Published on Sep 17, 2014
How the Stoics can help us tackle anxiety, fury and loss of perspective - and realise that very little is needed to make a happy life.
“‘Stoicism’ was a philosophy that flourished for some 400 years in Ancient Greece and Rome, gaining widespread support among all classes of society. It had one overwhelming and highly practical ambition: to teach people how to be calm and brave in the face of overwhelming anxiety and pain…”
wow, no one is commenting? you all finished? or forgot?
ReplyDeleteJWH
It's a very interesting philosophy to study. It was very fascinating to learn about the concept of the worse case scenario. Whenever I feel anxious about something, I should apply this concept. I should picture the worse possible situation that could occur, and by managing to digest that situation, it will be easier to deal with the feelings of anxiety
ReplyDeleteJuan Lamuno
ID: 5918951
I thought this was a very interesting point of view. The stoics tried to find peace with the worst case scenario in order to get through anxiety. I do not agree that suicide is a solution to the problem though. The next time I feel anxious, I will use their method of coping with the situation.
ReplyDeleteAmelie Onate
id: 5678853
I thought the Stoics way of life was interesting. They just accept their role in life. They don't freak out over things they can't change. I just found this video a little harsh and dark.
ReplyDeleteSydney Garcia
id: 5698560
Although an extreme view on life, perhaps its plausible. I myself do not like when one provides hope or aid that is not tangible. In order to help us heal or prepare for the worst maybe we do need to step into that environment. I do not think this is for everyone though. I believe many might crack under the pressure and can't deal under that type of pressure. Relating back to suffering, every individual has only a certain amount of suffering they can endure. My favorite quote from this video was from Seneca where he said that one should only cry over the wholesome of life rather than the parts of it.
ReplyDeleteStoicism seems to be rather extreme based off this video but some stoic practices can most definitely can be integrated into daily life as we often times fail to realize that "things can be worse". Suffering is relative and every individual has their breaking point, but I do agree with some of the practices in order for us to endure suffering and see the light at the end of the tunnel rather than dwell on what will soon pass.
ReplyDeleteThis film presents a very blunt fact about life which we tend to want to avoid facing: bad things will happen. If we not only understand this but expect misfortune to happen, we will be less battered by it and more prepared to trudge through it, shaping our character and making us more resilient.
ReplyDeleteKyle Peche
PID: 5865833
This video does a great job at explaining Stoics, because frankly I had never really learned about them. I thought it was interesting and odd that they find suicide to be an answer to some scenarios. I personally do not believe in that. One thing I did enjoy was the fact that they all accept their role in live rather than try to change themselves to conform to somethings else.
ReplyDeleteLaura Moralejo
5916722
Unarguably, the Stoics were wise individuals who made some good points about the true purpose of life. In all honesty however, I am a firm believer that hope gives us a reason to live. We could be stripped from everything (in the material sense), but all we are left with in the end is hope. If all I did was imagine myself in the worst possible situation, I would just suffer more. Then again, I guess it does depend on the individual. Nevertheless, overcoming adversity should not be seen as something bad, but instead as a way to make us stronger and hope that good will come out of it.
ReplyDeleteLourdes Madrigal
5921427
Although the Stoics seemed to be extreme at times some of their beliefs made a lot of sense. The video made me think a lot when they spoke about the idea as why one gets angry. I had never thought about it but it's true why one gets mad. It's all due to the fact that one gets angry because it's a situation that one wasn't counting on or expecting. So I agree with the concept of why one gets angry but on the other hand, I disagree with the idea that one shouldn't have hope. I believe that hope is essential for one to have. I can't imagine constantly telling my self the worst thing that could happen, when instead I could be working harder to try and make sure that the worst won't occur.
ReplyDeleteAdriana Ramirez
5926737
I thought it was very interesting and pleasing to learn about Stoicism. I like the way they approach the concept of the worse case scenario. I actually relate to it a lot. Whenever I'm planning something like an event, a presentation, or anything as a whole, I try to picture everything that could possibly go wrong so that I am prepared and nothing can surprise me. In addition to that, I am a very positive and optimistic person, so I always like to look at the good side of things. When something bad happens, even if it is really bad, I tried to look at it in the sense of: "Oh, it could have been even worse if this happened, or if he said that, etc."
ReplyDeleteMatheus Coelho
#5705161
In some ways I have a similar perception to the Stoics, that things can always be worse. Except my phrase is "Hey, at least 'this' didn't happen, or at least you didn't 'this'". In summation, what makes my perception similar and not exactly the same is that I believe that there is a bright side to everything.
ReplyDeleteThough I do agree that thinking of the worst case scenarios and creating a plan can help, I don't agree with the "it could be worse approach" I feel its equally as negative to build your self up on the idea of being better off than someone below you.
ReplyDeleteThis video was very interesting to me because it has to do with things that I have personally felt before. Bad things cannot be avoided some times, as hard as we try. There is bad, with every good. When I am feeling anxious for something, I hate when people tell me simple things like cheer up, its going to be fine, etc. That doesn't make me feel better and in fact, makes me angry. I like the notion that is given in this video, to think about the worst case that could possibly occur, and try to cope with that slowly.
ReplyDeleteLuis Garcia B.
ID#: 5754979
This was a little bit of a strange video to watch for me. The Stoics seem like they don't appreciate when people are trying to help make them feel better. It was quite interesting though to learn about the Stoics and their way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteI personally love Seneca's practice of replicating worst-case scenarios. If we expose ourselves to what it feels to live under these hardships then we will realize each time, that we are more resilient that we believe we are. Whenever the inevitable bad in life comes, perhaps this practice will allow one to cope, and push forward.
ReplyDeleteKyle Peche
PID: 5865833
I believe this is a very unique religion since it has a very particular way of solving problems, and help people to overcome bad situations.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, now that I realize, there are sometimes of my life that I am passing through tough times, I always think about the misfortunes of others. It is not that I feel better knowing that other people is less fortunate that I am, but when thinking about this this I realize that if other people can handle with worse situations, I can do it as well.
As Stoics say, "it can always get worse".
We have a lot to learn from Stoicism. Reading Marcus Aurelius' meditations when I was getting my Associate's Degree in Miami Dade College helped motivate me through those two years. Here is a powerful quote from his meditations involving an inner dialogue:
ReplyDeleteAt dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: 'I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I'm going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?'
— But it's nicer in here ...
So you were born to feel 'nice'? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don't you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you're not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren't you running to do what your nature demands?
— But we have to sleep sometime ...
Agreed. But nature set a limit on that — as it did on eating and drinking. And you're over the limit. You've had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you're still below your quota.