February 14, 2024

Donald Robertson on Marcus Aurelius the Stoic Emperor, Fatherhood, Errors in ChatGPT, Stoic Meta Lessons, and why the world needs Philosophy now more than ever

1 hour 25 minutes

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, Donald Robertson sheds light on the practice of Stoicism and its relevance in today's world. He warns against the societal perils of anger, victim mentality, and information manipulation, especially in the age of technologically advanced misinformation. Drawing parallels between ancient teachings of Socrates and modern societal influence, Robertson emphasizes the defensive power of philosophy in understanding logical fallacies, rhetoric, and promoting critical thinking. He further discusses the importance of studying history to gain better insights into the present and shares his unique approach to home-based education during the pandemic.

Episode Highlights:

04:58 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adult Life

06:33 The Concept of Reversal of Fortune in Ancient Philosophy

40:49 The Power of Stoicism in Breaking Free from Societal Trances

46:11 The Role of Anger in Military Training

46:28 Harnessing Anger: A Stoic Perspective

47:45 The Dangers of Underestimating Risk

48:52 The Role of Anger in Decision Making

01:06:04 The Influence of Media on Our Opinions

01:08:55 The Role of Philosophy in Protecting Us from Manipulation

01:11:49 The Importance of Studying History to Understand Our Present

Donald Robertson is a writer, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, and trainer, co-founded Modern Stoicism nonprofit and leads Plato’s Academy Centre in Athens. Specializing in evidence-based psychological skills, he bridges modern therapy and ancient philosophy. Born in Scotland, he practiced in London before moving to Canada, where he focuses on writing and consultancy, splitting time with Greece.

You can learn more about Donald here: https://donaldrobertson.name/

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.

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