Excellent article, Massimo! One question: In the description of feelings vs emotions, by emotions being “scientifically public”, do you mean that emotions can be measured as neural/chemical changes in the brain, while feelings are the cognitive part happening in my thoughts, which is not so straightforwardly measurable (i.e. “private”)?
What a fantastic text! Am I wrong, or Marcus Aurelius commits this mistake in Meditations? I don't remember when, but I think I have this in my memory.
I'm a bit confused: "the heart is supposed to pump blood when it works in accordance with Nature. But of course from time to time the heart malfunctions and one gets a heart attack. Heart attacks are natural, but not in accordance with Nature." - This would make death an event that is not in accordance with Nature, no? Isn't the heart suppose to malfunction, in accordance with Nature?
Maybe, a distinction between the two expressions could be that "Something natural" is what happens habitually and spontaneously, while "Something in accordance with Nature" is what happens just as it is supposed to happen. The part that would deserve further elaboration is "supposed": by whom? based on what?
This is a bit off topic but i would like to ask your opinion on how propaganda or psychological manipulation of people fits into this Stoic approach Would a Stoic deal with deliberate attempts to influence emotions and therefore feelings by just being more mindful of their emotions and careful about making judgements?
"In reality to live in accordance with Nature just means to understand and respect the way a living organism of the Homo sapiens type functions and thrives".
This requires homework. Or as Socrates would say, “γνῶθι σεαυτόν” or “know yourself.” This cuts right through the noise down to the core of what it means to be human.
Interesting, thank you. The way the Stoic's defined/used Nature reminds me of how the Tao is described in the Tao Te Ching. When reading Meditations I often get the feeling Marcus and Lao Tzu would have gotten along.
Excellent article, Massimo! One question: In the description of feelings vs emotions, by emotions being “scientifically public”, do you mean that emotions can be measured as neural/chemical changes in the brain, while feelings are the cognitive part happening in my thoughts, which is not so straightforwardly measurable (i.e. “private”)?
What a fantastic text! Am I wrong, or Marcus Aurelius commits this mistake in Meditations? I don't remember when, but I think I have this in my memory.
I'm a bit confused: "the heart is supposed to pump blood when it works in accordance with Nature. But of course from time to time the heart malfunctions and one gets a heart attack. Heart attacks are natural, but not in accordance with Nature." - This would make death an event that is not in accordance with Nature, no? Isn't the heart suppose to malfunction, in accordance with Nature?
Maybe, a distinction between the two expressions could be that "Something natural" is what happens habitually and spontaneously, while "Something in accordance with Nature" is what happens just as it is supposed to happen. The part that would deserve further elaboration is "supposed": by whom? based on what?
This is a bit off topic but i would like to ask your opinion on how propaganda or psychological manipulation of people fits into this Stoic approach Would a Stoic deal with deliberate attempts to influence emotions and therefore feelings by just being more mindful of their emotions and careful about making judgements?
"In reality to live in accordance with Nature just means to understand and respect the way a living organism of the Homo sapiens type functions and thrives".
This requires homework. Or as Socrates would say, “γνῶθι σεαυτόν” or “know yourself.” This cuts right through the noise down to the core of what it means to be human.
Great post.
thank you!
Interesting, thank you. The way the Stoic's defined/used Nature reminds me of how the Tao is described in the Tao Te Ching. When reading Meditations I often get the feeling Marcus and Lao Tzu would have gotten along.