What Marcus Aurelius Can Teach Us Coping with Stress
In a recent episode of “Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life,” host Donald Robertson talks with Mark Forstater—producer of over 30 films including Monty Python and the Holy Grail—about his series of books on Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Socrates. Forstater explains why he adapts ancient Stoic teachings for today’s readers and describes how Stoic practice helped him survive a decades‑long legal battle. The conversation also links filmmaking, mental habits, and the idea of a future Marcus Aurelius movie, illustrating how philosophy can serve as a stress‑management toolkit.
Let Other People Witness Your Actions…
The essay “Let other people witness your actions” argues that when an act is truly right, it should be done openly despite potential criticism, echoing Marcus Aurelius’s stoic view that virtue supersedes public opinion. It separates moral certainty from fear of...
Five Practical Ideas From Socrates
Donald J. Robertson distills Socrates’ ancient philosophy into five actionable ideas for modern professionals. He highlights the power of relentless questioning, the necessity of admitting ignorance, and the centrality of self‑knowledge in decision‑making. The piece also frames dialogue as a...
Stoicism, Insults, and Political Correctness
The article examines how Stoic philosophy addresses modern insults, microaggressions, and political correctness, drawing on William Irvine’s book and Eric O. Scott’s critique. It contrasts the Stoic recommendation to “shrug off” insults with contemporary therapeutic tools such as cognitive distancing...
Don’t Get Carried Away with Pleasures…
Stoic thinker Donald J. Robertson warns against impulsively chasing pleasures, urging a deliberate pause before acting on desire. He advises weighing the fleeting joy against future regret and recognizing the personal victory in restraint. The commentary highlights this as a...