EPISODE · Jul 2, 2025 · 13 MIN
Plutarch, On Tranquility - Making Use Of Things And Circumstances - Sadler's Lectures
from Sadler's Lectures · host Lectures on classic and contemporary philosophical texts and thinkers by Gregory B. Sadler
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient Middle Platonist philosopher and biographer Plutarch's essay On Tranquility This episode focuses specifically on his examination of how we make use of or deal with (khēsthai, in Greek) things or matters (pragmata) abd the circumstances we find ourselves in. He uses an analogy which he says derives from Plato (which perhaps goes back to Socrates) of life as a game of dice. We first try to have a successful throw, and then, if we don't get the results we want, we need to make the best use out of the dice that come up. You can find the copy of the text I am using for this sequence on Plutarch's On Tranquility here - https://amzn.to/3GkzgYS To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler (Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
What this episode covers
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient Middle Platonist philosopher and biographer Plutarch's essay On Tranquility This episode focuses specifically on his examination of how we make use of or deal with (khēsthai, in Greek) things or matters (pragmata) abd the circumstances we find ourselves in. He uses an analogy which he says derives from Plato (which perhaps goes back to Socrates) of life as a game of dice. We first try to have a successful throw, and then, if we don't get the results we want, we need to make the best use out of the dice that come up. You can find the copy of the text I am using for this sequence on Plutarch's On Tranquility here - https://amzn.to/3GkzgYS To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler (Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
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Plutarch, On Tranquility - Making Use Of Things And Circumstances - Sadler's Lectures
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