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[Sushan]

This topic is about the August 2023 Philosophy Book of the Month, First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough by Mark Unger

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The narrative of Mary Ellen Louis in this book presents us with a profound exploration of human intuition and resilience. These concepts, particularly within the context of maternal love, can lead us to the philosophical reflections of the ancient Stoics.

The Stoics, particularly Epictetus, emphasized the power of the mind in shaping our perceptions and responses to external events. While we might not have control over everything that happens to us, we can control our responses. Mary Ellen Louis seems to echo this Stoic principle. Faced with her son's devastating diagnosis, her intuition and steadfast determination showcase a potent example of Stoic resilience.

We see a mother's intuition alerting her that something is amiss with her child and, subsequently, her unyielding will to keep her son alive, to foster hope and happiness despite the grim prognosis. This instinctive drive and emotional resilience reflect the core essence of Stoicism - the idea of maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity.

Can a deep-seated intuition, like that of a parent, coupled with resilience, guide us in embodying stoic principles when we encounter life’s adversities?

[Eckhart Aurelius Hughes]

We see a mother's intuition alerting her that something is amiss with her child and, subsequently, her unyielding will to keep her son alive, to foster hope and happiness despite the grim prognosis. This instinctive drive and emotional resilience reflect the core essence of Stoicism - the idea of maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity.

Can a deep-seated intuition, like that of a parent, coupled with resilience, guide us in embodying stoic principles when we encounter life’s adversities?

Good question! I think it can easily go both ways. Deep love-like feelings, such as a parent has for a child, can on the one hand easily be the perfect motivation to be strong, be resilient, and exercise free-spirited transcendence (e.g. bravery). But just as easily it can do the opposite and be the very thing that makes one desperate, clingy, and cower in fear or dishonest denial of the truth.

My own book talks about that razor's edge a lot as well as in it's comparisons between what it calls (1) true love vs (2) toxic pseudo-love, namely codependency and abusive love-hate relationships.

A terribly abusive parent who is miserable (i.e. lacking inner peace) still has a lot in common with a happy, truly loving parent.

As chaos theory teaches us, two sets of train tracks can start in nearly the same exact spot but end up going in very different directions and end up in very different places.

[Sushan]

We see a mother's intuition alerting her that something is amiss with her child and, subsequently, her unyielding will to keep her son alive, to foster hope and happiness despite the grim prognosis. This instinctive drive and emotional resilience reflect the core essence of Stoicism - the idea of maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity.

Can a deep-seated intuition, like that of a parent, coupled with resilience, guide us in embodying stoic principles when we encounter life’s adversities?

Good question! I think it can easily go both ways. Deep love-like feelings, such as a parent has for a child, can on the one hand easily be the perfect motivation to be strong, be resilient, and exercise free-spirited transcendence (e.g. bravery). But just as easily it can do the opposite and be the very thing that makes one desperate, clingy, and cower in fear or dishonest denial of the truth.

My own book talks about that razor's edge a lot as well as in it's comparisons between what it calls (1) true love vs (2) toxic pseudo-love, namely codependency and abusive love-hate relationships.

A terribly abusive parent who is miserable (i.e. lacking inner peace) still has a lot in common with a happy, truly loving parent.

As chaos theory teaches us, two sets of train tracks can start in nearly the same exact spot but end up going in very different directions and end up in very different places.

I appreciate the insight you've shared, particularly the analogy with the two sets of train tracks stemming from chaos theory. It's true that the intense emotions rooted in deep love, as between a parent and a child, can manifest in divergent ways. While Mary Ellen Louis's story exemplifies the transformative power of love leading to resilience and strength, there are indeed instances where this bond may result in fear, despair, or even denial.

Your distinction between "true love" and "toxic pseudo-love" is valuable in this discussion. It's important to recognize that even when the intent might be genuine love, the manifestation of that love can sometimes be harmful or misguided. It's also thought-provoking to consider that the starting point, the deep-seated emotion or intent, can be almost identical, yet the outcomes can be vastly different.

Your comment leads me to ponder: What factors or elements play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory from this starting point? Is it a culmination of personal experiences, internal beliefs, external influences, or perhaps a combination of all these? And to bring it back to Stoicism, can understanding and internalizing Stoic principles steer one more reliably toward the path of true love and resilience, as opposed to a path characterized by toxic behaviors and relationships?

[Zippy Kerubo]

Now i can agree that nothing can separate a mother and her child she always be protective till end of her life

[Sushan]

Now i can agree that nothing can separate a mother and her child she always be protective till end of her life

Absolutely, the connection between a mother and her child can indeed be incredibly strong and enduring. It is a unique bond that often moves a mother to go to great lengths for the welfare of her child, as illustrated in the narrative of Mary Ellen Louis in the book.

This brings us back to the philosophical reflections on Stoicism. This ancient school of thought doesn't just advocate for emotional resilience but encourages us to employ reason and wisdom in navigating the complexities of life. For a mother, such as Mary Ellen Louis, this might translate into not merely reacting to her child’s situation but responding to it thoughtfully and deliberately, driven by deep love and intuition. It's interesting to consider this sort of intuitive, deeply caring response as being in line with Stoic wisdom, which encourages us to focus on what we can control—our own actions and responses—and to approach even the most challenging situations with a level of equanimity.

Do you think that this form of deep, intuitive care—like that between a mother and her child—can be extended more broadly, encouraging us to approach all of life's challenges with a similar level of thoughtful resilience? Could this be a way for more people to integrate Stoic principles into their lives, using a sort of 'maternal' or 'parental' intuition and love as a guide?

[EBERE WRITES COCEPT]

This reminds me of my own mother’s resilience when my sibling was diagnosed with a serious illness. Like Mary Ellen Louis, my mother relied heavily on her intuition, sensing something was wrong long before the doctors confirmed it. Even in the face of difficult odds, she remained steadfast, staying positive and doing everything she could to ensure the best care. Her emotional strength, despite the uncertainty, was a clear example of Stoic resilience, choosing hope and action over despair. This experience showed me how powerful a parent’s intuition and will can be when confronting life’s toughest challenges.

[Sushan]

This reminds me of my own mother’s resilience when my sibling was diagnosed with a serious illness. Like Mary Ellen Louis, my mother relied heavily on her intuition, sensing something was wrong long before the doctors confirmed it. Even in the face of difficult odds, she remained steadfast, staying positive and doing everything she could to ensure the best care. Her emotional strength, despite the uncertainty, was a clear example of Stoic resilience, choosing hope and action over despair. This experience showed me how powerful a parent’s intuition and will can be when confronting life’s toughest challenges.

There’s something so profound about a parent’s ability to stay positive and focused during those times, even when everything feels uncertain. It’s like a blend of instinct and inner strength, a Stoic choice to face the pain head-on without letting it define the situation. Psychology actually backs up the idea that a parent’s intuition can be incredibly accurate; studies have shown that parents can often sense when something is wrong before any medical diagnosis is made. It’s amazing how much love and determination can drive people to act so powerfully.

From a philosophical perspective, do you think that this resilience and intuition are unique to parenthood, or can it be developed in other types of relationships or roles in life?