Stoa Conversations: Stoicism Applied · Stoa

Essential Stoic Concepts: Indifferents (Episode 136)

·56 min·5 clips

Caleb and Michael reveal how indifferents shape 80% of daily decisions, unlike just following the crowd.

This episode of Stoa Conversations explores the Stoic concept of "indifferents," which are things outside of one's moral character. Hosts Caleb Andoveros and Michael Tremblay, who guide practical applications of Stoic philosophy, structure the conversation to clarify this fundamental idea. They aim to provide listeners with a moderately good understanding and address common confusions surrounding the term. Michael Tremblay explains that in Stoicism, only virtue and vice are considered good or bad, while nearly everything else falls under the category of indifferents. He lists specific examples, including health, pleasure, pain, reputation, wealth, and social relationships. The hosts assert that these indifferents constitute the bulk of a person's life and daily experience. They estimate that roughly 80% of our daily decisions involve navigating these indifferent things, such as choosing which to pursue or avoid. The concept is framed as central to living a Stoic life correctly and for the right reasons, distinct from simply following common behavior. A key function of indifferents is that they provide the material upon which our virtuous character acts. The discussion positions understanding indifferents as a prerequisite for properly exercising virtue in the real world. A central insight is that labeling something as "indifferent" does not mean it is unimportant or should be ignored in daily life. Instead, indifferents are the very things we must engage with thoughtfully to practice Stoicism. The hosts clarify that while indifferents themselves are not good or bad, our choices regarding them can be virtuous or vicious. This creates a crucial distinction between the intrinsic value of an object and the moral quality of our actions toward it. The conversation suggests that mastering this distinction is what allows a person to maintain tranquility regardless of external circumstances. A memorable point is that good character is developed and expressed precisely through our interactions with these preferred or dispreferred indifferents. The tone is educational and conversational, with the hosts adopting a structured, tutorial-like approach to unpacking philosophical terminology. Their style is collaborative and aimed at making ancient concepts accessible for modern application. Listeners interested in practical ethics and applying Stoic principles to everyday decision-making would find this episode highly relevant. Someone seeking a historical or purely academic analysis of Stoic texts might find the discussion too introductory or applied.

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