In this talk John argues that the spiritual exercise of the view from above addresses a central problem faced by those cultivating a stoic way of life, viz., how to bring about the transformational experiences and aspirational development so necessary to realizing a rational way of life even though such transformative experiences and aspirational changes of identity cannot be driven in an inferential manner. The talk explores the cognitive machinery involved in the exercise and explain how the exercise activates that machinery in the service of the transformation of perspectival and participatory knowing and thereby deepens understanding, overcomes absurdity, and provokes sensibility transcendence.

This talk is followedup by a "view from above" exercise by Donald Robertson.

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Toronto is the home to the largest Stoic community in the world. On September 8, 2019, Stoicism Toronto hosted StoiconX Toronto, a conference on Stoic practice. The Modern Stoic movement has found itself and is now in the process of discovering and developing ways to practice both individually and collectively. Speakers included Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson, Chuck Chakrapani, and John Vervaeke.

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