The Stoic Heretic: Aristo of Chios (Episode 41)

Caleb Ontiveros -

Today, modern Stoics debates the role of physics and logic in the philosophy and the place of lifehacks and heuristics. Aristo had these debates hundred of years ago.

Aristo of Chios was an early Stoic heretic – someone who could have determined key parts of the philosophy, but because of the contingencies of history, did not.

In particular, he:

  • Rejected the logic and physics
  • Reject the idea of preferred indifferents
  • Rejection any use of precepts

In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss each of these mean, what the orthodox Stoics said about each of Aristo's challenges, and what they think about the issues today.

One of the best ways to understand what Stoicism is, is to engage in high-quality debate. Aristo of Chios helps us do that.

(02:12) Introduction

(09:17) The Rejection of Logic and Physics

(18:50) Rejecting Preferred Indifferents

(32:20) Rejecting Precepts

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