The Daily Stoic Lowercase stoicism Vs. Uppercase Stoicism | Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and bestselling author known for her work on grit, engages in a compelling discussion about the nuances of Stoicism. She explores the concepts of lowercase versus uppercase Stoicism, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability. Duckworth challenges traditional Stoic beliefs, arguing for the necessity of personal agency in shaping outcomes. Their conversation also touches on the dynamics of support in success, the balance of grit and flexibility, and the historical roots of Stoic activism that resonate with contemporary social justice issues.
01:04:06
Serenity Prayer Origins
- The Serenity Prayer, though seemingly ancient, originated in the 1950s.
- It emphasizes focusing on what we can control, especially in challenging situations.
Stoic Virtues and Action
- Stoicism's four virtues—courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice—guide action.
- These virtues empower individuals to change their situations.
Clarkson's Abolition Campaign
- Thomas Clarkson's essay on abolishing slavery launched a political campaign.
- This campaign spurred boycotts, petitions, and political imagery, leading to positive societal change.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Exploring Stoicism and the Concept of Grit
04:01 • 3min
Navigating Agency and Stoicism in Sports and Business
07:16 • 15min
Balancing Agency and Support in the Pursuit of Success
22:26 • 4min
Stoicism, Activism, and Moral Progress
26:26 • 18min
Grit vs. Mental Fortitude: The Importance of Flexibility in Pursuit
44:04 • 4min
Wisdom, Wealth, and the Socratic Method
48:05 • 9min
Strategic Brilliance: Outmaneuvering Challenges
56:51 • 2min
Tactical Intelligence and Self-Control
58:28 • 11min
Exploring Diverse Perspectives in Stoicism
01:09:22 • 2min
#10260
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
How Not to Be Wrong
The Power of Mathematical Thinking
Jordan Ellenberg
#61431
Book about the Serenity Prayer
Reinhold Niebuhr
#50640
Book about military strategy
B. H. Liddell Hart
#2870
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Bury the chains
Adam Hochschild
Bury the Chains chronicles the late 18th- and early 19th-century anti-slavery movement in the British Empire, highlighting key figures like Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce.
The book explores the campaign's tactics and setbacks, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery in 1838.
It also draws parallels with modern social justice movements, showcasing the pioneering methods used by the abolitionists.
#2688
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Strategy of Conflict
Thomas Schelling
Written against the backdrop of the nuclear arms race in the late 1950s, this book sets forth Thomas Schelling's vision of game theory as a unifying framework for the social sciences.
It explores areas where progress has been least satisfactory, including negotiations, war and threats of war, criminal deterrence, extortion, and tacit bargaining.
Schelling's analysis highlights enlightening similarities between various conflict scenarios, such as maneuvering in limited war and in a traffic jam, and deterring adversaries versus one’s own children.
His work emphasizes the importance of strategic commitments, the credibility of uncertain retaliation, and the exploitation of potential force rather than its application.
The book has significantly influenced conflict resolution and the development of game theory across the social sciences.
#657
• Mentioned in 50 episodes
Furious Hours
Casey Cep
Furious Hours by Casey Cep is a captivating blend of true crime and literary biography.
It explores the mysterious murders linked to Reverend Willie Maxwell in rural Alabama and Harper Lee's fascination with the case, which she hoped to turn into her next book.
The narrative delves into the racial politics of the Deep South and offers a poignant portrait of Lee's struggles with fame and creativity.
#1394
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
A Calendar of Wisdom
Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts
Leo Tolstoy
This collection is a day-by-day guide that illuminates the path of a life worth living.
It features gems of inspiration and wisdom from various historical figures including Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, Pascal, Jesus, Muhammad, Confucius, Emerson, Kant, Ruskin, Seneca, Socrates, and Thoreau.
Tolstoy considered this work his most important contribution to humanity, and it was widely read in pre-revolutionary Russia before being banned and forgotten under Communism.
Recently rediscovered, it has been praised for its timeless wisdom and inspiration.
#25
• Mentioned in 340 episodes
The Daily Stoic
366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers.
Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life.
The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.
#840
• Mentioned in 42 episodes
Plutarch's Lives
Plutarch
Plutarch's Lives, also known as Parallel Lives, is a collection of 48 biographies of notable men from ancient Greece and Rome.
The work is structured in pairs, with one Greek and one Roman figure of similar destiny, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, or Demosthenes and Cicero.
Plutarch's primary concern was not to write strict historical accounts but to explore the moral virtues and failings of his subjects, aiming to provide examples of conduct to imitate or avoid.
The biographies are significant not only for their insight into the individuals but also for their historical value, offering a glimpse into the times in which they lived.
#21
• Mentioned in 380 episodes
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K.
Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard.
The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
#510
• Mentioned in 60 episodes
A Brief History of Time
From the Big Bang to Black Holes
Stephen Hawking
In 'A Brief History of Time', Stephen Hawking delves into fundamental questions about the universe, including its origin, the nature of space and time, and the fate of the cosmos.
The book discusses key concepts such as the Big Bang, black holes, and the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics.
Hawking also explores the possibility of time travel and wormholes, and he reflects on the intersection of science and philosophy, including the search for a unifying theory of everything and the implications for our understanding of existence and the universe.
#1137
• Mentioned in 34 episodes
The Pursuit of Happiness
How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America
Jeffrey Rosen
#78
• Mentioned in 206 episodes
The Art of War
Sun Tzu
#167
• Mentioned in 130 episodes
Right Thing, Right Now
Justice in an Unjust World
Ryan Holiday
In 'Right Thing, Right Now', Ryan Holiday argues for the necessity of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy.
He draws on stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to illustrate the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
The book emphasizes that justice is not an abstract concept but a daily practice that shapes one’s character and impacts those around us.
Holiday challenges readers to develop their own moral code and uphold it consistently, providing concrete steps and exercises to help incorporate these values into their lives.
#12
• Mentioned in 444 episodes
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
#3321
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Angela Duckworth
In this book, Angela Duckworth presents her research on grit, highlighting it as the key factor in achieving outstanding success.
She argues that while talent is important, it is not the sole determinant of success.
Instead, identifying one's passions and following through on commitments with persistence and perseverance are crucial.
The book includes insights from various fields such as education, sports, and business, and features interviews with high achievers like JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.
Duckworth also discusses how grit can be developed and cultivated, both from personal efforts and through the support of others.
#303
• Mentioned in 87 episodes
Trust Me, I'm Lying
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Ryan Holiday
In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets.
The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business.
Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation.
He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.
In today’s episode, Angela Duckworth challenges Ryan on the Stoic dictum that “you cannot change your situation, but you can change your response to the situation”. Together, they talk about self-control, grit, Stoicism throughout history, and lowercase stoicism versus uppercase Stoicism.
Angela Duckworth is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestselling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
Pick up a signed copy of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/
📕 Pre-order Right Thing, Right Now and get exclusive bonuses! To learn more and pre-order your own copy, visit dailystoic.com/justice
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