Stoicism: Grateful Indifference

[suddenuprising]

"if you look at culture" you cant see culture.

[BellaBargilly]

at Desteni we make a stand in oneness and equality - that is similar to indifference from the perspective that self investigates and becomes master of the inner 'mind-control' of habitual thoughts/beliefs and emotions/feelings; but not similar at all when it comes to the realization of responsibility for, commitment to and interest in ALL/LIFE as self realizes self in the context of life/the whole.

the other point is the point of accepting 'the ways of the world' which clearly are unacceptable.

[BellaBargilly]

as a study or consideration as having a look at this 'philosophy' or 'approach' - fine - but if one is to seriously go into this for whatever reason, I'd say consider the implications of such "attitude" and whether it allows at all for an individual to do what is best for all in spite of the current morality of the world - so as in fact to start changing the system through changing self. but within a mind-set of "grateful indifference" there is no room for any motive for change or (r)evolution.

[BellaBargilly]

"be gratefully indifferent" - because you are a slave.

you are a slave, therefore there is nothing better you can do but "be gratefully indifferent".

thus you will not question why, how come you are a slave. you are gratefully indifferent.

you will not question why, how come others are slaves. you are gratefully indifferent. is that the 'highest virtue' within the system perhaps? "the order of things"?

[BellaBargilly]

seems to me this approach/tactic aims at taking as little responsibility as possible through the acceptance of "these are the things I can't change" - running the danger of self-limitation and an un-visionary approach to life that acknowledge how it is the systems of this world that we submit to if we go into indifference or are not clear about the context of gratefulness -whether it's real based on actual movement of/as self, or 'patting oneself on the shoulder' thinking "I am doing my best".

[BJ219]

The topic of Stoicism came up in a college course I was taking last year. Our professor seemed skeptical of Stoicism after considering the point of view of the soldier with PTSD. For that soldier, a Stoic mindset got him or her through battle, but if he or she continues thinking that way, their trauma could stay repressed. I think he agrees with the broad strokes of Stoicism in regards to petty things, but he understands that emotional damage must be acknowledged and dealt with properly.

[PetrusLucretius]

As a "secular" stoic (kinda redundant I suppose, but I like to make this emphasis) I must say this: More I read, more I understand that the best and healthier way to embrace life greatest philosophical issues is by a rational and stoic point of view. Currently, I am reading "Meditations" of Marcus Aurellius. A good book to understand how stoicism is about, don't you think?

[TheForwardGaze]

Do you think there's an overlap between the beliefs of stoicism and buddhism?

[ReedYeats]

The tone is pitch perfect. Continue, please.

[Sonicthehedgehog73]

I love your stoic videos. I hope you make more of them in the future. They are a big help.

[Phavonic]

How do you think stoicism compares to modern atheism, if at all?

[Yanirakarola]

This makes complete sense. Black people should have just accepted that slavery was not under their control....

[TheKenTerry]

@Yanirakarola

Is that all you got from this video?

[sexdrugsRnR]

i thought plato was open to women learning and joining the symposium (The Laws)

[RVqueen]

Stoicism leads to Anarchism. It did for ancient Greeks, and it did for me!



[MistiqueNoir]

The irony of this is we would all be a lot healthier if we accepted things as they are with a sense of realism and not worrying about stuff we have no control over is a real killer. I like it...grateful indifference. Hard to learn to do thought. LOL

[1adadada]

How is grateful indifference related to buddhist non-attatchment?

[1adadada]

what an amazing vid- subbed.

[Ozrielos]

This sounds like Lao Tzu; "do your work, then step back"

[sangsomlipo]

Marco Pierre White ?!

[jonvssocrates]

Awesome video. Society would be a better place with more people at your level.

[batfly]

Grateful Indifference is neither here nor there.

[avq5]

Stoics were the shizzzzznit back in the day.. Those cats had the lowdown.

