September 22 Daily Comments: Emperor and Slave

Chelsea remarked about Stoicism's emphasis on efficiency and how that shows up in their theory of emotions: we are supposed to accustom ourselves to examining an emotion such as regret and only assenting to those suggestions arising from regret which will further our life projects. We are also to train ourselves not to yield to those aspects of regret which hinder our life projects.

Jamie remarked that regret can be useful in learning from our mistakes: stoics (I hope) nowehere tell us not to learn from our mistakes. Jamie is correct that there are aspects of emotions that are helpful. Stoics are impressed by the aspects of emotions which distort our planning  and concentrate their focus on eliminating those. Does that amount to getting rid of emotions?

Cole wonders how predetermination fits with our choosing between right and wrong?

Dan wants to know if the Stoics would create a system of laws.
Bailly asks: do you mean would a group of Stoic sages create laws? or would a group of people committed to making progress toward becoming sages create laws? The answer might be different for each group.

Drew found himself delayed recenty:l he could have been disappointed and frustrated, but felt that thinking about stoicism helped him see that actually, he had some time on his hands in which he could accomplish something else.

Jared is struck by how last week it seemed fine to kill people, but this week we are stressing the golden rule. How can that be?