Stoic Sphere of Choice: Strategic Energy for Invincibility and Impact

Key Quotes

"But does that mean that the Stoics were unfeeling utterly disconnected harsh and invulnerable hardly in his fascinating biography of Marcus Aurelius which you can grab from the painted porch and he's discussed it on the podcast many times Donald Robertson takes pains to note a virtue exhibited by Marcus Aurelius's incredible mother Lucilla and he refers to her natural affection while the mothers of many emperors before him were ambitious and cruel she was kind and generous and genuinely loved by her own children."

Donald Robertson highlights Lucilla's kindness and affection, contrasting her with the cruel mothers of previous emperors. This demonstrates that the Stoics, contrary to popular perception, were not necessarily unfeeling but could exhibit genuine love and care.

"The stoics loved and were loved they honored their parents they played with their children and this is exactly how one would describe Cato's relationship to his brother who lived very differently than he did just as it would describe Marcus with his stepbrother Lucius Verus who was also quite different the Stoics were kind they cared about people and not just people they were related to but all humankind."

The author argues that the Stoics actively engaged in loving relationships, honoring family, and caring for all of humanity. This counters the idea that Stoicism promotes detachment and isolation, showing instead a capacity for broad compassion.

"The second step in Stoic philosophy is to focus the energy on the things we have a choice about the Stoics viewed the soul as a sphere that when well tuned well directed was an invincible fortress against any trial or circumstance protected by our reason this sphere of choice was like a sacred temple and it is the only thing we truly possess in this life we are the product of our choices so it is essential that we choose well."

This quote explains that Stoicism's second step involves concentrating effort on what is within one's control, referred to as the "sphere of choice." The author emphasizes that this internal domain, protected by reason, is the only true possession and dictates our character.

"Who then is invincible the one who cannot be upset by anything outside their reasoned choice."

Epictetus posits that true invincibility comes from not being disturbed by external events or circumstances beyond one's control. This highlights the Stoic practice of focusing on internal responses rather than external outcomes.

"So I think people think that that Stoicism is about resignation it's not it's about allocation right it's resigned to the things that make no difference where you can make no difference but it's very focused intensely focused on the areas that you can make a difference right."

The speaker clarifies that Stoicism is not about passive resignation but about strategic allocation of energy. The philosophy encourages acceptance of what cannot be changed while intensely focusing on areas where one can exert influence and make a difference.

"Remember Marcus is saying you don't have to have an opinion about this you don't have to get upset but you should be upset about your own choices why did I do that why didn't I do that why did I you know why did I make this mistake why did I do this thing again and then I told myself I was going to stop to him focus on you focus on your choices make good choices that's how you exert control over the world."

This quote emphasizes that while Stoics remain indifferent to external events, they are encouraged to critically examine their own choices and actions. The author suggests that self-reflection on one's decisions is the primary means of exerting control and influence.