[jigglypuffgirl]

thanks for this. i'm having a hard time at the moment and things just get worse. i need to remain grateful for what i have and indifferent to that which i can no longer or could never change

[ezemdi]

Serious question Prof.:

Why is it important to do "the right thing"?

[rgaleny]

Ecclisiates could have learned from the stoics.

[rgaleny]

sounds more like DECENT INDIFFERENCE. But grateful indifference is probably better. you life you laugh you cry you die, all men are mortal. Ecclesiates could have learned a thing or two from the stoics. Ya think?

[rgaleny]

sounds more like DECENT INDIFFERENCE.

[megaralee]

Stoicism is the art of the peaceful,and grateful warrior.

[xVictimOfADownx1]

i found your channel today through The Amazing Atheist, and from the 3 videos i've seen of yours, your content is much more thought provoking and less predictable and of higher quality than everything i've seen of TJ's

[TristanDesnos]

Mate, if you're ever in the UK, guve us a shout i'll get you a beer in and we can talk Stoicism.

[billygundum]

how do these teachings correspond to Buddhism?

I sense that they do somehow

[yanikv]

Behold, a fuckin communications professor doing what they do best. Ha, ha. My opinion...Absolutely nothing. It should actually disturb the productive in the world that they must feed the non-productive.

[meinevvelten]

To my understanding, stoicism is not utter passivity. It's to understand what is in your control and what is not, and then taking the responsibility to act realistically and virtuously on what is. "Think globally, act locally."

[MetaCraken]

Why not fight back?

[ABCshake]

You make some good points

However in our complex modern world, there are many things in our lives that we have at least partial control of. For example, if you invest in stocks and bonds you're partially in control of your finances. We live in a democratic society, so the policies made by our governments are partially in our control. I also like to argue that you have partial control of how people see you and think about you. So its difficult to find what aspects of our lives are unalterable.

[German1184]

6:06 CORRECTION:

Diogenes of Sinope ( the Cynic ) is credited with the first known use of the word "cosmopolitan". When he was asked where he came from, he replied, "I am a citizen of the world (cosmopolites)"

-- Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, Book VI

Anyway, Stoicim can be considered a branch of Cynism ;)

[Professoranton]

@German1184 Many thanks!

[Metalheadtill1die]

@Professoranton I have been reading Marcus Aurelius, his Meditations, fantastic book and and I really like this video Professor sir.

[OpenAirAtheist]

@Professoranton Me again : ) I have have been studying stoicism recently and I have so far found there philosophy very useful and I love reading Markus Aurelius, Epictetus, Cicero and Senica. Anyway I was hoping to discus your book ''sources of significance'' via Skype sometime? if so feel free to add openairatheist on Skype.

[CamillaCalamity]

This philosophy seems to passive and stagnate to me. Where there's a will there's a way. If everyone just sat and accepted what they thought they couldn't change then humanity would never evolve.

[miguelbinha]

Thank you for this video!

[manmythlegend12]

I disagree on your end statement that Epictetus is the place to start. If you're new to Stoic philosophy you should most definitely read Marcus Aurelius' meditations first. It is much easier to get through and understand (and shorter). The language, at least in the translation I have, is much more straightforward in the Meditations than in The Discourses. I also think that Marcus Aurelius, being a rich man of his time, has much more in common with average Americans/Brits today than Epictetus has

[thedemoninmybrain]

amazing. thankyou so much. well thought and clearly explained.

[FishAlaska69]

You are a marvelously insightful man. Thank you.

[timeofwonder2009]

Very nice vid. Thanks.

[eDionysus]

"GRATEFUL INDIFFERENCE": Your concept of the Indifference which is Grateful pretty much reminds me of Nietzsche's "amor fati" that he talked about in a great passage of the Gay Science, although I think he repudiated both the Stoics and the Epicureans on many accounts

[thruthem]

Is there an excellent public domain Epictetus audio book I could snag somewhere?

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com / nb812

[andreleitecoelho]

Thank you professor Anton! I have been interested in Stoic philosophy and your videos are of great help!

