In this interview, Sam Harris talks with Donald Robertson about Stoicism. Robertson explains his background and how he became interested in Stoicism, viewing it as a Western form of Buddhism. He summarizes Stoicism as an ethical worldview centered on virtue as the only true good, leading to emotional resilience. They discuss techniques of Stoicism, such as prosoche (mindfulness) and Socratic questioning, and its connection to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Robertson shares how Stoicism can help manage negative emotions like anger and irrational fear. They explore the lives and works of key Stoic figures like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, and discuss the Eleusinian Mysteries and Socrates's death. They also touch on the challenges of modern life, such as social media and misrepresentation of views, and how Stoic principles can be applied to address them.
