Episode 36 – Perception: The Dangers of Comparison

This episode tackles the pervasive modern problem of social comparison, citing Theodore Roosevelt's wisdom that "comparison is the thief of joy". It argues that this habit of constantly measuring ourselves against others' achievements, possessions, or perceived happiness is a guaranteed path to misery. The core solution offered is rooted in ancient Stoic philosophy, which provides a timeless framework for shifting focus away from others and back onto one's own path.

The fundamental Stoic tool for combating comparison is the "dichotomy of control," which distinguishes between what is up to us and what is not. The episode explains that our judgments, choices, and character are within our control, while external things like wealth, reputation, and others' successes are not. By focusing our energy exclusively on our own internal world and actions, the compulsion to compare ourselves based on external metrics naturally diminishes. This requires understanding that for the Stoics, virtue is the only true good, and external things are merely "indifferents".

The discussion uses examples like Seneca and Socrates to show how this mindset frees individuals from the anxiety of chasing wealth and fame. The concept of prokopē, or progress, is introduced as the proper metric for self-evaluation, where one measures themselves against their past self, not against others. The episode concludes that by mastering our judgments and focusing on our own virtuous progress, we can reclaim our joy from the trap of comparison.