Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Practical Wisdom is a short weekly podcast produced by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci of the City College of New York. The idea is to sample the philosophical writings of a wide range of Greco-Roman authors in search of insights that may be useful for modern life. Currently, we are examining five works: Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics; Cicero’s Tusculan Disputations; Epictetus’s Discourses; Epicurus’s Being Happy (letters and aphorisms); and Plato’s early Socratic dialogues (Ion, Laches, Lysis, Charmides, Hippias Major, Hippias Minor, and Euthydemus). Available also on Apple, Google, and Spotify.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Greco-Roman philosophy • concepts of happiness • ethics and morality • determinism and free will • courage and bravery • soul and mortality • reason vs. inspiration • nature of pleasure • philosophical discussions"Practical Wisdom" is a podcast produced by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci that delves into the philosophical writings of various Greco-Roman authors to extract insights applicable to modern life. The show aims to make complex philosophical ideas accessible and relevant, examining texts from influential figures such as Aristotle, Cicero, Epictetus, Epicurus, and Plato.
Throughout its episodes, the podcast explores a range of philosophical themes. Happiness and the good life are persistent subjects, with discussions on the requirements for happiness, the importance of external goods, and the nature of pleasure versus pain. Aristotle's perspectives on who can attain happiness and the instrumental and intrinsic goods also feature prominently.
The nature of the soul and considerations about death recur in multiple episodes. Cicero's writings offer reflections on the appropriate time to die and reasons for not fearing death, while Epicurus expounds on the concept that death is not to be feared as it signifies the end of sensation.
Free will and determinism are examined through the lens of Epicurean philosophy, emphasizing the balance between events out of our control and those within our power. The Stoic views presented by Epictetus focus on reason and how to react stoically to life's events, including the acceptance of death and the importance of fulfilling one's role without succumbing to external pressures.
Courage and bravery in various contexts are also considered, particularly through dialogues in Plato's works. The need for expertise and the importance of education in adjusting one’s preconceptions about reason and nature further characterize the discussions.
Overall, this podcast provides a rich tapestry of philosophical discourse aimed at understanding human life, ethics, and the pursuit of wisdom.
