Your original lecture on Marcus Aurelius triggered my interest in philosophy and sparked a real chapter of personal growth for me. Really happy for this upload. Thank you, Professor Sugrue. Your work is greatly appreciated.
I had the same epiphany. It started with a random joe Rohan podcast with a young historian who loved meditations and I stumbled onto dr sugrue’s lecture and It’s become my go to media to consume when I am reflecting. His lectures seem to awaken something in a thinking person that I’ve never really felt. It’s a very positive influence.
Hope you’re doing good Professor Surgrue. I just wanted to express my appreciation of your lectures, especially your original lecture of Marcus Aurelius. I heard your lecture about 4 years ago. I was going through some really tough times, especially with addiction. Your lecture turned a switch on and from there on I started to process everything with the principals of 16:05 . Since then my life has done a 180 degree turn for the better. I was able to see everything with a different perspective. I’m no longer dealing with addiction and helped me even when my mother passed. I just wanted to thank you and the Lord above for discovering your lecture. I still follow and practice Stoicism and it has made me a better son, father, and a man. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Professor. Thank you, and God bless….
A round of applause for Michael Sugrue. His compendious presentation of M Aurelius could not have been more lucid and comprehensive. His flair for striking turns of phrase adds a delectable piquancy to his style. No, his brain is not like a colander. It is a large cask in which double-distilled supernaculum has been aging for years. This draught of vintage is meant for slow listening---sip by sip to appreciate its divine flavour.
@@cinnamon4605 Probably the philosophy of playing the role you're assigned with pride rather than whining about it. That'll snap you out of a victim mentality real quick.
Nice nice, P.S That Marcus Aurelius meditations lecture pure gold, RIP sir. You delivered that to Americans in a class and it reached the whole world. Africa is saddened Rest In Power
We desperately needed an update on your brilliant lecture. Ive listened to it many times over the years. I would finish your sentences. Now I have another amazing lecture to return to. Many thanks !
So great to hear the actual mediations. These lectures are so important (and amazingly helpful). I only wonder that philosophy wasn’t seriously taught in some form in schools.
It used to come almost subliminally through religion to theasses. Now it comes almost subliminally through post-modernist liberalism via Twitter etc. Almost don't know what's worse.
The greatest philosopher of them all--bar none. He made daily attempts to walk the talk. Moral but realistic at the same time. Philosophy for THIS world, not some fantasy afterlife.
5:40 Life ends I control I Self-Control is possible No Excuses 7:17 Marcus Aurelias wrote the book to himself; a collection of scrap thoughts 💭 💭💭💭💭💭 8:30 Sober ruler of Rome 10:22 Power did not corrupt Aurelias The Golden Marcus + Works diligently + committed to doing right Morally serious self-introspection 13:38 Teach or Put Up Raise or Accept 14:24 You forget Life, Life forgets you 16:46 People trend toward foolishness viciousness and dishonesty 17:36 Icon of Righteousness 19:50 [Chemotherapy, whenever you get nervous] Consciously Self-Examining No Excuses Made Protecting People 25:42 Noble but could lead to Hubris *Question and Answer* 27:42 Sit Read Think 28:51 Contemporary Sources
How lucky am I to have seen his first lecture and be able to watch the follow up that took decades immediately. His voice changed. He talks slower and more careful which is saying a lot.
I've noticed a lot of younger guys lately attaching to this Stoic idea... I'm not sure they've completely grasped the entire concept. That is not to say their goals and methods are unsound, but it's like building a life philosophy on quotes from motivational posters. Thank you Dr.
It appears to me that there are a lot of young men who are doing poorly. Latching onto Marcus Aurelius is better than most of the things they might come upon. They don't know who they are, nor who they could be nor who they should be. Our current crop of alienated, angry, aimless young men too often were raised without a father who could impose a wholesome restraint and later without the civilizing effects of women and family in their lives. By civilizing effect of women on men I'm not talking about living in your mother's basement, being a gamer and Onlyfans regular, I'm talking about the best reason not to waste an irreplaceable portion of a young man's life, by choosing to create direction and growing up. Have you ever seen a civilized frat house? These young men know only too well that they would be better if they had girlfriends, but neither they nor any other men are not entitled to jack from the women of the world. No, it is necessary, if they want to live up to their potential and avoid a lifetime of justified self contempt, young men must decide to get their zhit together. Get a haircut, get a job, get a life. Then you might be able to bring a woman in your life who doesn't require your credit card number first. Aurelius could teach every one of these lost young men, who expect direction in life to come find them rather than them imposing direction on it themselves, how to be stand up guys.
