When the world feels broken, the temptation is to step back, tune out, and give up. But history’s greatest philosophers didn’t retreat when their societies were in turmoil. They stepped forward. In this episode of The Laughing Philosopher, we explore how Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Jesus, Siddhartha, Socrates, Aristotle, and Epictetus each faced a world as divided, chaotic, and uncertain as our own, but chose engagement over escape. From emperors battling plagues to sages challenging corrupt power, these thinkers didn’t hide from society’s problems. They confronted them with courage, clarity, and compassion. Their stories ask us a simple but urgent question: if the wisest people in history didn’t retreat from their world, why should we retreat from ours? Listen in for a blend of history, philosophy, and inspiration, complete with real-life examples and timeless wisdom to help you stay engaged, stay hopeful, and stay human in troubled times.

What does a Scottish philosopher’s “guillotine” have to do with your daily decisions? In this episode, we explore David Hume’s famous Is-Ought Fallacy — why you can’t jump from what is to what ought to be — and how Hume’s Guillotine still shapes modern debates about right and wrong. With a mix of wisdom and practical examples, we cut to the heart of why facts alone can’t tell us what’s moral. From everyday life choices to serious ethical debates, we slice through the gap between facts and values with just enough philosophical mischief to keep you thinking long after the episode ends.

What if the first step to becoming wise is admitting you know nothing? In this episode, we discover how to think like Socrates and unlock the secrets of wisdom. We dive into the philosophy of questioning beliefs, challenging assumptions, and embracing curiosity — the core habits of truly wise people. Whether you’re curious about ancient philosophy for modern life or eager to learn how to become wise through the teachings of Socrates, this episode offers a serious yet playful guide to expanding your mind and seeing your world in a whole new way.

What does it really mean to live with integrity? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore seven powerful ways integrity shapes our lives and why living by your principles and being true to oneself isn’t just noble, it’s the ultimate test of good character. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of history’s greatest philosophers, you will discover how honesty, accountability, and consistency can change your life and transform how you think, act, and connect with others. If you’ve ever wondered why integrity is so important to living well and doing well, this episode is your guide.

Should you care what other people think? Socrates says NO! In this episode, we explore what ancient philosophy can teach us about modern social pressure. Drawing from Socrates’ dialogue with Crito, we unpack why caring too much about public opinion can sabotage your clarity, confidence, and personal growth. You’ll learn how psychological traps like the Bandwagon Effect and Risky Shift distort your thinking, and how Socratic wisdom can help you think independently and live more authentically. If you’re tired of following the crowd and want a philosophy of self-improvement rooted in reason, this episode is your guide to the wisdom of Socrates.

Got a temper? So did the ancient Romans. But one of them, the Stoic philosopher Seneca, had a radically different approach to anger, and it still works today. In this episode, we explore how Stoicism teaches us to master our emotions, especially the most destructive one of all, anger. Seneca didn’t just preach calm. He gave practical advice on how to keep your cool in the heat of an argument, respond instead of react, and settle disputes before they spiral. If you’ve ever said something you regretted, held a grudge too long, or lost your cool at the worst possible moment, this episode will give you powerful tools to change all that. Learn how a little ancient wisdom can bring you more peace, better relationships, and a reputation for unshakable calm. Don’t get mad, get Stoic!

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all believed that what you are matters far more than what you have. Good character is your most precious possession. In this episode, we dig deep into the ten unmistakable qualities of a person with good character, guided by the timeless wisdom of philosophy’s greatest minds. Socrates teaches that an examined life is paramount as we reflect on the kind of person we are and aspire to be. Plato teaches that true happiness comes not from pleasure but from living in harmony with the soul’s virtues. And Aristotle? He teaches that we become what we repeatedly do. So excellence and moral greatness are built on ten virtues we can practice and good character is not an action, but a habit we can form. If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize real virtue in a world obsessed with image, or how to build a life that’s not just successful but the right path to becoming a good person, this episode is your blueprint.

The sky is falling. Do you feel there is no hope for the future? Does everything you hold dear feel like it’s about to blow up? Stoking apocalyptic fears and dystopian visions of the future is a whole industry of doom merchants. Calm down! Philosophy can explain why doomsday is unlikely, why you feel the end of the world is near, and why you should face the future with optimism and good cheer.

We live in terror of death. We cling to youth and claw at life, afraid to let go. Once we conquer the greater fear of death, our lesser fears lose their power over us, and every other adversity becomes so much easier to overcome. Ignorance is the cause of fear. Death is the other half of the bargain we make when we accept life. Death means returning to where we started and knowing it again for the first time. Death seems strange and unfamiliar only because we are born knowing only life. Death is nothing to fear. You’ll be just fine!

Smart people can be stupid and believe absurd, weird, and crazy things. We are remarkably poor at distinguishing truth from falsehood and even worse at detecting liars and deception. Truth has nothing to do with what we believe. A belief doesn’t need to be true to be believed. We believe as we do, not because we think our belief is true, but because it is consistent with the wider web of our other beliefs. If we wish it to be true, and if it fits neatly inside the web of beliefs, then we readily believe it, true or false.