Quotes from Massimo Pigliucci

In this connection, unlike their Christian counterparts, Hindus are not disturbed with anavasth? (infinite regresses). The necessity to posit a "first cause" that had no previous cause, as the Christian philosopher Thomas Aquinas suggested, does not appear on the Hindu radar. So there are some metaphysical questions that are neither asked nor answered by Hindus.

It is also about keeping in mind what is and what is not under our control, focusing our efforts on the former and not wasting them on the latter. It is about practicing virtue and excellence and navigating the world to the best of our abilities, while being mindful of the moral dimension of all our actions.

Cicero concluded that "the actual hitting of the mark [is] to be chosen but not to be desired,

the nature of science is not that of a steady, linear progression toward the Truth, but rather a tortuous road, often characterized by dead ends and U-turns, and yet ultimately inching toward a better, if tentative, understanding of the natural world.

One of the key tenets of Stoicism is that we ought to recognize, and take seriously, the difference between what we can and cannot master.

This willingness to entertain more than one idea as worthy and the respect shown for minority opinions are attitudes that draw me to Jewish thought. Differences in opinion are appreciated and encouraged. Sometimes, they even provide a source of amusement. In modern times, we like to quip, "Two Jews, three opinions.

At the heart of the Torah, in the middle of the book of Leviticus, we find the commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (19:18).

Nada emancipa tanto la mente» como adoptar un punto de vista racional; y nada te sitúa en una posición mejor y más objetiva para hacer frente a los problemas.

To paraphrase Ben Zoma: "Who is wise? The one who learns from all traditions." I have learned valuable lessons from other traditions while maintaining my own identity and beliefs. This teaching also calls me to listen to those whose political opinions differ from mine. How wise our world would become if only we would all learn from each other!

De qué sirve volver a los sufrimientos pasados y ser infeliz porque tiempo atrás lo fuimos?

The Daoist way cultivates the habit of embracing experience immediately, on its own terms, and without preconceptions. Zhuangzi suggests that our mind is like the mirror in stillness and the echo in responding. It focuses on removing judgments and obstacles caused by emotions while endorsing acuity.

I came to understand later that the requirement to extirpate anger in the Buddhist and Stoic cases has to do with the primacy of ethics in both philosophies. The aim of ethics is to do good, to reduce pain and suffering (dukkha), and, if possible, to bring happiness in its stead. Anger, at least in one standard mode, aims to hurt, to do harm, to inflict suffering. And one should never aim to do that.

Actuar con moderación, ver las cosas no solo desde nuestra perspectiva, descubrir aquello que está fuera de nuestro control, desarrollar la empatía, asumir la autocrítica, analizar las causas de nuestra ira e impaciencia… Esto es lo que este extraordinario manual nos permite aprender al aplicar la filosofía estoica en nuestro día a día.

Too often, religions think that unless religious people are allowed special powers and privileges to advance religion and affect the lives of many people outside of church, they are not getting legal equality.

Existen dos cosas que es menester cortar: el temor a lo futuro y la memoria de las molestias pasadas: éstas ya no me atañen, aquél aún no.»

We are born only once and cannot be born twice, and must forever live no more. You don't control tomorrow, yet you postpone joy. Life is ruined by putting things off, and each of us dies without truly living. —Epicurus, Principal Doctrines

One of my favorite modern readings, found in the Reform movement's prayer book, describes what I believe to be the true power of prayer: Prayer invites God's Presence to suffuse our spirits, God's will to prevail in our lives. Prayer may not bring water to parched fields, nor mend a broken bridge, nor rebuild a ruined city. But prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, [and] rebuild a weakened will.2

The Daoist way asks us to shen shi ?? (to have an awareness of propensity or optimize possibilities). The difference between imposing your will and following shi is whether one sets up a goal for actions or allows oneself to be carried along by the propensity of things. Does one impose a plan on things or rely on the potential inherent factors in a changing process?

no importa lo que soportas, sino cómo lo soportas».

Perhaps the greatest threat to any sense of coherence to reality is posed by the existence of pain and suffering. Christianity provides a series of mental maps that allow for illness and suffering to be seen as coherent, meaningful, and potentially positive in terms of fostering personal growth and development.

las dificultades representan oportunidades para convertirte en una persona mejor y, con la práctica, es posible emocionarse con esas oportunidades. La virtud es un regalo que perdura:

Secular humanism rightly looks to reason and science, but lingering there is not enough. Religions hasten to tie secularism down to materialism, and link materialism with egoism, nihilism, and anarchy. Compared to that portrayal, spirituality or even supernaturalism might look sane and safe.

Secular humanism finds that human life is meaningful and worthy, for no better reason than we judge life to be meaningful and worthy. Needing to be told by a higher authority how life is meaningful only deprives our lives of their intrinsic worth. Dignity and autonomy cannot depend on someone else, not even a god, who decides that you are worthy—one must affirm one's own right to live for oneself.

Change is an intrinsic and everlasting condition of all configurations, regardless of human desire, will, or planning. Thus, uncertainty is a vital part of our lives. It is not something external or temporal. Uncertainty is not a problem that needs to be corrected but rather a condition to be prepared for and accepted. One can bear or react to uncertainty passively or embrace it and deal with it in an active and spontaneous way.