7 ms·
Indifference - bad choice of word. It makes it sound like apathy.
by return0 10y ago
Indifference - bad choice of word. It makes it sound like apathy.
- kwhitefoot 10y agoNot at all. Indifference is quite a different thing. Apathy is pretty much the opposite of Stoicism. Here is a paragraph from Marcus Aurelius: XVII. So live as indifferent to the world and all worldly objects, as one who liveth by himself alone upon some desert hill. For whether here, or there, if the whole world be but as one town, it matters not much for the place. Let them behold and see a man, that is a man indeed, living according to the true nature of man. If they cannot bear with me, let them kill me. For better were it to die, than so to live as they would have thee. Remember, Aurelius was a soldier and emperor. These are not the words of someone given to apathy. It's all about taking control of oneself.
- Luc 10y agoTrue enough, but in the common, modern use of the word 'indifference' can be a synonym for 'apathy'...
- return0 10y agoSo, indifference in the sense of non-indulgence, not "not caring".
- throwanem 10y agoConnotations matter, too, though. Indifferent as you may be to them, others do not necessarily share your equanimity.
- erikb 10y agoThis may be the result of translation, right? Who says the translator has really thought if indifference is the right word in this sentence.
- andrei_says_ 10y agoMaybe Equinimity could be a better option? heard it hundreds of times during my vipassana retreat.
- throwanem 10y agoThat is a much better choice of word. Where "indifference" connotes negatively (not caring about something you should care about), "equanimity" connotes very positively (maintaining an even temper and a mind unclouded by instinctual reaction in circumstances where others fall to rage or terror; "keeping your head when all about you are losing theirs").
- adrianratnapala 10y agoI don't mind the choice of the word, but if you don't then "equanimity" might suite you better.