A seated Socrates converses his philosophy to a Muse

In the post ‘Radical Thinking: What You Can Learn From the Timeless Philosophy of Socrates’ written by Tejvan Pettinger, we are provided with some wise advice on how we can use the most important components of the philosophy of Socrates, and apply his principles to positive affect in our daily lives.

Following is an excerpt from the aforementioned post,

During his lifetime Socrates wrote nothing down. Yet his wisdom has formed the bedrock of western philosophy. Socrates was viewed as a great teacher. But he did not claim to be a teacher. In fact, he frequently said ‘all I know is that I know nothing’. By all accounts Socrates was both poor and ugly. Yet in a society that placed tremendous value on beauty and wealth, people of all classes were magnetically drawn to his teachings and enigmatic personality.As he wrote nothing down, there is some dispute about what Socrates actually said. But, from the writings of Plato and others, we can gain a few glimpses into the character and ideals of this ancient sage and unique philosopher.

The Socratic Dialogue

Perhaps the most arresting feature of Socrates’ legacy is his unique method of teaching and arriving at the truth. Socrates didn’t claim the truth is this or the truth is that. He sought to question students in a way that would lead them to arrive at the truth themselves. Socrates frequently claimed to know nothing. Yet, if Socrates knew nothing, why were people so eager to hear him talk? The reason was that Socrates was able to make people reconsider their own ingrained ideas; Socrates had a way of making people think for themselves and consider truth from different angles.This method of conversation incurred the ire of some people; they were not happy that Socrates was able to show the limitations of their thinking. Yet, the genius of the Socratic method was that he never had to directly tell people their inadequacies; they came to realise it themselves.

Independence of Thought

One of Socrates most admired traits was that he did not follow popular opinion. He questioned every orthodox belief and decided independently if it was worth pursuing. Socrates looked at issues from both perspectives; he did not allow himself to be tied down by religious, political, or social conventions.This independence of thought and mind was particularly powerful given the forces of conformity predominant in Greek society. The importance he placed on independence of thought can be seen by his response to his trial and death. Socrates had numerous opportunities to flee; however, he didn’t wish to flee — he felt that escape would weaken his philosophic independence.Socrates was also non dogmatic; he had friends with both Oligarchs and Democrats. At the same time, he had enemies in both parties; Socrates would never moderate his words to curry favour with others.

Interest in the Welfare of Others?

Socrates spent most of his time wandering the streets of Athens, talking with people interested in discovering more about life. Socrates was a great teacher, because ironically he didn’t have an agenda to teach. He was not interested in imparting a certain dogma or attracting followers. He wanted people to think for themselves and consider the real nature of life and truth. As Socrates said to one student.”If you take my advice, you will give but little thought to Socrates but much more to the truth.” [1]Socrates was not just a great talker, but also a great listener. It is this balance which set him apart from ordinary teachers who want only to lecture others.

Please take the time to read the rest of Tejvan’s excellent and useful post ‘Radical Thinking: What You Can Learn From the Timeless Philosophy of Socrates’, as it offers some great Socratic advice for getting you started in improving yourselves in life.

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1. Use Stoic Philosophy to Achieve Total Joy and Untroubling Equanimity
2. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 3
3. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 2
4. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 1
5. From Knowledge to Wisdom – Manly P. Hall

Buy Epictetus’ ‘Discourses and Selected Writings’

Click here to read ‘Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 2′

Stoic Philosopher Epictetus returns to offer you advice on how to get rid of any fears you may have of something that is inevitable for every one of us – death.  Epictetus also encourages us to improve our characters and behaviour by advising us always to concentrate on our own conduct wherever we may find ourselves in daily life.

Rid Yourself Of The Fear Of Death

“Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things. Death, for instance, is not terrible, else it would have appeared so to Socrates. But the terror consists in our notion of death that it is terrible. When therefore we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others, but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles. An uninstructed person will lay the fault of his own bad condition upon others. Someone just starting instruction will lay the fault on himself. Some who is perfectly instructed will place blame neither on others nor on himself. ”

~ The Handbook of Epictetus

Improve Your Character By Being Attentive To Yourself At All Times

“Immediately prescribe some character and form of conduce to yourself, which you may keep both alone and in company.

Be for the most part silent, or speak merely what is necessary, and in few words. We may, however, enter, though sparingly, into discourse sometimes when occasion calls for it, but not on any of the common subjects, of gladiators, or horse races, or athletic champions, or feasts, the vulgar topics of conversation; but principally not of men, so as either to blame, or praise, or make comparisons. If you are able, then, by your own conversation bring over that of your company to proper subjects; but, if you happen to be taken among strangers, be silent.

Don’t allow your laughter be much, nor on many occasions, nor profuse.

Avoid swearing, if possible, altogether; if not, as far as you are able.

Avoid public and vulgar entertainments; but, if ever an occasion calls you to them, keep your attention upon the stretch, that you may not imperceptibly slide into vulgar manners. For be assured that if a person be ever so sound himself, yet, if his companion be infected, he who converses with him will be infected likewise.

Provide things relating to the body no further than mere use; as meat, drink, clothing, house, family. But strike off and reject everything relating to show and delicacy.

