anger"
      Anger, or any other emotion can take control of your actions if intensified, when you're in that moment it's not your conscious mind that is in control, but your primal instincts
      Stoicism for me is about maintaining control of yourself

    • @ankit7343
      @ankit7343 Před 5 lety +1

      How do you go about it @Raquel L ?? Did it helped keeping aside emotional part and being more logical in the first place ??

  • @FromCommandotoYogi
    @FromCommandotoYogi Před 2 lety +7

    Where has this been all my life. I'm been living like this since I can remember. Wow, this is beautiful! Everything seems to be flowing at the same time at the moment. Yeeehaaaa to life everyone ❤️

  • @ghostaskrens7012
    @ghostaskrens7012 Před 5 lety +32

    Stoicism is life!

  • @crystalflores9735
    @crystalflores9735 Před 2 lety +6

    I didn't know about stoicism until I stumble on this video. This guy deserves a credit!

  • @user-gh5hi6fb4t
    @user-gh5hi6fb4t Před 2 lety +20

    When you read the book, of course you realize how crumpled and hurried this performance is. But Pillucci had to meet the allotted time, and he did it as worthily as possible.
    If you liked this video, get yourself a book by the author, "How to Be Stoic?" . It is definitely worth it.
    Very thanks!

  • @williammorse8330
    @williammorse8330 Před 5 lety +117

    The part about "saving energy" and not wasting time and emotion on that which is not under our control speaks to me. The
    whole concept of stoicism reminds me of "existentialism" which Jean Paul Sartre held to in the main message of his
    writings.... do your best, what you feel is right and don't focus on the result.
    thanks for uploading!

    • @manukrishnasadhak1320
      @manukrishnasadhak1320 Před 5 lety +2

      Its Bhagavad Gita.

    • @iknowsomestuff7131
      @iknowsomestuff7131 Před 3 lety +1

      @@manukrishnasadhak1320 true ! Same kind of thing there too .

    • @freedomworks3976
      @freedomworks3976 Před rokem

      Existentialism is my favorite philosophy stoicism is my very close second

    • @jht3fougifh393
      @jht3fougifh393 Před rokem

      Yikes, don't think about results? Sounds kind of the opposite of Stoicism! Am I misunderstanding...?

    • @victoralvarez1610
      @victoralvarez1610 Před rokem

      @@jht3fougifh393 stoicism, as I understand, establishes that moral value is found only in one’s decision to act; the thing upon which the act is made has no moral value so it is not worth the stoic’s concern beyond simply knowing its practical impact and whether it may be a preferred indifferent.

  • @tallytally3780
    @tallytally3780 Před 5 lety +1454

    To whom stoicism seems like common sense hit like!

  • @Satsui_No_Hado
    @Satsui_No_Hado Před 4 lety +68

    Massimo is so good , I love listening to his lectures on stoicism and his Ted talk is fantastic , one of my guides into learning and applying stoicism , fantastic work Massimo!

  • @donna.g7442
    @donna.g7442 Před 5 lety +20

    I first learned about Stoicism in 1963 in an introductory Philosophy course. I have put 3 of the cardinal virtues of Stoicism on my side of our tombstone (happily married 53+ years with kids and grandkids). The virtues are: pietas (moral duty), dignitas (honourable behaviour and self-worth), and gravitas (appropriate self-control). These are aspirations to live by. I have found that a pragmatic and modern contextual understanding of the Enchiridion works for me. Jordan Peterson's messages are in essence pragmatic Stoicism, I believe.

    • @TheRisskee
      @TheRisskee Před 5 lety

      What about Logos? Pietas, Dignitas, and Gravitas are essentially nonexistent without Logos.
      I love that the stoic principles are on your grave marker. For those of us who enjoy a stroll through a graveyard and for the generations to come that might study us in the future, it's important for them to read such things in order to keep philosophy alive.

    • @aadinathkorade3037
      @aadinathkorade3037 Před 5 lety

      Patrick G. Hi

  • @marnagchauhan1406
    @marnagchauhan1406 Před rokem +2

    On another note, this is also one of the core philosophies of karma yoga explained in the Bhagwad Gita. Interesting to see how great philosophies and thoughts conveyed the same truths of life, justifies the ‘truth’ remaining constant in all spheres of life!

  • @michaelbarry8513
    @michaelbarry8513 Před rokem +3

    Stoicism is also indifference to both pleasure and pain.....and while it is easy to be indifferent to pleasure it is extremely difficult to be indifferent to pain.

