Hidden Brain - You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicism

What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That's what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book called Meditations. It was written nearly two thousand years ago by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But Massimo, now a philosopher, says Meditations, and Stoic philosophy more broadly, offer wisdom that continues to speak to our lives. This week, we explore Stoic ideas and the lessons they hold for what it means to live well.

Duration: 52m
Broadcast on: 21 Jul 2025
Audio Format: other

What does it mean to be stoic? Many of us assume it means you have a stiff upper lip, or that you suppress your emotions. That's what Massimo Pigliucci thought — until he started to peruse a book called Meditations. It was written nearly two thousand years ago by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But Massimo, now a philosopher, says Meditations, and Stoic philosophy more broadly, offer wisdom that continues to speak to our lives. This week, we explore Stoic ideas and what they tell us about a life well lived.

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This is Hidden Brain, I'm Shankar Vedanta. To be human, to be alive, is to be vulnerable to sadness and suffering. For centuries, artists, writers and thinkers have tried to capture what this feels like. The author William Styron once said, "The great drizzle of horror induced by depression takes on the quality of physical pain. But it is not an immediately identifiable pain, like that of a broken limb. It may be more accurate to say that despair comes to resemble the diabolical discomfort of being imprisoned in a fiercely overheated room. And because no breeze stirs this cauldron, because there is no escape from the smothering confinement, it is entirely natural that the victim begins to think ceaselessly of oblivion." Sometimes our suffering is connected to what we see in the world. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, who was already prone to depression, was often consumed by the horrors of the war. His secretary, John Hay, would note that, "He would sit for hours staring vacantly out the window, his face displaying the deepest sorrow imaginable." But as long as humans have been suffering, humans have also been trying to find paths out of suffering. Philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders have offered many ideas on how to live a life of contentment. Today on the show, we explore the ideas of an unusual philosopher king who lived some 19 centuries ago. There's a reason his meditations about a life worth living have survived nearly 2,000 years. Ancient ideas to help us find a way out of modern despondencies. When it comes to my policy, farmers give it to me straight, so there's no surprises. It's your coverage you should never be confused. You hear that? An insurance provider with a conscience. Straight forward coverage you can literally understand. That's what you get when you have farmers. Learn more at farmers.com, underwritten by farmers truck or fire insurance exchanges or affiliate products not available in every state. Working as a dedicated fidelity advisor, I always ask, "What's important to you?" I'll look at those priorities and goals alongside your full financial picture to build a comprehensive plan designed to help grow and protect your wealth. With proactive portfolio insights and an eye on taxes, I'm here to help you make the most of your money. I'm Laura Maxwell and I'm a dedicated fidelity advisor. Learn more at fidelity.com/wealth. Investment minimum supply, Fidelity brokerage services, LLC member NYSE SIPC. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Defender. Even the boldest journey starts small, with a single decision to go somewhere new. The Defender 110 is a vehicle built for those moments for drivers capable of great things, whether they're headed toward uncharted territory or just a weekend away. The Defender 110 combines on-road presence with off-road capability. It looks tough because it is, with an exterior engineered for durability. Inside, capability meets comfort, with seating for five and the option for seven, plus refined finishes and thoughtful design. It's also packed with intuitive tech, like 3D surround cameras with clear-side ground view to help you navigate rough terrain, and the next-generation PIVI Pro infotainment system, designed to keep you informed, connected, and in control, no matter the path. The Defender 110 is naturally capable, expedition ready, and build for those ready to move forward. Explore the Defender 110 at LandroverUSA.com. Most of us have been there. Low points in our life when we look around and realize that something needs to change. What we do in these moments can spell the difference between a life of well-being or a life of despair. At the City College of New York, philosopher Massimo Piliucci has personal experience with such moments in his own life. Massimo Piliucci, welcome to Hidden Brain. It's a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me. Massimo, your world fell apart when you turned 40. Where were you living at the time? I was in Knoxville, Tennessee, the buckle of the Bible Belt, as they call it. And what was going on in your life? I had started my academic career at the University of Tennessee. I was a biologist at the time, not a philosopher, and I was being treated very well by the university there, but at the same time, there were a couple of things that were problematic. Number one, the local culture was difficult for

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