@@dr.michaelsugrue That is a very good point... whether they fully understand the totality of Stoicism or Aurelius' thought or motivations, something is better than nothing. Even if it's a sort of "cafeteria Marcusism", if you get my drift. 😉 In my mind, the extremely widespread and facile availability of a global, multimedia communications network that humanity has devised (known colloquially as "the Internet") has hastened the kind of thing you're talking about. Families are breaking up, the "old ways" are deemed corny and outmoded... males used to need to improve themselves and be conscientious and studious to have access to "women." Now they can dance naked for them on screen, at the click of a button. I'm worried about the breakdown of traditional societal values... traditional gender roles... traditional local communities, in favor of a zeitgeist dominated by people of disparate cultures and interests, all demanding to have influence over one another, loudly and all at once. If Aurelius' thoughts can come to minimize some of that harm, that is good. I only meant to point out that I see a lot of guys sort of... what's the word... fetishising particular angles of the worldview in almost a trite way. I see this with Christianity too... as a Christian, I see this happen a lot as well (on both the fundamental/conservative and liberal sides.) I guess I'm expecting too much of humanity. 😂 From a utilitarian point of view, whether the philosophy or ideology is fully appreciated or not, it can do good... and is better than nothing.
The following dialogue was created by an AI bot. I asked it to create a discussion between Marcus and Plato. Marcus Aurelius: Greetings, Plato. It is an honor to engage in dialogue with such a renowned philosopher as yourself. Plato: The honor is mine, Marcus Aurelius. Your writings on Stoicism have greatly influenced my own thinking. Marcus Aurelius: Thank you. It is my belief that we must strive to live a virtuous life and cultivate inner peace, regardless of the circumstances that befall us. Plato: I could not agree more. The pursuit of virtue is at the heart of my philosophy as well. But how do we define virtue, and how do we cultivate it? Marcus Aurelius: Virtue, to me, is living in accordance with reason and living in harmony with the natural order of things. It is the practice of living a good and just life, in accordance with the principles of wisdom and integrity. Plato: Yes, I believe virtue is also about living in harmony with the eternal forms, or ideals, that exist beyond the material world. It is about striving towards perfection and excellence in all aspects of life. Marcus Aurelius: I see your point. But it is my belief that we must also be practical in our pursuit of virtue. We must focus on what is within our control and let go of what is not. Plato: I agree that we must be practical, but we must also strive for excellence in all things. Only by constantly improving ourselves and striving towards the eternal forms can we hope to achieve true virtue. Marcus Aurelius: I see your point. But it is also important to remember that we are human and that we will inevitably make mistakes. It is through the process of learning from these mistakes and striving to do better that we can truly grow and improve. Plato: Absolutely. The pursuit of virtue is a lifelong journey, and it is through constant self-improvement and the cultivation of wisdom that we can hope to achieve it.
Haha yeah I tried doing this with a lot of people. Tupac and Machiavelli namely lmao. It’s pretty corny rn, but in just a couple years, especially with giving Chat GBT a unique thesis, some cool at dialogues can def be spit out
@@dr.michaelsugrue I heard him say that in the lecture and that fucking sucks. But my point still stands, more walking, more water. Life is trying to kill us all but your pops is a great man, we need him.
Would you say Seneca walked the walk as well? Do you agree with Voltaire or Oscar Wilde’s take on Marcus Aurelius as being the perfect man or the greatest person to have ever lived? Last question: is there an actual Marcus Aurelius historian out there; are you one?
Be careful what you ask for. I feel like such a worm in the presence of Aurelius and so will you. The Emperor would graciously accept your offer of friendship, provided that you had a demonstrated ability to be your own friend first. As your new friend, he would suggest that he could not in good conscience deplete the tragically limited spiritual resources of anyone who treated themselves poorly, enslaved themselves to their libido and had cultivated chaotic souls. He would remind you that it is proper to hold the intention to treat others well, but until you organize your feelings and have that change manifest itself in strictly just conduct toward all you still have work to do. Your perfectly sincere, direct new friend would tell you that is the friendliest advice he can offer you in response to your proffered friendship is to tell you to be your own friend. Fix your life first and stop dodging the obligation of stepping up on behalf of the man you could become. This IS his good side.