[Aestros909]

Very good analysis of stoicism. I read Marcus Aurelius Meditations when I was a teenager,, and although I don't consider myself a stoic the principle of "grateful indifference" is priceless in the world today.

[stanislavvon]

loved the vid !

[pepperrgirl]

I agree. You should get more views. Thanks for posting.

[IIIMPULSE]

thanks for this

[rumit99]

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

[EasyESL]

I never even read the stoics, but a professor I really admired at university said I was a stoic.

[EasyESL]

Professor Anton: I have to admit that I hated you before, but I really, really like this video.

[EasyESL]

I have a lot of "stoic" qualities that I hate but I can't get rid of.

[EasyESL]

This is a good video.

[PortfolioManager1987]

5:08:

The scientists and industrialists are more of an exemplar here.

Professoranton, I think you're stuck in the mind body dichotomy, you really need to read Ayn Rand.

[GiantDoucheNG]

Incredible vid. You definitely don't get enough views in contrast to the quality of your videos. Subscribed, looking forward to more videos from you.

As someone who studies physics and the natural law of the universe, I'd like to aspire to be a stoic one day. This is among my favorite and most respected of Greek philosophies and I find that many aspects of it still hold true today. I think that the world would be a far better place with more stoics.

[Professoranton]

Thank you for your kind comments.

[pcnation11]

If I may ask, are you a stoic?

[Professoranton]

I would call myself perhaps a Neo-stoic. I don't agree with some of the stoic notions of Emotion but I find the stoic cosmology useful and refreshing. Stoicism is a robust tonic that I appreciate.

[pcnation11]

Okay so I myself believe in a personal God (unlike stoics) but I still like the indifference that comes through stoicism, the indifference to things that will lead to destructive emotions. I was just wondering if you can combine those. So you are a pantheist?

[Cimbolic]

Another great vid.

[Professoranton]

Thank you so much. All best to you

[beardfreak1969]

Useful information - something I needed to hear today :-)

Many thanks.

In the midst of emotional turmoil, yes, it becomes difficult to rise to the ideal, but one has to try.

[Professoranton]

Thanks, Check out the other vids in the Reading Group.

[baller1069]

Great video - this is much easier said than done. Grateful indifference is an ideal that one can try to live up to, but under intense sorrow it can be very difficult to remain indifferent.

[Professoranton]

Agreed.  Thanks

[FeelFreeToArgue]

Nice work. I'm more familiar with Marcus Aurelius than w/ Epictetus. I remember researching the Stoics for a rhetoric paper in college, and falling in love with their worldview. It was one of the few outlooks that didn't clash with my atheism. It seemed entirely practical, a perfect balance of the analytical and the spiritual.

I aspire to be a stoic, but I have a tendency to tilt at windmills. We are none of us perfect - which is in of itself another thing to be stoic about.

[JustAintthatWay]

@FeelFreeToArgue well said amigo

[dewonthegrass]

I am grateful to you (but not indifferent, :)) that you reminded me of a notion I had, although I didn't call it stoic nor indifference: I have done everything in my power to procure good results in various fields in my life, but although in many of them the results were astounding, there are areas where you see failure. I don't fret about that, because I say to myself: - "I have done my best" and believe it or not, I am indifferent, but grateful for the good things that I do have.

[Professoranton]

beautifully said

[Newsish]

Great video. I posted on newsishDOTcom.

[dwixi]

Today is full of people unwilling to take responsibility for there lifes. We need a revival of this.

[clearshquarter]

you remind me so so much of a good friend of mine, even the way you talk! its craaaaazy///

[Realizalize]

i `ve found your approach a bit sneaky from nature of your specialisation, as there assumably one might think that there shouldn`t be 2 opinions on it, but interrestingly enough it serves certain ppl (me incl.) and i hope it reaches some minds to settle`em.

i have a question about the indus language though, may i ask how far there is something established to look for?