    • @geronimomiles312
      @geronimomiles312 Před rokem

      They admit pain is felt and that the body is not really under our control.
      But people often do things despite the prospects of pain or expectations about pleasure. That's where the courage comes in , and the integrity of a sense of justice.
      In the story the guy who abandoned his kid ,he caved in fear about his emotional pain, and the stoic view is that this is wrong.
      The philosophy is not magic or movie memes, and should not be expected to be. ( Such would be a straw man argument, that stoicism is BS because it does not render flesh into stone.)
      If one has ever done things they did not want to, or has ever endured , then one has validated the point in their own lives , that they can indeed assign a level of indifference to pleasures and pains.
      A hugely obese person may fail to control the desires of diet , being more indifferent to the creaking joints , diabetes symptoms and so forth.
      It is not so easy to forsake leisure and pleasures as one may think.
      So if you do exercise such control you should give yourself some credit, and a degree of forgiveness to yourself for being human, rather than superhuman.
      Imo

    • @jacklabonte6839
      @jacklabonte6839 Před 8 měsíci

      I found that with practice I was able to become quite indifferent to pain.
      I wanted to start a meditation practice, but I have frequent migraines, and they were always a hindrance to a meditative state(or so I thought).
      Anyway, one day I decided to try and make my migraine pain the object of my meditation.
      It's very difficult to verbalize how this works. It sounds counter intuitive, but it really works. I started focusing in on the pain, and just tried to experience it as just a sensation, but not labeling it as "pain".
      So every migraine I would just sit back and "sink" into the sensation. After a month of this I realized that although I didn't have less migraines, they didn't register as a painful thing.....merely only as a sensation.
      Anyway, I don't know if this us related to the topic, or if anyone else here has had a similar experience?

  • @MRZE506
    @MRZE506 Před 3 lety +3

    Stoicism changed and saved my life I highly recommend people to check out the philosophy

  • @kenwohleking8819
    @kenwohleking8819 Před 5 lety +292

    Correction: Spider-man didn’t say “With great power comes great responsibility” ; It was Uncle Ben & Aunt May.

    • @shaduck06
      @shaduck06 Před 5 lety +6

      Voltaire: Les Représentans du peuple se rendront à leur destination, investis de la plus haute confiance et de pouvoirs illimités. Ils vont déployer un grand caractère. Ils doivent envisager qu’une grande responsabilité est la suite inséparable d’un grand pouvoir. Ce sera à leur énergie, à leur courage, et sur-tout à leur prudence, qu’ils devront leur succès et leur gloire.
      Here’s one possible translation into English:
      The people’s representatives will reach their destination, invested with the highest confidence and unlimited power. They will show great character. They must consider that great responsibility follows inseparably from great power. To their energy, to their courage, and above all to their prudence, they shall owe their success and their glory.

    • @shaduck06
      @shaduck06 Před 5 lety +14

      Luke 12:48.
      From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
      For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

    • @mikehoy3630
      @mikehoy3630 Před 5 lety +3

      It was Marcus araliuse

    • @mikehoy3630
      @mikehoy3630 Před 5 lety +1

      Said that

    • @bambooindark1
      @bambooindark1 Před 5 lety +11

      I think I totally got the point from this talk, so what equipment/gear should I buy first for being Spider Man?

  • @eponaepona
    @eponaepona Před 9 měsíci +2

    There are several philosophic approaches that in fact I practice and here Stoicism is explained beautifully. Thanks TEDx ❤

  • @JNeil1975
    @JNeil1975 Před 2 lety +14

    I am thoroughly enjoying his book "How to be a Stoic." I am very drawn to Stoicism and Taoism.

  • @MMABeijing
    @MMABeijing Před 4 lety +17

    one of the rare TED lecture that i find good

  • @Parnesicle
    @Parnesicle Před 5 lety +22

    John Wooden, the great NCAA basketball coach and author of the Pyramid of Success, summed it up this way: "Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction, in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."

  • @thomashurt2409
    @thomashurt2409 Před 3 lety +2

    Perfect speech thank you. RIP philosopher emperor Aurelius and other great guys

  • @shaukatmi
    @shaukatmi Před 5 lety +13

    I came across "Stoicism" while studying Greek Philosophy and reading about Marcus Aurelius. This presentation highlights the origins and adds to the modern practical aspects of the philosophy. Thanks Tedx Athens..

  • @greenqueen8504
    @greenqueen8504 Před 5 lety +4

    makes for a stress free life to live and think this way

  • @itsdevgarg
    @itsdevgarg Před rokem +3

    One of my life changing videos!

  • @anonymus3219
    @anonymus3219 Před rokem +1

    13:36 this is where, in my opinion, Buddhism trumps all other ways because it tells you that *you do* have control over your emotions, and it has the best guide to controlling them IN ADDITION to having tons of philosophy covered by Stoicism and Taoism

  • @christ2551
    @christ2551 Před 2 lety +1

    This speaker literally put the audience into a state of stoicism.

