I don't think vice is bad. Having a few drinks, smoking, sex for pleasure... Life has to be lived and there is time for everything. Vice should not be the antonym of virtue. It is different if we talk about a vice that governs all your actions, which we could define as addiction.
Angel, vice is defined as something that people do on a regular basis. Just like an occasional act of generosity doesn’t make someone generous, occasional drinking doesn’t make someone a drunkard. Seneca says that it’s fine to experience pleasure and to drink. The problem is when pleasure controls us, instead of the other way around.
Retracing the mind to ever be aware to weigh thoughts and actions so that virtuous activity always arises is difficult. I’m not sure even attainable, try as may
Letter 71 is really good. I love the analogy of dyeing wool. Here's another quote (from 71.5) that resonated with me: "Once you are clear on this point, that only what is honorable is good, then everything that is uncomfortable in itself will be counted as a good, as long as virtue renders it honorable."
I think this is another perspective-shifting idea that seems common in Stoicism. Hardships happen, but if we can respond virtuously (reserve clause?), then that hardship becomes a benefit to you (to your character). I really must take a break from Epictetus and start reading Seneca again. This was a motivational letter.
Mike, that’s right, a major feature of the philosophical approach in general, and Stoicism in particular, is the ability to reframe an issue to our advantage. That’s what modern psychologists call it—reframing—and there is plenty empirical evidence that it works.
I don't think vice is bad. Having a few drinks, smoking, sex for pleasure... Life has to be lived and there is time for everything. Vice should not be the antonym of virtue. It is different if we talk about a vice that governs all your actions, which we could define as addiction.
Angel, vice is defined as something that people do on a regular basis. Just like an occasional act of generosity doesn’t make someone generous, occasional drinking doesn’t make someone a drunkard. Seneca says that it’s fine to experience pleasure and to drink. The problem is when pleasure controls us, instead of the other way around.
Retracing the mind to ever be aware to weigh thoughts and actions so that virtuous activity always arises is difficult. I’m not sure even attainable, try as may
It’s certainly attainable, but not all the times. Then again, we are not sages, so all we can do is try our best.
Letter 71 is really good. I love the analogy of dyeing wool. Here's another quote (from 71.5) that resonated with me: "Once you are clear on this point, that only what is honorable is good, then everything that is uncomfortable in itself will be counted as a good, as long as virtue renders it honorable."
I think this is another perspective-shifting idea that seems common in Stoicism. Hardships happen, but if we can respond virtuously (reserve clause?), then that hardship becomes a benefit to you (to your character). I really must take a break from Epictetus and start reading Seneca again. This was a motivational letter.
Mike, that’s right, a major feature of the philosophical approach in general, and Stoicism in particular, is the ability to reframe an issue to our advantage. That’s what modern psychologists call it—reframing—and there is plenty empirical evidence that it works.