Description
We live in an "age of outrage," where toxic discourse and incivility erode trust and undermine our ability to solve problems together. How can we restore constructive dialogue in a world shaped by algorithms that reward outrage?
In this insightful lecture, Diane Kalen-Sukra, author of "Save Your City," asks: "What would a Stoic say?"
She argues that the breakdown of civil discourse is not a superficial communication problem, but a "civic crisis". To find the antidote, Kalen-Sukra looks to the ancient wisdom of Stoicism, starting with its "moral prototype": Socrates.
Discover how Socrates and the Stoics viewed dialogue not as a debate to win, but as a "public duty" and a form of "soulcraft"—a shared practice of "reasoning together" for the common good. This talk bridges ancient philosophy with modern neuroscience to offer a practical discipline for civic renewal.
In this video, you will learn:
- Why civil discourse was, for Socrates, a "moral exercise" to awaken the soul, as demonstrated in Plato's *Republic*.
- The Stoic discipline of *Proseche* (attentiveness) and the importance of "preparing the self" before we speak.
- Three practical Stoic disciplines for engagement: Pause, Remember (invoking Marcus Aurelius's "they are my kin"), and Commit to the common good.
- How modern neuroscience confirms Stoic wisdom, revealing that reasoned dialogue creates "inter-brain synchrony" and strengthens the "neural circuits that make us capable of self-governance".
- Why a 40% decline in empathy since the 1980s is a threat to our *Logos* (shared reason).
- A "modern Stoic oath" to help us become "citizens of the Logos" and turn discourse into a form of "civic healing".
About the Speaker:
Diane Kalen-Sukra is a former city manager, consultant, and author of "Save Your City: How Toxic Culture Kills Community and What to Do About It".