Practical Stoicism

• Is Rape a Stoic Indifferent?

  In this episode, I respond to a challenging and emotionally heavy listener question: how can Stoicism claim that only Virtue is Good and only Vice is Evil, even in the face of horrific acts like rape? This isn’t a theoretical exercise in cruelty—it's a serious inquiry into Stoic ethical nuance. The heart of the issue is understanding what Stoicism means when it calls something "indifferent," and why it insists that moral value resides not in actions themselves, but in the moral character of the person choosing them. I explain the two definitions of indifferents in Stoicism: one refers to things that don’t affect our own character (if we’re not the actor), and the other refers to things whose moral value is undefined until context is applied. Through that lens, I show how horrific acts like rape are always unjust—and thus always vicious—not because of the physical actions involved, but because of the context in which they occur. This episode isn’t easy listening, but it’s essential for any serious student of Stoicism who wants to understand how Stoic ethics holds together even in the hardest moral cases. NO MEDITATION CITED THIS EPISODE THREE TAKEAWAYS — Stoicism distinguishes between actions and contexts; moral value is always determined by context. — Rape is not an indifferent in the moral sense; it is always an act of injustice, and thus always vicious. — Virtue and Vice remain the only true Good and Evil because context—not action—defines moral quality. Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  25:59
• Even after years of practice, I still fail

  In this episode, I share a personal story about nearly losing my temper on a train—a moment that reminded me, yet again, how far I am from sagehood and how important continuous attention (prosochē) is in Stoic practice. A long day in London, a rowdy group of teens, and a few minor annoyances were enough to push me near my breaking point. But in reflecting on the moment, I was reminded that even when we slip, our years of practice can still protect us from our worst impulses. I share this story not just to vent, but to illustrate three key ideas: how quickly we can be carried away by impressions when we stop paying attention; how Stoic practice can lower the intensity of our worst moments over time; and how no one is immune to slipping—not even those who teach the philosophy to others. This episode is a reminder that the Stoic path requires vigilance, humility, and honest self-reflection. NO MEDITATION CITED THIS EPISODE THREE TAKEAWAYS — The moment you stop paying attention, indifferents can run away with you. — Stoic training builds internal safeguards that make even your worst moments better than they once were. — Falling short is inevitable—but it’s also instructive and necessary for progress. Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  33:32
• Are We All Part of One Law? (Meditations 4.4)

  In this episode of Practical Stoicism, I unpack Meditations 4.4, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the shared nature of human reason and its connection to a universal law. While Marcus builds a case for a kind of Stoic cosmopolitanism—where all rational beings are part of one commonwealth—I explore how this can inform our understanding of decentralized morality and Natural Law. I also contrast Stoic justice with religious or centralized legal frameworks, and explain why Stoicism’s moral reasoning demands more personal responsibility and attentiveness to context. Later in the episode, I answer a listener question about standing for justice in a polarized world. I argue that recognizing our limitations is a crucial part of ethical living. We can’t do everything, and pretending otherwise often causes more harm than good. Justice, from a Stoic perspective, begins with self-awareness and grows outward, rooted in reason and tempered by our roles and capacities. Meditations 4.4 If mind is common to us all, then also the reason, whereby we are reasoning beings, is common… and thence, from this common City, is derived our mind itself, our reason and our sense of law, or from what else? THREE TAKEAWAYS — Stoic justice is grounded in Natural Law, not dogma or divine command. — We must reason within our roles and limits, not pretend to be omnipotent. — Our shared reason connects us to a universal moral framework—but that framework still depends on individual effort and context. Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  26:57
• Why "Retreating Into Yourself" Isn't Always Practical (Meditations 4.3)

  PendingIn today’s episode of Practical Stoicism, I explore Meditations 4.3, a passage that, while often celebrated, carries the potential for self-abuse if misunderstood. Marcus Aurelius reflects on the desire to escape daily life by retreating into nature—something he admits he feels compelled to do himself. But rather than criticize that impulse, I suggest we reframe it: needing a retreat isn’t weakness, it’s part of the process of becoming better. While a sage might retreat into their mind, we Prokoptôns might genuinely need to retreat physically from time to time—and that’s not failure, it’s reality. Growth doesn’t happen on command. It takes time, rest, and humility. Meditations 4.3Men look for retreats for themselves, the country, the sea-shore, the hills; and you yourself, too, are peculiarly accustomed to feel the same want. Yet all this is very unlike a philosopher, when you may at any hour you please retreat into yourself... The Universe is change, life is opinion. THREE TAKEAWAYS — The urge to escape isn’t a weakness, it’s a sign of being human—and sometimes necessary for moral progress. — Perfection isn’t the goal; striving for better while accepting your limitations is. — If seashore retreats help you grow, they’re not indulgences—they’re tools for becoming a better person. Join the Practical Stoicism community, the Society of Stoics, at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Members enjoy ad-free episodes, weekly journaling prompts, a membership medallion, and access to regular live calls and discussions. Join today at https://community.stoicismpod.com. Buy my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Read source material: https://stoicismpod.com/far Subscribe on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube Follow me on Bluesky: https://stoicismpod.com/bluesky Grab the app: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net/ Follow me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tannercampbell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  19:17
• Are You Living Purposefully? (Meditations 4.2)

  This episode of Practical Stoicism dives into the thought-provoking yet concise Meditations 4.2 by Marcus Aurelius. I explore what it means to act with purpose and how the Stoic tradition invites us to examine our actions not by their strict planning but by their alignment with Virtue. I argue that taking time to rest or reconnect with nature is not inherently aimless if it serves the goal of living well. I also reflect on a listener’s question about why I choose not to use skin-tone-specific emojis, connecting this personal choice to Stoic principles of identity and focus. The conversation touches on the dangers of over-identification with external labels and the value of keeping one’s attention on what truly matters: our role as rational participants in the Cosmopolis. MEDITATIONMeditations 4.2 — “Nothing that is undertaken is to be undertaken without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to a principle which makes the art of living perfect.” THREE TAKEAWAYS — Purposeful living doesn’t mean relentless scheduling, but thoughtful engagement with your actions. — Rest and leisure, when chosen with intention, align with the Stoic pursuit of Virtue. — Avoiding identity labels can help maintain focus on the most important identity: being a rational part of the Cosmos. LINKS — Go ad-free: https://stoicismpod.com/members — Order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book — Source Text: https://stoicismpod.com/far — Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social — Follow me on YouTube: https://stoicismpod.com/youtube — Stoicism QOTD App: https://qotd.tannercampbell.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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