Orlando Stoics

Every Sunday, a new lecture. Our meeting begins at 9:00 AM with informal conversation, followed by a focused dialogue at 9:15 AM, and an open Q&A discussion afterward.

This week, we continue to explore what intelligence is and where it resides. If intelligence does not live inside the mind, then what can count as intelligence at all? Must intelligence belong only to humans, or even to minds? Or can it exist at the level of objects, systems, and structures in the world?

We begin with Graham Harman, who argues that objects exist independently of how we think about them. For Harman, reality is not exhausted by human perception, interpretation, or use. Objects have their own existence and their own powers, whether or not anyone is aware of them. This challenges the idea that intelligence or meaning must depend on a human viewpoint. It opens the possibility that intelligence can be understood at the level of objects themselves, not just inside conscious minds.

We then turn to John Doyle, who approaches intelligence from an engineering perspective. Doyle argues that complex systems should be understood as informational structures shaped by constraints, tradeoffs, and control mechanisms. Intelligence, on this view, is not a mysterious inner property. It is something that emerges when systems reliably manage complexity, uncertainty, and risk. An intelligent system is one that maintains order and function under pressure. Intelligence becomes something that can be built, tested, and engineered.

Finally, we look at Hilary Putnam, who rejected the idea that understanding depends on the material substance of the mind. Putnam argued that what matters is function, not physical makeup. If a system performs the right kinds of operations, then it can count as understanding, regardless of whether it is made of neurons, silicon, or something else. Intelligence, on this view, is not tied to biology. It is tied to what a system does.

Together, these thinkers shift our focus away from inner mental meanings and toward object level reality. Intelligence becomes something real, structured, and functional. It exists in systems, architectures, and patterns of organization. It can be informational rather than psychological. And it can be engineered rather than merely observed.

This shift has major consequences for how we think about artificial intelligence. If intelligence is object level, informational, and functional, then the key questions change. What structures support intelligent behavior? What constraints shape reliable performance? And what does it mean to build systems that act intelligently in the world?

Join Plato’s Cave and the Orlando Stoics for a discussion on objects, systems, intelligence, and the philosophical foundations that connect ontology with engineering reality.

READING MATERIALS
Graham Harman
Graham Harman:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Harman
Object Oriented Ontology (overview):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-oriented_ontology
Tool Being:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool-Being

John Doyle
John C. Doyle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Doyle
Robust Control and Complexity:
https://www.cds.caltech.edu/~doyle/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Complexity and Robustness (overview):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robust_control

Hilary Putnam
Hilary Putnam:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Putnam
Functionalism (philosophy of mind):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functionalism_(philosophy_of_mind)
The Meaning of “Meaning”:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_%22Meaning%22

TIMEZONES
For our members in other states:
6:00 AM — Pacific Time USA
7:00 AM — Mountain Time USA
8:00 AM — Central Time USA
9:00 AM — Eastern Time USA
For members in other countries, please convert time using:
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com

The meeting begins at 9:00 AM Eastern, with dialogue starting 9:15 AM sharp.

Join us for our monthly conversation with a scholar in Modern Stoicism or another branch of philosophy. This month, we welcome Kasey Pierce, author of 365 Ways to Be More Stoic: A Day-By-Day Guide to Practical Stoicism.

We will explore how Stoicism offers practical wisdom for navigating modern life. Kasey will share insights on handling difficult situations and challenging people, managing anger, worry, and emotional reactivity, embracing moderation, and cultivating meaning while living with greater integrity.

Kasey will also discuss themes from her forthcoming book The Rescuer Trap, including the idea of “values chameleons”—the tendency to adopt a partner’s values to preserve a relationship—and how Stoicism can help individuals maintain personal integrity and healthy emotional boundaries.

Our group fosters open-minded, respectful dialogue on Stoicism and its intersections with science, culture, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). We are committed to thoughtful discussion and intellectual growth. When views differ, we agree to disagree.

The conversation will be hosted by Joe Bullock, followed by a Q&A session where attendees can ask Kasey their questions directly.

We look forward to an engaging discussion!

TIME
The meeting time is Noon Eastern (USA), 11AM Central, 10AM Mountain, 9AM Pacific. For our international friends, please convert time with this free tool: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

ZOOM INFO
Click to start meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86515406429
If you don't have a computer with camera or mic, then you can attend by telephone. Dial one of these numbers and add meeting ID 865 5984 3870#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US

GENERAL
In general, Stoicism teaches us how to handle difficult people and events, how to avoid anger and worry, and overall to use moderation in life. A Stoic practice can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Our group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations on Stoicism and how it relates to science, culture, philosophy, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions. Our group does NOT discuss religion or politics.

