... This is an interesting question; let me disclose that a) I am a newbie to this Stoa, and b) my political persuasion is libertarian. If one applies the...
I disagree. As a fan of Aristotle's Golden Mean rule, I think Virtue and the mean point between extremes are not only compatible, but necessarily so. This...
I agree with pdlanagan. You can never have too much virtue. I think Aristotle's Mean is a product of his erroneous idea that the indifferents are actually...
I agree you cannot have too much virtue, but since I see virtue as the sum of all means, our viewpoints on this matter are not incompatible. Perhaps my view...
In reading Pierre Hadot's The Inner Citadel, I was really struck by his discussion concerning why Stoicism is the only rational answer to the question of how...
Mr. Bamford, It is not my aim to deter you from the Stoic life. I will not say that it is easy since it is not. But the denial of luxuries is definitely not...
Hello Charles, Could you tell me more about Camus'Physics (if you know something about it). A ex-member of Stoici Amici wanted to replace the physics of...
... I don't think Seneca's value as a mentor can be undermined by the fact that he was criticised (by his enemies, note) or even by the fact that some...
I don't know very much about Camus except for the myth of Sisyphus. I assume that he was an atheist/nihilist and held to the belief that the universe was...
I agree that pain gives life meaning, for we all spend our lives trying to avoid that which is painful or unpleasant to us, and gravitating toward those things...
The idea that virtue is a mean (essentially an Aristotelian idea, with considerable foundation in common sense, which of course is sometimes wrong, as even...
... I know exactly what you mean. Over and above being 'befuddled' by Stoic philosophy I find that other people, sometimes friends, can be downright hostile....
The Stoic sage, whose life is the model that Stoics have in mind, will worry or not worry depending on the meaning of the term. For "worry" has at least two...
Over the many months I have been involved with this forum, I have noticed that quite a number of us have noticed similarities between certain forms of Buddhism...
Dr. Seddon, The hostility you are referring to is pretty basic to human beings. For instance, religious fanatics are often hostile to those who do not share...
Our reticence toward the doctrine of the mean has deep roots. Historically the Stoa was very much a rival of the Lyceum (Aristotle's school) as they both were...
Bravo - I think CBB has hit on a great insight: politics as we use the term today (indeed, as it is defined in universities) is all about "power." That power ...
Sam, I think this is the real test. Imagine that you were sent back in time to the WTC on the morning of Sept. 11 around 7 a.m. Knowing what you know, you act...
Well, I would feel sad, quite naturally. Perhaps even extremely sad - after it was over, or perhaps while it was happening. My question is whether that ...
Sam, The point I was trying to make and probably failed to make is that such a circumstance that I described usually produces a feeling of frustration. In...
... Your entire letter was insightful, and has been quite comforting to me at an approrpiate time. Thank you. Sam It is preferred that the Forum occasionally...
Agreed. One of his better letters. And a good illustration of why Stoicism retains my interest, despite some difficulties I have with it. Though he be ...
... This is an interesing point. I wonder if completely strikes to the heart of the matter, though. ... Ack! ... Now the more important question: *why* do...
William Annis, People are more complex than I have painted them, but I think the kernel remains. They wish to extend control because they believe that a proper...
This is directed more towards Dr. Garrett, but I will take any response that is offered. First of all, I am a determinist. This is largely the residue of my ...
Your view seems quite coherent, Charles, and not far from the view of classical Stoicism, not surprising at this point. I appreciate the internal consistency...
Dr. Garrett, Could you elaborate more on the difference between the Stoics on this issue of amor fati/defiance? Where would Zeno and Chrysippus have stood on...
I am often confused as to how I should react to fundamentalist theists. While I am indifferent to what individuals believe spiritually, no matter how absurd it...
