The teacher of Epictetus deserves more attention than he gets.
Michael returns to Musonius and pulls out three themes: philosophical minimalism, a complicated egalitarianism, and surprisingly specific practical advice. Musonius distrusts overly academic philosophy. He wants simple arguments that appeal to common sense, then action. He argues women should study philosophy because they share the same capacity for reason—but still maintains distinct roles based on natural differences. And he gets remarkably concrete: raw food diets, growing out your hair, never pressing charges for assault, physical labor as the ideal job for a philosopher.
Musonius doesn’t fit neatly into modern categories.
Previous episode:
(06:00) Philosophical minimalism: simple arguments, then practice
(14:00) Why fewer strong arguments beat many weak ones
(19:00) Complicated egalitarianism: equal as humans, different in roles
(26:00) The middle ground between traditionalism and progressivism
(31:00) Controversial practical advice begins
(33:00) Physical labor as excellent work for philosophers
(35:00) Marriage, children, and conservative sexual ethics
(39:00) When to disobey your father
(46:00) Diet, dress, and developing calluses
(48:00) The case against luxury
(50:00) Why you should grow out your hair
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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations:
