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4 days ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
Our two main sources for Stoic theory are the chapter on Zeno in Diogenes Laertius’ Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers and a the sections on Stoicism in the Anthology of Johannes Stobaeus, which is believed to draw upon an earlier work summarizing doctrines by the philosopher Areus Didymos. First, I’ll look at the central definition of anger given in each of these two texts and then we’ll explore the distinctions they go on to make between different species of anger.
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1 week ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
In the following modified excerpts from my recent book, How to Think Like Socrates, I discuss some similarities in the language used by ancient Sophists and modern influencers in the Manosphere. The ancient Sophists mainly earned a living by teaching privileged adolescent boys. Perhaps inevitably, they appear at times to have exploited their young students’ natural insecurities about being sufficiently manly.
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1 week ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson |Donald Robertson
Epictetus and Epicurus give laws for governing ourselves… — JeffersonI’m staying near Washington DC at the moment and took the opportunity to visit the Thomas Jefferson’s Library exhibit at the Library of Congress. I’m the author of several books on Stoicism, including How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
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2 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
We worked with several graphic designers and artists to create this free fourteen-page guide to the life and thought of Socrates — just for you! It’s the perfect introduction to my latest book How to Think Like Socrates. Just click on download button below to get your hands on the PDF. A Guide To How To Think Like Socrates4.46MB ∙ PDF fileDownload our free fourteen-page illustrated guide to the life and thought of Socrates.
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2 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
What the will of nature is may be learned from a consideration of the points in which we do not differ from one another. For example, when some other person’s slave-boy breaks his drinking-cup, you are instantly ready to say, “That’s one of the things which happen.” Rest assured, then, that when your own drinking-cup gets broken, you ought to behave in the same way that you do when the other man’s cup is broken. Apply now the same principle to the matters of greater importance.
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2 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
The early Stoic, particularly Zeno of Citium, were known for employing very simple and concise arguments. We’re told that someone once complained that the short arguments of the Stoics were too abrupt, presumably compared to the long-winded arguments typical of Academics and Sophists. Zeno, half-joking, replied: “You speak the truth, but if possible their syllables should be abbreviated too.” If he could, that is, he would have made his reasoning even more concise.
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3 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
Join me this Saturday, 26th April, on the Stoicism Subreddit, with Prof. Chris Gill and Dr. Greg Sadler, for an AMA (ask me anything) about the life and thought of Marcus Aurelius. The Stoicism community on Reddit have organized this event to celebrate Marcus Aurelius’ birthday. You can find more details there by reading their announcement post. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication.
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3 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
All things come from One, and are resolved into One. – A precept of the Orphic Mysteries, c. 6th Century BC. NATURE! We are surrounded and embraced by her: powerless to separate ourselves from her, and powerless to penetrate beyond her… – Goethe, Aphorisms on NatureDuring his lifetime, and for many years after his demise, he was one of the most controversial philosophers in Europe but he is now seen as an intellectual hero of the Enlightenment.
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4 weeks ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Matthew Gindin |Donald Robertson
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:19:32Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Donald speaks with Matthew Gindin, writer, editor, and former Buddhist monk. We talk about Buddhist teachings on anger and the parallels between Buddhist and Stoic contemplative meditation practices. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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1 month ago | 
donaldrobertson.substack.com | Donald Robertson
Last year, I was invited to design an audio course on Stoicism and Mindfulness for Sam Harris’ Waking Up app. Waking Up have provided a special link so that you can enroll on the course and claim a free 30-day trial if you’re new to the app. The app is named after Sam Harris’ bestselling book, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion, where mindfulness meditation is, basically, compared to awakening from sleep or a dream.