Emperor Nero, born on 15th December AD 37, is a figure synonymous with extravagance, cruelty, and madness in the annals of history. His reign as the Emperor of Rome from 54 to 68 AD was marked by personal decadence and political terror, a stark contrast to his early years when he displayed promise and competence. 1️⃣ Early Life and Rise to Power Nero was born into a lineage of influential and, at times, ruthless leaders. His great-great-grandfather, Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, was a legendary figure in Roman history. His mother, Agrippina the Younger, was known for her ambitious and ma ..read more

Some of the greatest philosophy books ever created were formed from nothing but a numbered list of succinctly written insights — maxims or aphorisms: pithy observations containing a general truth about life. Such classics include Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, François de La Rochefoucauld’s Maxims, and most of Friedrich Nietzsche’s and Arthur Schopenhauer’s masterpieces. Alain de Botton is a modern-day curator, translator, and torch-carrier of ancient and neglected ideas, and is bringing the aphorism back to life. Following in the foot ..read more

Imagine your mind as a vast, complex labyrinth, where pathways of neurons twist and turn, bathed in a fluid cocktail of chemicals and hormones. This intricate maze not only shapes our thoughts and behaviors but also holds the key to unlocking the potential of our cognitive abilities. But what happens when external factors like alcohol or the natural surge of hormones during significant life events disrupt this delicate balance? This is where the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, adapted for the modern era, offers a guiding light. The Brain's Trio And Stoicism's Role Our brains are an ensembl ..read more

Marcus Aurelius, also known as the 'Philosopher King', was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history, reigning from 161 to 180 AD. Born into a prominent family, he rose to power in a period of great military conflict and political instability. Despite his elite status, Marcus is best remembered for his commitment to the Stoic philosophy, which he practiced not just in theory but in the day-to-day running of an empire. His legacy is most enduringly captured in the series of writings known as "Meditations" - a collection of personal thoughts and exercises in Stoic philosophy. Original ..read more

"The most subtle thing that's changed for me over time is...increasingly realizing how steeped [Marcus Aurelius] is in the preceding philosophical tradition." —  Donald Robertson I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Donald Robertson Aurelius to discuss the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. If you want to do a deep dive into the life of Marcus, you can read Donald's book How to Think About Marcus Aurelius. But for now, I'd like to present my in-depth interview with Donald and a breakdown of the key details from our discussion. The full-length interview ? How to Think ..read more

So many Stoic practices, but where do you begin? In this article, I provide an example Stoic daily routine that you can start experimenting with today. To make things simple, I've categorized the day into four broad areas: Morning Rituals Work Rituals Social Rituals Evening Rituals I've also created a companion podcast to go with this post. Both the podcast and the article complement each other but they are standalone pieces in themselves. When it comes time to put the ideas into practice, I'd strongly recommend you have some fun with them. Don't be overly serious. That's missing the point ..read more

I recently listened to the Triggernometry interview Stoicism: How to Get Better at Life featuring Massimo Pigliucci. In this interview, the topic turned to the question of how one can practice the 4 cardinal Stoic virtues: justice, temperance, courage, and practical wisdom. The first three of these virtues present fairly straightforward training protocols. For example: Justice = Learn to act with more fairness, speak the truth, and do to others as you would do to yourself. Temperance = Practical voluntary hardship, abstinence, and moderate indulgences. Courage = Develop a lifestyle where you ..read more

Future uncertainty is a major stressor. When we don't know what's coming, our mind projects all kinds of fantasies to try and "protect us" and keep us in the know. This can lead to anxiety, which can be defined as fear + uncertainty. The uncertainty coupled with fear makes us search for new information or paths, which is the sensation of anxiety. For this reason, many people love to try and predict how things will unfold, whether that be in the form of DNA testing about potential health issues, seeking out spiritual mediums to predict misfortune or following data scientists to try and stay ah ..read more

Philosophy in antiquity was an exercise practiced at each instant. It invites us to concentrate on each instant of life, to become aware of the infinite value of each present moment, once we have replaced it within the perspective of the cosmos. The exercise of wisdom entails a cosmic dimension. Whereas the average person has lost touch with the world, and does not see the world qua world, but rather treats the world as a means of satisfying his desires, the sage never ceases to have the whole constantly present to mind. He thinks and acts within a cosmic perspective. He has the feeling of a w ..read more

Have you ever noticed that our relationships with others can be a great source of joy, but they can also be a great source of pain? There are many reasons that contribute to where we find ourselves along the joy-pain spectrum, but a major factor is our own expectations about our role in the relationship. Different types of relationships require different duties. For example, the social role of a father is different from that of a son, and the social role of a husband is different from a business partner. To maximize our satisfaction in any given relationship and live in accordance with nature ..read more