The Fossilized Stoic Way of Life: Nietzsche vs Stoicism (Episode 18)

Is our life really so painful and burdensome that it would be advantageous for us to trade it for a fossilized Stoic way of life? Things are not bad enough for us that they have to be bad for us in the Stoic style!

Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay talk about how Nietzsche challenges Stoics. The Stoics and Nietzsche agree on the idea that we are self-sufficient and on embracing fate, amor fati. However, Nietzsche thought that the idea of living in accordance with Nature was silly “self-tyranny.” What does that mean?

Caleb also confesses to reading Nietzsche too early in his life.

(01:52) Introduction

(06:50) Nietzsche's Philosophy

(14:15) Amor Fati

(18:52) Self-Sufficiency

(28:15) Nietzsche on Suffering

(39:16) Nietzsche on Nature

Stoa Conversations is Caleb Ontiveros and Michael Tremblay’s podcast on Stoic theory and practice.

Caleb and Michael work together on the Stoa app. Stoa is designed to help you build resilience and focus on what matters. It combines the practical philosophy of Stoicism with modern techniques and meditation.

Become more Stoic with the Stoa app.

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: https://www.stoaletter.com

Caleb Ontiveros has a background in academic philosophy (MA) and startups. His favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/calebmontiveros

Michael Tremblay also has a background in academic philosophy (PhD) where he focused on Epictetus. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His favorite Stoic is Epictetus. Follow him here: https://twitter.com/_MikeTremblay

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations.