210624 What I learned in my studies this morning

How much time wasted?

Life without purpose gone by.

Stop! Carpe diem.

Daily Stoic:

Remaining calm is something I generally do well. Much better, at least, than I have in the past. 

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. One of the most important in my life is with a friend of mine. I'll call them Pat, for ambiguity's sake. 

Pat and I butt heads almost every time we see each other. It's an old habit for us at this point, easy to slip into and a well-worn path to follow.  I hate it.

I genuinely love Pat to death and would do anything for them, but somehow this recurring shared neuroses always comes calling when we interact.

I want to remain in good spirits when we get together and I want our relationship to strengthen, as it naturally will minus the constant bickering.  To date, my Stoic exercises have been unsuccessful at avoiding the almost ineluctable conflict.  Time to redouble my efforts.

Today's Meditation:

From A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine:

Chapter 21: Stoicism Reconsidered

The Stoics wrote in polytheistic times. It makes sense that they would assume that Zeus created humanity and did so for a purpose.  This purpose, rationality and living virtuously, allowed the Stoics to craft a framework through which they believed a person would stand the best chance of being happy and satisfied with life.

For the non-theistic follower of Stoicism, giving up this creation myth does not cause the whole structure of Stoic thought to collapse. Rather, one must simply shift from relying on mythical gods as the author of human destiny and instead focus on how evolution gifted us with both reason and instincts to improve our chances of living longer and producing progeny.  Once this is accepted, we can see how these same aspects of human nature can be employed to make that longer, more fruitful life more enjoyable as well. 

Human psychology developed slowly over the millennia as pressures from the environment made certain adaptation advantageous.  Pain helps us avoid danger and harm.  Fear and anxiety prompt us to alter our world (as best we can)  to limit or eliminate the source of our worries.  Pleasure increases the chances that we will eat nourishing foods and procreate given the opportunity.  Empathy and gregariousness improve our bonds with those around us and thus expand the circle of those who will protect and care for us. 

Reason binds all of these things into a more effective means of surviving and living a better life.

Daily Shakespeare: