Simply Seeking Not to Screw Up: A Formal Foundation in Finance and Philosophy

Do you ever notice formal patterns that seem to occur in quite different material domains? I occasionally do, and it’s always an intriguing type of thing to notice. Lately, I’ve been observing a sort of principle of praxis which occurs both in financial investing and in philosophy, and perhaps in medicine as well. In Financial Investing In financial investing or trading, this is essentially the … Continue reading Simply Seeking Not to Screw Up: A Formal Foundation in Finance and Philosophy

SeekerFiveMay 28, 2024May 28, 20241 Comment

Creativity

Recovering the Original Meaning of Philosophy

That we come to know of this ancient idea of the philosopher and philosophy is not trivial. I say “come to know” because it isn’t simply that we don’t pay enough attention to it. The idea seems somehow to be hidden and fairly unknown, even though it ought to be evident and well-known. This is all the more curious because… Continue reading Recovering the Original Meaning of Philosophy

SeekerFiveSeptember 26, 2023December 28, 20232 Comments

Creativity

Marcus Aurelius: What Is a Philosopher?

I think the claim that Marcus Aurelius would not have thought himself a philosopher is incorrect. At the same time, the way it is incorrect is very interesting. Exploring this will show us some important things about what philosophy and philosophers were in the ancient world, what they are perceived to be now, and how we might choose to regard and engage in philosophy going forward. Continue reading Marcus Aurelius: What Is a Philosopher?

SeekerFiveSeptember 14, 2023December 28, 202311 Comments

Pointless Overthinking

Four ways we may stumble in attempting to live Stoically

Have you encountered these difficulties in attempting to live Stoically? (Living philosophically?) After a conversation I had, some time ago, about living as a Stoic philosopher, I found myself wondering what pitfalls and stumbling blocks a person is likely to encounter when they try seriously to integrate Stoic teachings and practice into their life. Four things came to mind almost at once. I’m going to … Continue reading Four ways we may stumble in attempting to live Stoically

SeekerFiveJuly 6, 2023July 4, 20239 Comments

Creativity, Inspiration, Life Hacks, Personal Development

“No Fair”: Fairness isn’t real

“No fair,” cries my son when he thinks his sister got a bigger piece of candy. “No fair,” he cries when I tell him he can’t go outside and play until he cleans his room. I politely remind him that sometimes, life isn’t fair. We see this often with children, but we don’t recognize it in ourselves as adults. How many times have you ever … Continue reading “No Fair”: Fairness isn’t real

formerwritersSeptember 19, 2022September 18, 202226 Comments

Creativity

3 Stoic Exercises to Achieve Tranquility and Inner Peace

In this blog post on the philosophy of Stoicism I want to explore 3 practical Stoic techniques that I have found particularly useful for attaining confidence and tranquility of the mind. If you take a step back and look at your life from a cosmic perspective you will realize how small and insignificant you are compared to the enormity of the universe. Consider this – … Continue reading 3 Stoic Exercises to Achieve Tranquility and Inner Peace

formerwritersSeptember 3, 2022September 3, 20225 Comments

Uncategorized

Amor Fati and The Acceptance of What is Necessary

This idea of surrendering ourselves to something beyond our control is foreign to our natural inclinations as human beings. At our core we are meaning making creatures who tirelessly seek to rid the world of uncertainty, and have power over our natural environment. We develop myths, rituals, belief systems, and socio-political institutions all in an attempt to influence the outcome in our favour – to shape our … Continue reading Amor Fati and The Acceptance of What is Necessary

formerwritersAugust 13, 2022August 13, 20223 Comments

Uncategorized

Prepare for Days That Kick You in the Face

One night after class, I had a conversation with a student who rarely misses. I mentioned to him about having to cut back on his training in the future if he gets married and has kids. His reply was, “I won’t get married if she won’t let me train three or four times a week.” While this sentiment displays his determination and passion for our … Continue reading Prepare for Days That Kick You in the Face

formerwritersJuly 18, 2022July 17, 202214 Comments

Uncategorized

Are You Using Your Fear Properly?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – attributed to Mark Twain I had a friend ask me about fear, how to think about it and handle it. I … Continue reading Are You Using Your Fear Properly?

formerwritersJuly 4, 2022July 4, 202210 Comments

Pointless Overthinking

The pitfall wherein we become unfeeling

I think one pitfall we tend to encounter, when we try to put Stoic teachings into practice, is that of becoming unfeeling, “like a stone.” I mentioned four such difficulties in a previous post. Here, I want to expand on this particular one. What this expression means, becoming or being “unfeeling like a stone,” is being emotionless, unfeeling. Or more likely, it means suppressing, or … Continue reading The pitfall wherein we become unfeeling

SeekerFiveApril 29, 2022July 4, 20233 Comments

Pointless Overthinking

Expanding Circles: Spiritual Exercises as a Bridge Towards Cosmopolitanism

As noted by the philosopher Aristotle, humans are ‘social animals’ who exist and thrive in communities. We have the ability to devise sophisticated institutions enabling us to co-operate with others across cultures and borders. We can see how interwoven our lives all are through the complex interdependencies in our economies, societies and in the natural environment. As humans, we exist in broader networks and are … Continue reading Expanding Circles: Spiritual Exercises as a Bridge Towards Cosmopolitanism

formerwritersApril 23, 2022April 23, 20224 Comments

Pointless Overthinking

A Stoic Approach to Fear

Seneca: A Stoic Life One of the things I admire about the Stoic philosophers is that they embodied the wisdom that they preached. Seneca, one of the three notable Stoics (along with Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus), used the philosophy of Stoicism to navigate the turmoil and uncertainties during his life. Although he maintained a high status in ancient Rome as a politician and financial clerk, … Continue reading A Stoic Approach to Fear

formerwritersFebruary 26, 2022February 26, 202211 Comments

silhouette of person sitting beside body of water

Pointless Overthinking

Marcus Aurelius: On Humility and Duty

We ought to do good to others as simply as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne Marcus Aurelius, Meditations In this day and age it is far too easy to become addicted to our ego. Through the internet and social media, we long for instant gratification and … Continue reading Marcus Aurelius: On Humility and Duty

formerwritersFebruary 5, 2022February 5, 202227 Comments

Uncategorized

The Meaning of Meaninglessness

Nihilism is a dangerous belief. The inability to make sense of it all leads many to conclude that life is entirely pointless. This, in turn, can lead to the belief that there is little point in trying at anything. Now, I’m not here to debate the existence of a grand creator. (Thank God, I hear you say.) I certainly don’t think there is anything wrong … Continue reading The Meaning of Meaninglessness