  • @zakia8623
    @zakia8623 Před rokem +3

    My interest I'm Greek philosophy is recent. I find stoicism easy to understand and also practical . It reminds of some of the teachings of lord Buddha.
    And sir,you have explained it very well. Thank you very much

  • @charlesbatkin9783
    @charlesbatkin9783 Před 5 lety +37

    I think the hard thing is when you look at something no longer under your control, that was, and is out of your control due to your actions.

    • @friendli29
      @friendli29 Před 4 lety +3

      Then perhaps it is something that was never truly under your control to begin with. Applying essential stoic philosophy, I can't think of a single example of what you are talking about, to be honest.

    • @x0rtdan
      @x0rtdan Před 4 lety

      you only have control over your reason and higher-thinking, until, of course, some virus doesn't take it that from you either. Probably everything else is not under your control.

    • @Karl-pu5cn
      @Karl-pu5cn Před 4 lety +1

      @@friendli29 I have a potential example. I say potential as I'm unsure wether or not its fitting. I have my xmas tests in 3 days. I have 3 months worth of work in 7 subjects to have revised over in preperation for these tests. I haven't started yet. So even right now getting excellent results is impossible. But it was possible in the weeks leading up to it. So it went from under my control to the point where, If I went for good grades, its now out of my control. Maybe thats an example? Or another thing could be you started an unstoppable self destruct sequence.

    • @MeetMyGreenBud7
      @MeetMyGreenBud7 Před 4 lety +2

      @@Karl-pu5cn That means you should have worried about it while you could change it. In the moment you lost control than your stoic mind will clear it out of your head.

    • @Argail8137
      @Argail8137 Před 3 lety

      He is talking abt pussies

  • @localrachel
    @localrachel Před rokem +1

    Emotions are the best compass for understanding personhood: our trauma and unmet needs especially. Ignoring, rejecting or minimising emotions or believing they are unhelpful or unwanted are misding huge parts of what make us full beings having a human experience.

    • @rexaustin2885
      @rexaustin2885 Před 6 měsíci

      After having lived a significant part of my life through stoicism, I am starting to realise one needs both emotions and stoicism in different combinations at different times, depending on the individual.
      Neither one is enough.

  • @ialicat9074
    @ialicat9074 Před 4 lety +2

    I love this. I often say to my daughter, all I expect of you in life is to try your best and be kind/nice.

  • @alandrus2734
    @alandrus2734 Před 5 lety +15

    Simply live a life of conscience. Be happy, live, and love. Remember, always do your best,you can do no more

  • @kalkidanabrham742
    @kalkidanabrham742 Před 5 lety +5

    I am very greatfull to all the hardship i faced,it introduce me to stoicism philosphy.

    • @bjarkifreyrbjarnason9419
      @bjarkifreyrbjarnason9419 Před 5 lety

      So am I, brother. We may not choose what happens to us in life - but it is in our power to try to understand our surroundings, the people closest to us, how and why we think the way we do - and ultimately become the best version of ourselves.

  • @Lance54689
    @Lance54689 Před 5 lety +5

    Over the last few years I've come to some of this on my own, and it has been quite effective. I'm looking forward to delving more into Stoicism.

  • @anuragadhikari8666
    @anuragadhikari8666 Před 4 lety +48

    Stoicism has been taught in Hindu Vedanta. I am surprised at the striking resemblance.

    • @readingsteiner6061
      @readingsteiner6061 Před 4 lety +5

      Anurag Adhikari Could you please list out a few resemblances. I don’t know much about Hinduism in general.

    • @apocalypsedragon
      @apocalypsedragon Před 4 lety +19

      Perform action, but do not be attached to the results.
      Treat victory and disaster as the same.
      Both are themes mentioned in the Bhagavat Gita, which is one is the principal texts of Advaita Vedanta

    • @eziogallicchio4729
      @eziogallicchio4729 Před 2 lety +6

      At that time (around 300 BC) there had been many cultural exchanges between indian and greek civilisations following the conquest of parts of India by Alexander the Great few decades earlier. They likely influenced each other.

  • @raykobud
    @raykobud Před 5 lety +7

    Thank you Massimo!

  • @patrickglass9323
    @patrickglass9323 Před 2 lety +5

    Brilliant lecture: succinct and superbly delivered! Thank you very much, Massimo.

  • @astitvamanikpuri4411
    @astitvamanikpuri4411 Před 4 lety +2

    One of the underrated talks I guess. He told so many things but, as said, it our choice whether we take/apply it or not.

  • @blackpicaso9762
    @blackpicaso9762 Před 3 lety +4

    This video changed my life.

  • @nansalonica4585
    @nansalonica4585 Před 2 lety +3

    Excellent talk - I love MP's approach and his way of explaining stoicism - really superb.

  • @Strongbodystrongsoul
    @Strongbodystrongsoul Před 5 lety +6

    I love your work - thank you !🙏🏻

  • @uliseslira577
    @uliseslira577 Před 4 lety +1

    I just have one word. Stunning performance and he truly have an excellent expertise!

