December 10, 2025

William Spears On Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, Philosophical Razors and Personal Identity, Stoicism in Modern Mental Health and Critical Thinking

47 minutes

In this episode Marcus sits down with Commander William C. Spears, a US Navy submarine warfare officer and author of "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy." Together, they explore the practical application of stoic philosophy in leadership, adversity, and modern life, offering insights for anyone seeking to live by actions, not words.

Episode Highlights:

1:10 — Introduction to Commander William C. Spears and his background in the US Navy
11:30 — The deeper meaning of stoicism and the "dichotomy of control" as a philosophical razor
19:00 — Stoicism’s role in leadership, duty, and making ethical decisions as a professional and a human
42:00 — Applying stoic practices to overcome hardship and grow through adversity

Commander William C. Spears is a submarine warfare officer in the US Navy, having served as a weapons officer on a fast attack submarine and as an executive officer of a Trident missile submarine. He is the author of "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy," a deeply researched exploration of stoic thought from a warfighter’s perspective. Spears is also a prolific writer on leadership and ethics, sharing his insights on his website and LinkedIn.

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By Marcus Aurelius Anderson

4.9