From Defense to War: A Stoic Response to America’s Rebrand
In this episode I unpack the recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Defense is being renamed the Department of War — and why, from a Stoic perspective, that shift in language and intent is antithetical to virtue. I explore what a true warrior ethos looks like according to Stoic philosophy, why intentions matter more than branding or rhetoric, and how populist theatrics around power can easily drift away from justice and wisdom.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— The Stoic warrior ethos is not about “maximum lethality” or offense, but about justice, self-control, wisdom, and courage in the face of conflict.
— Words and names may be performative, but they reflect values — and the move from “defense” to “war” signals an embrace of ambition, anger, and cruelty rather than virtue.
— Stoics judge the morality of military action by its intent: is it for justice and the common good, or for dominance and destruction?
— Populist leaders often confuse performative strength with true moral strength; Stoics would remind us that virtue, not spectacle, is the real measure of power.
— As Seneca reminds us, our task while we live is to practice humanity, not to be a terror to others.
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If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
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23:51
Can Stoics Eat Meat?
In this episode I dig into the Stoic approach to diet and the perennial “should Stoics eat meat?” question. I lay out what “living in accordance with Nature” really means (Logos, not tree-hugging shorthand), why eating animals isn’t inherently un-Stoic, and where our reasoning can go vicious—especially with industrialized, commodified animal agriculture. I also talk through practical ways contemporary Stoics can eat more justly without pretending to be sages or purists.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— “According to Nature” = aligning choices with the Logos (the rational order of the cosmos), not suppressing feelings or chasing outcomes.
— Eating meat is a Stoic indifferent; what matters is the reasoning and method behind it. Killing as part of a balanced, natural cycle can be compatible with virtue; factory-style exploitation is not.
— Outcome-chasing (“ends justify the means”) isn’t Stoic. We judge the justice of our choices, not their hoped-for results.
— A sage-like pattern would be seasonal, mostly plant-forward eating, with animal products used thoughtfully and sparingly, sourced in ways that allow other beings to flourish.
— Practical steps: favor small/ethical producers, reduce single-use indulgence, buy what you need, recycle/compost, and treat dining-out choices with awareness (while accepting we won’t be perfect).
— The real Stoic question isn’t “meat or no meat?” but “Is how this food was produced—and why I’m choosing it—truly in accordance with Nature?”
To learn more about Tanner, please visit
https://tannerocampbell.com
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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23:45
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23:45
Should Stoics Care About The Environment?
In this episode I explore the Stoic perspective on the environment — how we should think about our roles and responsibilities toward nature, and whether caring for the natural world is a Stoic duty or an indulgence in trying to control what we cannot. Along the way, I share examples of real-world environmental issues, discuss the balance between regulation and freedom, and outline some practical ways we can each live “according to Nature” in our daily lives.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— Asking “What would the Sage do?” helps us check our impulses and aim for wiser decisions about environmental responsibility.
— For Stoics, the environment is not just scenery — it is literally part of Nature (capital N), the divine order of the cosmos, and therefore worthy of our care.
— Global warming and climate breakdown are indifferents, but how we choose to respond to them can be virtuous or vicious.
— Individual action matters, even if small, but systemic issues like over-commercialization and corporate pollution require collective attention and regulation.
— Living according to Nature means balancing gratitude for what we already have with responsible choices that support sustainability and justice.
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
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22:31
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22:31
What If It Actually Is My Job?
In this episode I reflect on the idea of responsibility through the lens of Spider-Man’s famous question, “What if it is my job?” I talk about how we can discern whether something really falls to us or not, how our roles and duties guide those decisions, and why happiness isn’t the point of life for a Stoic — virtue is. Along the way, I share thoughts on gut reactions, role-based reasoning, and how we can both accept where we are and still strive for better.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— Stoics should be cautious of following gut or heart impulses, since these are often driven by immediate emotions rather than reason.
— Our roles in life (parent, spouse, citizen, friend, etc.) help determine whether something “is our job” or not, and when no role obligates us, we can weigh whether new responsibilities can be taken on justly.
— Happiness is not about external circumstances but about who we are; contentment and striving can coexist when both are approached with justice and gratitude.
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
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18:02
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18:02
A Stoic's Perspective on Immigration (Broadly)
In this episode I explore how Stoic principles apply to the controversial and often emotionally charged topic of immigration. Using the Circles of Concern as a framework, I examine why Stoics must care for all members of the Cosmopolis, even when cultural differences challenge us. I also break down why preserving culture “at all costs” is un-Stoic, and how moral reasoning—not fear, nationalism, or rigid legality—should guide immigration policy and enforcement. Real-world examples, from COVID-era mask debates to refugee scenarios, help illustrate how Stoic justice differs from legal justice and why discernment is essential.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
Stoicism calls us to care for everyone in the Cosmopolis, even when differences exist, but requires reasoned discernment about how to act in distant circles of concern
Preserving culture “at all costs” is not Stoic; the only pursuit worth that cost is perfect moral knowledge
Stoic justice is based on moral reasoning and context, not on strict adherence to law or partisan ideology
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
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Stoicism is the pursuit of Virtue (Aretê), which was defined by the Ancient Greeks as "the knowledge of how to live excellently," Stoicism is a holistic life philosophy meant to guide us towards the attainment of this knowledge through the development of our character. While many other Stoicism podcasts focus on explaining Ancient Stoicism in an academic or historical context, Practical Stoicism strives to port the ancient wisdom of this 2300-plus-year-old Greek Philosophy into contemporary times to provide practical advice for living today, not two millennia ago. Join American philosopher of Stoicism Tanner Campbell, every Monday and Friday, for new episodes.
Brasil