  • @missoyen
    @missoyen Před rokem

    Everytime i felt bad about something I cannot control. I always go back to stoicism quotes and to Stoic Philosophers. This video is a must to watch.Thank you for sharing this video

  • @skweruth3543
    @skweruth3543 Před 3 lety +3

    one of the great talks I've heard so far

  • @user-cc8oj2by8i
    @user-cc8oj2by8i Před 3 lety +5

    Learned Stoicism, how it's pronounced, and all, in less than 20 mins.. thanks😀

  • @wtyssen
    @wtyssen Před 8 měsíci

    I often reflect on my life. The things that I have done and the people that I know. Who I thought I was and how I have been towards others. Then I find this talk and Eureka! This is me! Yes this is how I am. To finally settle at the end of the day with a nice thought given to me through Massimo’s talk that explains my philosophy and life. Yes, fundamentally, I am a stoic man. And am happy to know this is a good thing. Thank you 😊

  • @jrob8071
    @jrob8071 Před 2 lety +1

    This is the best lesson of stoicism I’ve had so far. Thanks.

  • @Thelastwarrior
    @Thelastwarrior Před 5 lety +2

    Beautifully said

  • @YadiAnyankah
    @YadiAnyankah Před 5 lety +4

    Truly inspiring.

  • @marystorch7633
    @marystorch7633 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Great. Clear explanation of Stoicism

  • @pdias8469
    @pdias8469 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Thank you Massimo for this great presentation and what a great presentation it is. Absolutely one step at a time.

  • @aureliusizm
    @aureliusizm Před rokem +7

    It's been a long time since I died, but fate still makes me talk.

  • @davidwestwood6850
    @davidwestwood6850 Před 5 lety +6

    Excellent talk with import.

  • @berkleypearl2363
    @berkleypearl2363 Před 4 lety +1

    I like stoicism, it’s very useful for every day things. Stoicism is very grounding. It reminds me of the techniques therapists teach to help people with anxiety

  • @richardmell299
    @richardmell299 Před 2 lety +1

    Stoicism helps attain a clarity of thought, through the darkest times that one will endure through life.

  • @skiegehrig1035
    @skiegehrig1035 Před 5 lety +3

    one of my favorites!

  • @Mahesh-es8zm
    @Mahesh-es8zm Před 5 lety +10

    It seems like the saying of Bagavad Gita- you do your best work don't worry about the outcome.. and the other is middle path suggested by Budhha don't donthing in extreames choose middle path

  • @downwithosama1
    @downwithosama1 Před 2 lety

    This is a great video I'm going to forward it to people that I know and hope that it can help them through the trials and tribulations in life so that they can control or they can control and not be stressed about what they cannot control.

  • @tomgnau
    @tomgnau Před 4 lety +2

    Outstanding. Glad I found this.

  • @newyorkangst
    @newyorkangst Před 4 lety +6

    Great talk! This is so interesting

  • @gilgamesh7264
    @gilgamesh7264 Před 4 lety +3

    I never realized I already practiced stoicism, I always thought I was different for the way I think compared to most people I know. But I didn't learn about what stoicism is until an episode of Gotham.

  • @AddictedToCandyx
    @AddictedToCandyx Před 2 lety +1

    Super nice break down of stoicism. It's a nice video to start like my morning. You cant control life, but when you give up that is your fault.

  • @renatodiniz7742
    @renatodiniz7742 Před 2 lety

    Prof. Pigliucci I'm Brazilian and I thought your talk was great. Congratulations!!!

  • @khaledelmasry1961
    @khaledelmasry1961 Před 5 lety +27

    Dude, great piercing professor! cool guy

  • @celtongerilla6595
    @celtongerilla6595 Před 5 lety +5

    Oh, thank you. This is very helpful. Now, I know that I / we can't really force someone to love you / us. 😇

  • @freedomworks3976
    @freedomworks3976 Před 3 lety +2

    Best talk ever on the Stoa

  • @bakhytgul4457
    @bakhytgul4457 Před 2 lety

    Such a nice joyful lecture. Thank you Massimo.

  • @mollypinto4666
    @mollypinto4666 Před rokem +9

    I loved everything you said. Thank you 💗

  • @dankishrogue5711
    @dankishrogue5711 Před 5 lety +5

    Stoicism in summary means hat you can only try, nothing is guaranteed, things can go to the worst, but only you decide hoe a situation affects you. Be assertive, and address problems.

  • @rahulbohra8338
    @rahulbohra8338 Před 3 lety +1

    WOW...one of the best TED Talks ever....

  • @ahmetyuce9820
    @ahmetyuce9820 Před rokem

    I feel like everything I have ever experienced and intuitively learned throughout my life in 30 years have been summed up in this video