Massimo Pigliucci

But we are specifically animals that are highly social and capable, at least, of reason.

We're not always reasonable, or in fact, even often, arguably.

But we're certainly capable of it.

Reason is the best way that we have to actually solve our problems.

So according to the Stoics, therefore, if that's human nature, then a good human life means to try to do your best, to live pro-socially, to cooperate with other people, and to try to solve your problems rationally.

And I think that's excellent advice across the board.

Another one of the fundamental Stoic concepts is cosmopolitanism.

The notion is that we should do our best to think of everyone else on the planet, regardless of where they live and whether we know them personally or not, as our brothers and sisters or our relatives, friends, stuff like that.

Why?

Well, because we're all rational animals.

We all share this basic human ability and propensity to live socially and to use reason to solve problems.

Therefore, there is no reason.

In fact, reason itself tells you that it's nonsense to just treat other people differently.

They're just like you.

And it's only an accident of personal history, whether you know them or not, you met them or not.

So cosmopolitanism is another one of those fundamental stoic concepts.

Well, again, there are some similarities for sure.

There are some passages in Marcus Aurelius that I could point out, and they do really sound Taoist.

For instance, one of my favorites is when Marcus tells himself that if there is an obstacle and your first instinct is to just go straight at the obstacle, you bump your head against the wall, that might not be the best way to do it.

If you stop and reflect about things, there may be a way around it or above it or under it.