As far as possible, before marriage, keep yourself pure from familiarities with women, and, if you indulge them, let it be lawfully.” But don’t therefore be troublesome and full of reproofs to those who use these liberties, nor frequently boast that you yourself don’t.

If anyone tells you that such a person speaks ill of you, don’t make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: ” He does not know my other faults, else he would not have mentioned only these.”

It is not necessary for you to appear often at public spectacles; but if ever there is a proper occasion for you to be there, don’t appear more solicitous for anyone than for yourself; that is, wish things to be only just as they are, and him only to conquer who is the conqueror, for thus you will meet with no hindrance. But abstain entirely from declamations and derision and violent emotions. And when you come away, don’t discourse a great deal on what has passed, and what does not contribute to your own amendment. For it would appear by such discourse that you were immoderately struck with the show.

Go not [of your own accord] to the rehearsals of any
authors , nor appear [at them] readily. But, if you do appear, keepyour gravity and sedateness, and at the same time avoid being morose.

When you are going to confer with anyone, and particularly of those in a superior station, represent to yourself how Socrates or Zeno would behave in such a case, and you will not be at a loss to make a proper use of whatever may occur.

When you are going to any of the people in power, represent to yourself that you will not find him at home; that you will not be admitted; that the doors will not be opened to you; that he will take no notice of you. If, with all this, it is your duty to go, bear what happens, and never say [to yourself], ” It was not worth so much.” For this is vulgar, and like a man dazed by external things.

In parties of conversation, avoid a frequent and excessive mention of your own actions and dangers. For, however agreeable it may be to yourself to mention the risks you have run, it is not equally agreeable to others to hear your adventures. Avoid, likewise, an endeavor to excite laughter. For this is a slippery point, which may throw you into vulgar manners, and, besides, may be apt to lessen you in the esteem of your acquaintance. Approaches to indecent discourse are likewise dangerous. Whenever, therefore, anything of this sort happens, if there be a proper opportunity, rebuke him who makes advances that way; or, at least, by silence and blushing and a forbidding look, show yourself to be displeased by such talk. ”

~ The Handbook of Epictetus

Related posts:

1. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 2
2. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 1
3. Apply the Philosophy of Socrates Towards Improving Your Soul and Mind
4. Use Stoic Philosophy to Achieve Total Joy and Untroubling Equanimity
5. Use Stoic Philosophy To Learn Self Help Anger Management – Part 1

Buy Epictetus’ ‘Discourses and Selected Writings’

Click here to read ‘Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 1′

More stoic lessons from Epictetus to help you learn how to improve and remain happy in life.

On Progress

“The man who is making progress, having learned from the philosophers, that desire has good things for its object, and aversion bad things, and having also learned that peace of mind and serenity can only be attained by a man if he achieves what he desires and does not fall into what he wants to avoid – such a man has either rid himself of desire altogether or put it off to another time, and applies aversion only to things that are within the sphere of choice.  For if he should try to avoid anything that lies outside the sphere of choice, he knows that he will sometimes fall into it despite his aversion, and be unhappy.  Now if virtue promises happiness, an untroubled mind and serenity, then progress towards virtue is certainly progress towards each of these.  For whatever is the definitive end to which perfection of a thing leads, progress is always an approach towards it.

How does it happen, then, that when we agree that virtue is something of this kind, we yet seek progress, and show it off, in other things?  What does virtue achieve?

Peace of mind.”

~ The Discourses of Epictetus

Aim To Become An Authentic Stoic Philosopher And Apply What You Have Learned For An Undisturbed and Happy Mind

“Show me someone who is sick, and yet happy; in danger, and yet happy; dying, and yet happy; exiled, and yet happy; disgraced, and yet happy.  Show him to me, for, by the gods, I long to see a Stoic.  But (you will say) you have not one perfectly formed.  Show me, then, one who is in the process of formation, one who has set out in that direction…Let any of you show me the soul of a man who desires to be of one mind with god, and never to cast blame on god or man again, who wishes to fail in no desire, to fall into nothing that he wants to avoid, never to be angry, never to be envious, never to be jealous, who thus desires (why beat about the bush?) to become a god, instead of a man, and though he is in body, this corpse, is determined to achieve communion with Zeus.”

~ The Discourses of Epictetus

Click here to read ‘Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 3′

Related posts:

1. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 1
2. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 3
3. Apply the Philosophy of Socrates Towards Improving Your Soul and Mind
4. Use Stoic Philosophy to Achieve Total Joy and Untroubling Equanimity
5. Find Contentment in a Discontented World

Buy Epictetus’ ‘Discourses and Selected Writings’

I will be posting selected passages from Epictetus’ two books: ‘The Discourses’ and ‘The Handbook’; as he teaches us the wisdom of Stoicism that can be used as a self-help guide to living a good and happy life, as well as attaining a mind free of troubles.

I begin the series with two such passages of stoicism to help you attain a free and peaceful mind, as well as learning the virtues of contented living.

