William Irvine

William Irvine, a philosophy professor at Wright State University and author of several books on Stoicism, discusses the relevance of this ancient philosophy in today’s world. He emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and decision-making for a meaningful life. Irvine shares his own journey from Zen Buddhism to Stoicism, highlighting strategies like negative visualization and the dichotomy of control. The conversation also explores teaching Stoicism to foster resilience in children, navigating difficult relationships, and embracing failure as part of personal growth.

William Irvine, an emeritus philosophy professor and author, dives into Stoicism and its relevance in modern life. He shares his personal journey into Stoicism, sparked by a midlife crisis. Listeners learn strategies for handling insults and managing anger through humor. The conversation covers reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth and emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships over fame. Irvine also explores the dual impact of social media on society and how Stoicism can bolster psychological resilience amidst life's challenges, including the ultimate test of death.

En esta charla, William B. Irvine, filósofo y autor destacado en estoicismo práctico, habla sobre cómo alcanzar una buena vida, buscando tranquilidad y emociones positivas. Compara la búsqueda de la fama con evitar emociones negativas como la envidia. Irvine también profundiza en la compatibilidad entre el estoicismo y zen, sugiriendo prácticas como Zazen. Presenta la 'tricotomía del control', discutiendo la importancia de ver la adversidad como una oportunidad para fortalecer el carácter y la resiliencia.

Life is often filled with hardships and tragedies. For thousands of years, philosophers have come up with strategies to help us cope with such hardship. This week, we revisit a 2020 conversation with philosopher William Irvine about ancient ideas — backed by modern psychology — that can help us manage disappointment and misfortune.If you like this show, please check out our new podcast, My Unsung Hero! And if you'd like to support our work, you can do so at support.hiddenbrain.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Life is filled with hardships and tragedies — a fact that 2020 has made all too clear for people across the globe. For thousands of years, philosophers have come up with strategies to help us cope with such hardship. This week on Hidden Brain, we talk with philosopher William Irvine about ancient ideas — backed by modern psychology — that can help us manage disappointment and misfortune. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.