Great Post and I fully agree with what is essentially the very concise summary of Stoic Practical Wisdom and Ethics. But I dont see the following logic: Yes men are separated from the rest of the animal kingdom by rational reasoning but that does not mean they have lost all their drives ? It could be argued that many achievements (eg art, architecture, literature, science) of the antique were achieved due to very strong drives more related to our animal part. So in my opinion both parts need to be considered and the rational part needs to use the much stronger animalistic drives intelligently.
Let me put it differently. We are free to run, swim, build our strength, or cultivate any admirable trait we observe in animals. But the distinguishing quality of humans is rationality. We are not practicing excellence if we develop physical prowess for irrational ends. Animal qualities can be used either rationally or irrationally. However impressive they may be in themselves, they lose their excellence when directed toward irrational purposes. By contrast, human excellences—such as wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice—remain virtues even when unaccompanied by any animal traits.
Thank you, a most thought-provoking first part of a most promising series !
I am still puzzled how Stoics reconcile determinism (causes & effects) with free will, i.e. the capacity to make choices. And therefore the foundation of the virtues (behave just for example)
As I understand it, there are two extremes of the spectrum:
Total d e t e r m i n i s m :
our being and our actions are totally pre-determined. We may only have the choice, if any, to accept that we are and behave as nature and nurture made us. So we CANNOT make rational choices. But we are rationalizing our behavior predetermined by natural causes and effects afterwards and giving ourselves the illusion of free will (see Benjamin Libet)
Total f r e e w i l l :
we see what decisions nature presents to us and deciding freely on our actions based on rationality and social thinking.
Great Post and I fully agree with what is essentially the very concise summary of Stoic Practical Wisdom and Ethics. But I dont see the following logic: Yes men are separated from the rest of the animal kingdom by rational reasoning but that does not mean they have lost all their drives ? It could be argued that many achievements (eg art, architecture, literature, science) of the antique were achieved due to very strong drives more related to our animal part. So in my opinion both parts need to be considered and the rational part needs to use the much stronger animalistic drives intelligently.
Let me put it differently. We are free to run, swim, build our strength, or cultivate any admirable trait we observe in animals. But the distinguishing quality of humans is rationality. We are not practicing excellence if we develop physical prowess for irrational ends. Animal qualities can be used either rationally or irrationally. However impressive they may be in themselves, they lose their excellence when directed toward irrational purposes. By contrast, human excellences—such as wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice—remain virtues even when unaccompanied by any animal traits.
Excellent! Go with the flow. Be one with nature - your nature and the nature of the Verse.
https://open.substack.com/pub/eiravele/p/static?r=5vjssq&utm_medium=ios
Great post! I just started your new book and thoroughly enjoying it so far!
Thank you, a most thought-provoking first part of a most promising series !
I am still puzzled how Stoics reconcile determinism (causes & effects) with free will, i.e. the capacity to make choices. And therefore the foundation of the virtues (behave just for example)
As I understand it, there are two extremes of the spectrum:
Total d e t e r m i n i s m :
our being and our actions are totally pre-determined. We may only have the choice, if any, to accept that we are and behave as nature and nurture made us. So we CANNOT make rational choices. But we are rationalizing our behavior predetermined by natural causes and effects afterwards and giving ourselves the illusion of free will (see Benjamin Libet)
Total f r e e w i l l :
we see what decisions nature presents to us and deciding freely on our actions based on rationality and social thinking.
🤔
Thanks!