Many thanks for another excellent insightful article. I wholehearted agree that virtue trumps wealth but probably think we don't emphasise that wealth is desirable mainly because of the good that it can do. Not only supporting ourselves and family but also the wider community. There is also a more nuanced outcome of meeting our inate need for status which is perfectly acceptable as long as virtue is not compromised. I also think we should not strain ourselves trying to prove the correctness of our predecessors whose idea of wealth was very different than ours. Our economy is a regulated market economy that incentives wealth creation for the greater good. So wealth as long as legally obtained in compliance with our view if human rights is a good thing and to be encouraged as long as appropriately taxed!
Yes. This is a good read for a novice such as me. I appreciate when a writer can articulate a concept for which I have connection to, but am lacking the more precise wording, as Brittany has done here in interpreting Seneca for me / us. Thank you !
It seems that almost every day I am finding a new angle on Stoicism that expands my understanding of it. I just finished reading Stoic Ethics: The Basics and since then have been really thinking about virtue focused towards ourselves vs towards others. Now this idea from Seneca that its "not in the thing but the quality of the selection" is really blowing my mind! I wonder if, at this point, these aren't necessarily new ideas to me, but when presented in just the right way give that "ah ha!" moment. In any case, thank you!
Btw, reading Stockdale is where I first encountered Stoicism and became interested in it a long, long time ago!
Thanks, Erik! I'm glad this is helping--I love those mind-expanding moments! To me one of the most remarkable things about Stoicism is its coherence as a system, so the more I learn about it the more I see things clicking into place in the bigger picture. I'm glad you feel the same way.
Your explanation of Stoic philosophy, especially the idea that “goodness is found not in the object itself but in the quality of our choices,” offers a refreshing and nuanced perspective. You've made a complex concept easy to understand while preserving its depth. This is another excellent piece that truly expands my thinking.
Many thanks for another excellent insightful article. I wholehearted agree that virtue trumps wealth but probably think we don't emphasise that wealth is desirable mainly because of the good that it can do. Not only supporting ourselves and family but also the wider community. There is also a more nuanced outcome of meeting our inate need for status which is perfectly acceptable as long as virtue is not compromised. I also think we should not strain ourselves trying to prove the correctness of our predecessors whose idea of wealth was very different than ours. Our economy is a regulated market economy that incentives wealth creation for the greater good. So wealth as long as legally obtained in compliance with our view if human rights is a good thing and to be encouraged as long as appropriately taxed!
Yes. This is a good read for a novice such as me. I appreciate when a writer can articulate a concept for which I have connection to, but am lacking the more precise wording, as Brittany has done here in interpreting Seneca for me / us. Thank you !
It seems that almost every day I am finding a new angle on Stoicism that expands my understanding of it. I just finished reading Stoic Ethics: The Basics and since then have been really thinking about virtue focused towards ourselves vs towards others. Now this idea from Seneca that its "not in the thing but the quality of the selection" is really blowing my mind! I wonder if, at this point, these aren't necessarily new ideas to me, but when presented in just the right way give that "ah ha!" moment. In any case, thank you!
Btw, reading Stockdale is where I first encountered Stoicism and became interested in it a long, long time ago!
Thanks, Erik! I'm glad this is helping--I love those mind-expanding moments! To me one of the most remarkable things about Stoicism is its coherence as a system, so the more I learn about it the more I see things clicking into place in the bigger picture. I'm glad you feel the same way.
Absolutely! The phrase 'an inch wide and a mile deep' seems to apply perfectly!
Your explanation of Stoic philosophy, especially the idea that “goodness is found not in the object itself but in the quality of our choices,” offers a refreshing and nuanced perspective. You've made a complex concept easy to understand while preserving its depth. This is another excellent piece that truly expands my thinking.