This is one of your best posts yet! I’m sharing with my readers. “We can only follow the example of Socrates, and if someone asks where we’re from, never say ‘I’m an Athenian’ or ‘I’m a Corinthian,’ but ‘I’m a citizen of the universe.’” (Epictetus, Discourses 1.9.1) Love!
Of the many wonderful essays you have written, these inspired juxtapositions of definitive Stoic philosophy quotes and Einstein aphorisms might be my new favorite. Thanks so much for this!
Wonderful essay. There really is a common thread in stoic thoughts and Einstein's and Spinoza's writings. I wonder if their Jewish cultural heritage was the source of their ideas. I don't know alot about their lives but know Einstein was a secular Jew and Spinoza a radical excommunicated Jew. Perhaps there were links between Jewish philosophy and Stoic practitioners in ancient times. After all if we use reason in our thinking we are all bound to uncover many of the same truths about nature and ourselves!
I think it's fair to say that you can be a Stoic without necessarily knowing the philosophy or reading about it. It just comes naturally, presumably via one's background (gene/environment interactions and the rest). In Einstein's case, the obvious parallels you point out serve to give the philosophy huge credibility, given that Einstein is widely considered one of the greatest minds in history. Well done!
Morton, stocism is full of pithy helpful sayings that give us perspective on our lives eg Memento Mori. I thought up a new one that helps me put things into perspective, "Memento unde venimus." IE remember where we came from! In other words even though things may seem bad at the present they were much worse in the past. Current wars though distressing, are relatively minor compared to previous ones and poverty and disease a fraction of what they were even 50 years ago. Even china is hitting its co2 targets 6 years ahead of targets! We are sometimes overwhelmed by 24 hrs media which focuses on emotional heart breaking stories stories to keep ratings up and us engaged. But I think it gives a false idea of the much progress we have actually made. We stoics need to recognise suffering but also promote the good stories and the achievements of our ancestors! "Memento unde venimus!"
This is one of your best posts yet! I’m sharing with my readers. “We can only follow the example of Socrates, and if someone asks where we’re from, never say ‘I’m an Athenian’ or ‘I’m a Corinthian,’ but ‘I’m a citizen of the universe.’” (Epictetus, Discourses 1.9.1) Love!
Thank you, appreciated!
The more I read about Einstein, the more impressed I am with the man.
Likewise!
Morning Massimo
Of the many wonderful essays you have written, these inspired juxtapositions of definitive Stoic philosophy quotes and Einstein aphorisms might be my new favorite. Thanks so much for this!
Bill
I agree!
Thanks Bill, much appreciated!
Wonderful essay. There really is a common thread in stoic thoughts and Einstein's and Spinoza's writings. I wonder if their Jewish cultural heritage was the source of their ideas. I don't know alot about their lives but know Einstein was a secular Jew and Spinoza a radical excommunicated Jew. Perhaps there were links between Jewish philosophy and Stoic practitioners in ancient times. After all if we use reason in our thinking we are all bound to uncover many of the same truths about nature and ourselves!
I think so, and between Christianity and other religions/philosophies.
Albert, we hardly knew ye.
😆
What a wonderful essay! Thanks very much, Massimo, for this.
You’re welcome, Michael, it was lots of fun to research and write.
I think it's fair to say that you can be a Stoic without necessarily knowing the philosophy or reading about it. It just comes naturally, presumably via one's background (gene/environment interactions and the rest). In Einstein's case, the obvious parallels you point out serve to give the philosophy huge credibility, given that Einstein is widely considered one of the greatest minds in history. Well done!
Glad you liked it!
You are too kind, Mort.
Morton, stocism is full of pithy helpful sayings that give us perspective on our lives eg Memento Mori. I thought up a new one that helps me put things into perspective, "Memento unde venimus." IE remember where we came from! In other words even though things may seem bad at the present they were much worse in the past. Current wars though distressing, are relatively minor compared to previous ones and poverty and disease a fraction of what they were even 50 years ago. Even china is hitting its co2 targets 6 years ahead of targets! We are sometimes overwhelmed by 24 hrs media which focuses on emotional heart breaking stories stories to keep ratings up and us engaged. But I think it gives a false idea of the much progress we have actually made. We stoics need to recognise suffering but also promote the good stories and the achievements of our ancestors! "Memento unde venimus!"
Tim, I like it! Memento unde venimus indeed!
I hope the world will recover and get a bit better for future generations.