Introduction to Stoic Philosophy | Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations Explained

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Happiness is possible even for a billionaire. We think, if only I had more wealth, then I'd be happy. But Marcus says there is a number that will crush you. Extreme wealth is hard mode for happiness. Marcus Aurelius had 13 kids. Seven of them died before they reached adulthood. Misfortune, nobly born, is good fortune.

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Diogenes is what you get if Socrates and Rousseau had a kid. and that kid decided to be a terrorist. So many great men, Goethe, Jefferson, Frederick the Great, have looked at this book for inspiration. More so than any other work, it feels like I'm not just exposed to a set of ideas,

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but I've been introduced to a man, and dare I say a friend. Many books claim to be life-changing, but this is a rare one that actually is. Marcus Aurelius was a stoic philosopher and the greatest emperor of Rome. And we can see how great Marcus was by the sheer amount of challenges that he had to overcome.

Introduction to Stoic Philosophy | Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations Explained

A lecture on Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

Johnathan Bi

Jan 16, 2025

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Companion lectures and interviews:

Katharina Volk on Stoicism as a Coping Mechanism

Further Readings:

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Amazon (affiliate)

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Discussion about this video

William Gurtowski

Jan 16

Johnathan! I really appreciate your work and how you broadcast the importance of philosophy! I work as a chaplain, and I studied philosophy (mostly Karl Jaspers) in my undergraduate education.

I also really appreciate that you focus your work towards a subgroup of people with similar interests in deep engagement rather than mass appeal. It demonstrates much integrity on your part and your authenticity.

I like Marcus Aurelius, but I’m cautious about his ideas. The author Joseph Conrad (one of the most influential writers for me, although I’m aware of his controversies and the impacts they can have on people) said in his autobiography:

“I am thinking that it is an easy matter for an austere emperor to jot down grandiose advice. Most of the working truths on this earth are humble, not heroic; and there have been times in the history of mankind when the accents of heroic truth have moved it to nothing but derision.

Nobody will expect to find between the covers of this little book words of extraordinary potency or accents of irresistible heroism. However humiliating for my self esteem, I must confess that the counsels of Marcus Aurelius are not for me.” (A Personal Record, Conrad)

Again, thanks for what you do, and keep it up! Blessings from Atlanta, GA!

Will

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Right?! Loving all his YouTube videos we need good quality and thoughtful productions. One of my favorite teachers!

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Yes! I totally agree! Thank you for reading my comment! 😇

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Michael Kalish

Jun 26

Good presentation. But the fundamental flaw of Stoicism is that it is not based on the scientific reality of the human condition. The Meditations, in fact, are a chronicle of Marcus’ repeated failures to apply Stoic principles to the reality of his human existence. In other words, Stoicism is aspirational as an ideal but mostly impractical as a philosophy of life.

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