On What Is In Our Power, And What Is Not

“Some things are up to us and others are not.  Up to us (or in our power) are opinion, impulse, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is our own action.  Not up to us (or not in our power) are body, property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not our action.  The things that are up to us are by nature free, unhindered and unimpeded; but those that are not up to us are weak, servile, subject to hindrance, and not our own.  Remember, then, that if you suppose what is naturally enslaved to be free, and what is not your own to be your own, you will be hampered, you will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault with both gods and men.  But if you suppose only what is your own to be your own, and what is not your own not to be your own (as is indeed the case), no one will ever coerce you, no one will hinder you, you will find fault with no one, you will accuse no one, you will not do a single thing against your will, you will have no enemy, and no one will harm you because no harm can affect you.”

~ The Handbook of Epictetus

On Contentment

“The things that a man ought to study all day, so that unaffected by all that is not his own, whether friend or place or gymnasia or even, indeed, his own body, he remembers the law and has that constantly before his eyes. And what is the divine law? To preserve what is one’s own, not to claim what is another’s; to use what is given us, and not to desire what is not given us; and, when anything thing is taken away, to give it up readily and immediately, and to be thankful for the time you have been permitted the use of it, and not cry after it, like a child for its nurse and its mamma.”

~ The Discourses of Epictetus

Click here to read ‘Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 2′

Related posts:

1. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 2
2. Stoic Advice from Epictetus on the Art of Living – Part 3
3. Apply the Philosophy of Socrates Towards Improving Your Soul and Mind
4. Use Stoic Philosophy to Achieve Total Joy and Untroubling Equanimity
5. Find Contentment in a Discontented World

Please take the time to listen to all 6 parts of the From Knowledge to Wisdom lecture, as it provides a wonderful insight and an enlightening view on wisdom in general, and how us as individuals can attain this wisdom so to improve our lives.

Part 1 of 6

Part 2 of 6

Part 3 of 6

Part 4 of 6

Part 5 of 6

Part 6 of 6

Click here to listen to ‘From Wisdom to Understanding’ which is part two of the Wisdom Series

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5. Uses of Philosophy in Society: Choice Between Reason and Passion

The Rafael painting (on the left) of Greek philosophers Plato (pointing up towards the sky) and his pupil, Aristotle (palm facing down towards the ground) seemingly depicts them debating what should govern Man’s affairs: either Plato’s heavenly passion of the Gods, or Aristotle’s earthly reason of science.

This battle of wise minds serves as an example that begins this post with an apparent conflict between reason and passion, as I ask the question to myself as to which of the two should be used towards benefiting us personally and society as a whole?

Philosophy, and Stoicism in particular, can be accused of being, at most part, emotionally cold and distant because of it’s aim for us to invoke the use of reason to override all human emotions.  The elements of passion and reason have been opposing forces ever since the very beginnings of philosophy.

The Stoics seemed to think that passion should be avoided like the plague,

Stoicism holds that passion distorts truth, and that the pursuit of truth is virtuous.

Being a man of scientific observation, Aristotle also thought that reason alone should be embraced,

“The law is reason free from passion.”

~ Aristotle

Plato stood side by side with Aristotle against passion, although he did have, paradoxically, passion for worshipping the Gods,

“The passionate are like men standing on their heads; they see all things the wrong way”

~ Plato

Not to worry, passion had its advocates too,

“Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.”

~ Denis Diderot

“It’s the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.”

~ Rebecca West

Did a Passionless Socrates influence the non-progressive Philosophy we have today?

In the following interesting yet educational video (which is in 6 parts), blogger, author and podcaster, Stefan Molyneux questions the beneficial qualities of “Philosophy” in general, and that despite it being around for thousand of years, it has not directly influenced people and the world for the better.

Stefan is somewhat disappointed with philosophy’s contribution to society, and feels that it has been at most part, simply ignored by all quarters as a progressive discipline when compared to Information Technology, Science and Economics.

Stefan also feels there is a case for philosophy to learn and adapt to changing times and combine the calming influence of reason with the driving force of passion, something which may give it more success in terms of energising the world towards wiser action in human affairs.

A couple of questions Stefan asks are, “Why has philosophy failed the world?” And, “Has philosophy simply not progressed because of its lack of passion?”

Two men who also agreed with Stefan are,

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

“Passion and prejudice govern the world, only under the name of reason.”

~ John Wesley

Stefan begins his quest by going back over 2000 years ago to an ancient Athens, as he points an accusing finger at a man on trial, and who is considered the father of philosophy – he sought truth through the use of reason to all he would question.  That man was Plato’s Socrates…

Before you go, here are a few questions for you all:

1. Does philosophy serve any real purpose to society in the 21st century?

2. Is philosophy practically useless in guiding us all towards meaningful action, and eventually towards progress?

3. Was Socrates irresponsible for providing us with the seemingly passionless philosophy that we now have today?

4. What do you think should govern our lives for the better: reason, passion, or both?  And why?

I would be very much interested in seeing what answers you all provide.  Thanks.

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1. From Knowledge to Wisdom – Manly P. Hall
2. Alain de Botton: A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success
3. How Ancient Philosophy Can Make You Fall in Love with Truth in 3 Easy Steps
4. From Wisdom to Understanding – Manly P. Hall
5. The Epistles of Seneca: On Saving Time