This event is free and open to the public.

Esta reunión es cada miércoles a las 7 p.m. EST
CALENDARIO
EPICTETO DISERTACIONES POR ARRIANO
1/7/2026 I SOBRE LO QUE DEPENDE DE NOSOTROS Y LO QUE NO DEPENDE DE NOSOTROS
1/14/2026 II CÓMO PODRÍA UNO EN CUALQUIER SITUACIÓN SALVAGUARDAR SU DIGNIDAD PERSONAL
1/21/2026 III CÓMO SE PODRÍAN OBTENER LAS CONSECUENCIAS DE QUE LA DIVINIDAD SEA PADRE DE LOS HOMBRES
1/28/2026 IV SOBRE EL PROGRESO
2/4/2026 V CONTRA LOS ACADÉMICOS 2/11/2026 VI SOBRE LA PROVIDENCIA
2/18/2026 VII SOBRE EL USO DE LOS RAZONAMIENTOS EQUÍVOCOS, HIPOTÉTICOS
2/25/2026 VIII QUE LAS CAPACIDADES DIALÉCTICAS NO CARECEN DE RIESGOS PARA LOS NO INSTRUIDOS
3/4/2026 IX DE CÓMO LLEGARÍA UNO A LAS CONSECUENCIAS DE NUESTRO PARENTESCO CON LA DIVINIDAD
3/11/2026 X A LOS QUE SE ESFUERZAN POR HACER CARRERA EN ROMA
3/18/2026 XI SOBRE EL CARIÑO FAMILIAR
3/25/2026 XII SOBRE LA SATISFACCIÓN
4/1/2026 XIII CÓMO ES POSIBLE HACERLO TODO DE MODO QUE AGRADE A LOS DIOSES
4/8/2026 XIV QUE LA DIVINIDAD CONTEMPLA A TODOS
4/15/2026 XV QUÉ PROMETE LA FILOSOFÍA
4/22/2026 XVI SOBRE LA PROVIDENCIA
4/29/2026 XVII QUE LA LÓGICA ES NECESARIA
5/6/2026 XVIII QUE NO HAY QUE ENFURECERSE CON QUIENES SE EQUIVOCAN
5/13/2026 XIX QUÉ ACTITUD HAY QUE MANTENER FRENTE A LOS TIRANOS
5/20/2026 XX DE CÓMO LA RAZÓN ES ESPECULATIVA SOBRE SÍ MISMA
5/27/2026 XXI A LOS QUE QUIEREN SER ADMIRADOS
6/3/2026 XXII SOBRE LAS PRESUNCIONES
6/10/2026 XXIII EN RESPUESTA A EPICURO
6/17/2026 XXIV CÓMO HAY QUE LUCHAR CONTRA LAS CIRCUNSTANCIAS DIFÍCILES
6/24/2026 XXV SOBRE LO MISMO
7/1/2026 XXVI CUÁL HA DE SER LA NORMA DE VIDA
7/8/2026 XXVII DE CUÁNTAS MANERAS SE PRESENTAN LAS REPRESENTACIONES Y QUÉ AYUDAS HAY QUE TENER A MANO FRENTE A ELLAS
7/15/2026 XXVIII QUE NO HAY QUE IRRITARSE CON LOS HOMBRES Y QUÉ COSAS SON PEQUEÑAS Y CUÁLES GRANDES ENTRE LOS HOMBRES
7/22/2026 XXIX SOBRE EL APLOMO
7/29/2026 XXX QUÉ HAY QUE TENER A MANO EN LAS DIFICULTADES

ZONAS HORARIAS

Hora de encuentro (EE. UU.):
19:00 h, hora del este
18:00 h, hora central
17:00 h, hora de las montañas
16:00 h, hora del Pacífico

Para nuestros amigos internacionales:
Conviertan la hora con la herramienta gratuita
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

ENLACE ZOOM

HAGA CLIC PARA COMENZAR LA REUNIÓN - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7156108004

Si no tienes una computadora con cámara, también puedes marcar usando un teléfono. Elige uno de estos números y agrega el ID 7156108004#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US

Nuestro grupo disfruta de conversaciones abiertas y respetuosas sobre el estoicismo y su relación con la ciencia, la cultura, la filosofía, otros sistemas de creencias e incluso la cultura popular (libros y películas). A veces "acordamos estar en desacuerdo", pero el objetivo a largo plazo es mejorar nuestras mentes a través de debates grupales.

En general, el estoicismo nos enseña cómo manejar personas y eventos difíciles, cómo evitar la ira y la preocupación y, sobre todo, a utilizar la moderación en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida.

Esta reunión es gratuita y abierta al público.