Articles
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Stoic and Socratic arguments applied to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
For the past few years i have been thinking about how ancient philsophical wisdom might be employed to shed light on modern psychotherapeutic theory and practice. In this presentation you can hear some of my ideas on this subject- drawing on an argument from Plato’s ‘Euthydemus’ and Epictetus’s ‘Discourses’ to build my case for an…
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Developing our shape
In our September 2023 meetup, the concept of having an ideal shape in terms of our character was raised and discussed. I was intrigued by the discussion, and it prompted me to do some further reflection and reading. One question I’ve been thinking about is, how do we shape ourselves appropriately to fit with Nature?…
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Nightly reflections
I view with pleasure and approval the way you keep on at your studies and sacrifice everything to your single-minded efforts to make yourself every day a better man Seneca, Letter V This was the habit of Sextius, so that at day’s end, when he had retired to his nightly rest, he questioned his mind:…
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Organism or River: Comparing Rogerian and Stoic Metaphors
Courtney Shipley The cosmos is a living being: The cosmos is a whole being- The appearance of parts is a way of viewing things and not at all a reflection of things as they are. When we look at a river, we may see different parts; turbulence here, stillness there, ripples, reflections- we may say…
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Hymn to Nature
Nature bestows reliable happiness Her gifts made self-evident. O Benevolence O Providence Her mark appears on all things As perceived by that ruling principle She has disclosed to my heart. Such gifts that are given, This life, the most bespoke of treasures Unfolding order, never unrequited, Amor Fati She who has fitted this to that…
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Welcome events as they happen
“Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace” Epictetus, Enchiridion, Chapter 8 In our world today, I have a sense that there is a belief that we have an expectation to get what we want. For things to turn…
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EUDAIMONIA
EUDAIMONIA – TO SEE WITH THE DIVINE EYE (Part One) I A title with a strikethrough! A strikethrough that represents a prevailing attitudein modern thought. The catechism of what is true and not. All true things must beobjects experiencible by some degree of measure. An object of influence cannotinfluence in an unknown way, though we…
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Epictetus ‘Discourses’ 1.4 – On Progress
We further discuss the ‘Discourses’ for our Brisbane Stoics meetup. Given the heading of this reading, I thought it appropriate to start with a reflection from Seneca which is in Letter V. I view with pleasure and approval the way you keep on at your studies and sacrifice everything to your single-minded efforts to make…
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A reflection on Memento Mori
In his article on Stoic Themes, Courtney introduced one of the key themes of Memento Mori. To briefly recap, Memento Mori means remembering that we have to die. This concept, each time I read or listen about it, really hits home to me. It’s very easy to get caught up in our own world at…
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Stoic Themes
Memento Mori | Adversity There are several key themes that pervade the works of the ancient Stoics and arise from the fundamental doctrinal ground of Stoic philosophy. One cannot underestimate the value of these core structural (doctrinal) principles in Stoicism and at times we will be required to root out and reject our ‘commonly shared’…