@@dr.michaelsugrue I can't believe this reply was waiting there for me for 4 days. I didn't expect a reply, let alone such a valuable synthesis, a blueprint into understanding Aurelius's core underlying guideline. Thank you. I get an inkling of what you are providing me. Taming my ego has been a personal bumper sticker for some time, but, it seems that Aurelius provides a self analyzing standard, by which any religion, can hold up as the ultimate model. I am starting to get it: How I treat others, and even the attitude I sincerely hold while "treating" others seems to be a litmus test as to whether I have tamed my ego. I think people see through to the sincerity of it all anyway. Maybe the only way to effect change is by wearing the aura of that hard fought change. I hope you continue your public work. Your perspective is a priceless jewel mined from extraordinary sacrifice. God made you into true "lover of reading" I appreciate that. While wearing headphones listening to youtube, I work construction with my hands, so these conversations you have provided open a door into a world that I have cheated myself of. With more life behind me than in front of me, yours and others distillation of the great thoughts of history is priceless to me, and I thank God for that. But you must know, not everyone can do it with as much character, style, grace and depth of perspective as you offer. It seems I am a fan. Peace.
I recently found a copy of Alvin Gouldner’s “The Future of Intellectuals and the Rise of the New Class” I would love to hear Prof. Sugrue lecture on this text.
He voice now booms with a baritone of a fatherly man like the philosophers he has studied... If you watch his younger lecture videos you will see the truth of this
Im 47 and when i think about how he lived i feel likeci was weak to wimen drink and true to myself i will do my best from here on in to live this way i beat the alcohol i have 5 daughters my mum died when i was 17 and my father committed suicide when i was 39, a part of me knew the way i lived and coped was not the way i wanted to live i train everyday i work and im trying to figure out how to do something i love that helps People.
I wonder if Marcus Aurelius actually truly believed that anyone can do anything another can do, like there aren't any real inherent differences between people, or if he just thought it would be a benign manipulation or lie, that would positively influence the reader or the receiver of such ideas.
Dr. Sugrue, regarding the rationale or natural historical reason or function of religion that you explain around 50 min. mark w/in this video, would you include Christianity in that assessment that Christianity’s function is Justice in terms of trying to humble the arrogant leader in order for society to prosper? If so, what do you make of the element of forgiveness which is so paramount in Christianity and which isn’t something that can be reduced solely to justice? What function or benefit would it serve, for example, to love your enemy and to pray for or to pardon those who persecute you? Or to buy into the belief that even the most unworthy person, that you may well despise and for very good reason, still has a chance to be redeemed in the hereafter? Furthermore do you personally think there is something more to Christianity in the suprarational sense rather than the rational functional sense? By the way, I love your lectures and analyses on the topics you cover.
Great talk. One question I had after the plague and earthquake comment and how Marcus has to protect people who are scared: Could the world actually function if everyone was stoic?
I also have a question about Marcus’ views on Stoic philosophy. One of his main points seems to be to like you said teach people or put up with them. He also said in “Meditations” (I paraphrase) that if a man detaches himself from some one it is like a branch detaching itself from it’s connected branch which is connected to the stump and therefore the rest of the tree. For us it is like we are disconnecting from the whole network of people. But he does iterate that it is possible to start again and reconnect in a different part of the network. So my question is: Is it authentically stoic to drop certain people from your life if you feel like they are not helping you or are healthy for you? After all Stoicism is more about a life obligated to others like you said but what is your opinion on this?
I dont know how can any person like an emperor who has everything ; who's any wish can be fulfilled. live life of discipline self control and doing whats right inspite of pain and suffering How can anyone do that i get succumbed to tiny pleasures easily like sir mentioned in the video
Honestly, if you compile all of his originals together, it kind of makes its own philosophy. I don’t know if he does that on purpose or if it just happens. Pretty unique we get to witness how it evolves in real time.
I was moved by the your first lecture on Marcus Aurelius. I appreciate you professor - I do believe some people have a talent of teaching and telling certain things. This was also a really nice upload. I know there is a map picture above your head - but when the video is made smaller throughout the second half of the video - it looks like saggy avatar boobs and was a bit hard to focus. Other than that, I truly appreciate this.
Despite haters who may dismiss stoic wisdom as the 'dude-bro' bookshelf, the open-minded can generally find resilience here. However, readers may not realize from reading Marcus Aurelius that his sense of duty allegedly led him to order the persecution of Christians, and if this were proven true, then his self-admonishments to live better would start to ring hollow. Others will be alienated by his apparent death-obsession. [Edit: Reading further, it seems disputed whether or not Marcus really persecuted Christians; Tertullian called him a "protector" of Christians, and the source of the charge may have been a "pious fraud" (ex: Eusebius).
